Key Takeaways:
– Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev, stars of The Vampire Diaries, were in a real-life relationship from 2010 to 2013.
– Their public displays of affection brought the couple a lot of attention.
– Despite ending their relationship, the pair maintained professionalism on set, not letting personal history affect their work.
– Fans remain invested in their story and hope for a romantic reunion, despite both actors moving on to other relationships.
The Love Affair Between the Vampire Diaries Stars
In 2009, the CW show, The Vampire Diaries, introduced viewers to a love triangle so captivating, it transcended the screen. Starring Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev, and Paul Wesley, the series quickly enchanted young adults. Interestingly, the on-screen love story between Dobrev’s character and the dashing vampire brothers wasn’t just confined to the script—it kindled a real-life romance.
Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev began dating in 2010, one year after they started working together. Their coupling became the talk of the town, with their affectionate public appearances attracting widespread attention.
True Professionalism Amid Personal Matters
Nina Dobrev, in a 2012 interview with Seventeen, vouched for their professionalism despite their personal involvement. The aim was always to maintain a seamless work environment without any personal feelings interfering.
By 2013, the couple chose to separate after three years of dating. Despite their personal differences, they continued to work together for the remaining seasons of The Vampire Diaries. A representative assured fans that both celebrities were dedicated professionals, ensuring neither their work nor their friendship suffered because of the split.
Life After Their Breakup
Both actors have since moved on with their lives, with Somerhalder marrying actress Nikki Reed in 2015 and Dobrev dating Olympic snowboarder Shaun White. Yet, fans continue to hold on to the memory of the past romance between their beloved Vampire Diaries stars.
Fan Fascination Continues
The love story of Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev still captivates fans. Their public displays of affection, accompanied by their captivating on-screen performances, created an irresistible narrative that fans couldn’t help but get invested in.
When news of their breakup reached the fans, it was seen as a personal loss by many. Even today, any snippet of their past interactions fans the flames of hope in their hearts. A recent Instagram reel showing a past clip of the two at an awards ceremony acting adorably comfortable with each other has netizens yearning for a romantic reunion.
Fan Wishes and Reality
Fan comments on social media platforms reflect the strong desire to see the stars reunite. Imaginations run wild, with some hoping for an alternate universe where Somerhalder and Dobrev are happily married with kids. Despite these wishes, the reality remains: both stars have moved on to new relationships.
Vampire Diaries fans may take some solace in viewing all eight seasons of the series, available for streaming on Max. The on-screen chemistry between the stars of the long-beloved series continues to be a source of comfort, nostalgia and a reminder that, in the world of TV at least, their love story lives on.
Where is Nina Dobrev now?
Nina Dobrev: From Degrassi to International Stardom
Born Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva on January 9, 1989, in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nina Dobrev has become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Known professionally as Nina Dobrev, she is a Canadian actress who gained widespread recognition for her dual role as Elena Gilbert and Katherine Pierce on The CW’s supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries (2009–2015).
Early Life and Education
Nina was born to Michaela Dobreva, an artist, and Kamen Dobrev, a computer specialist. She has an older brother. At the age of two, her family relocated to Canada, settling in Scarborough, Toronto. When she was 10, she and her mother returned to Bulgaria for two years before moving back to Canada.
Growing up, Nina attended Vradenburg Junior Public School and J. B. Tyrrell Sr. Public School. She developed a passion for the arts early on, taking ballet and jazz classes and competing in rhythmic gymnastics. She also took acting classes at Armstrong Acting Studios in Toronto. Nina later attended Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts before enrolling at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) to study sociology. However, her burgeoning acting career led her to leave university before graduating.
Acting Career
Breakthrough with Degrassi
Nina’s first major acting role came in 2006 when she was cast as Mia Jones on the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation. She portrayed the character for three seasons, earning attention for her performance and setting the stage for future opportunities.
Rise to Fame with The Vampire Diaries
In 2009, Nina left Degrassi to take on the lead role of Elena Gilbert in The Vampire Diaries, a television adaptation of the popular book series. Her portrayal of Elena, as well as the 500-year-old vampire Katherine Pierce, showcased her versatility and garnered critical acclaim. She even played additional doppelgänger characters like Amara and Tatia, expanding her range within the series. After six successful seasons, Nina announced her departure from the show in 2015 but returned for the series finale in 2017.
Film Endeavors
Beyond television, Nina has appeared in several films. She had roles in Fugitive Pieces (2007) and Away from Her (2007) early in her career. In 2010, she appeared in Atom Egoyan’s Chloe. She starred in the film adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) as Candace Kelmeckis. In 2014, she featured in the comedy Let’s Be Cops.
Nina continued to build her filmography with roles in The Final Girls (2015), XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017)—which became her highest-grossing film—and the remake of Flatliners (2017). She also starred in the romantic comedies Dog Days (2018), Then Came You (2018), and Love Hard (2021).
Recent Projects
In 2018, Nina was cast as Clem in the CBS sitcom Fam, which premiered in January 2019. Although the show was canceled after one season, it marked her return to television comedy. She starred in the thriller Lucky Day (2019) and appeared in Run This Town (2020). In 2020, it was announced that she would star in and executive produce a television adaptation of the book series Woman 99.
Activism and Charity Work
Nina is actively involved in various charitable causes. She has supported Puma’s Project Pink, which funds breast cancer charities, and Hunger Bites, aiming to reduce hunger across Pennsylvania. She is also recognized for her long-term involvement with the WE movement, participating in volunteer trips to Kenya to help build schools and hosting WE Day events in Toronto and California. Additionally, she has supported the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Personal Life
Holding dual citizenship in Canada and Bulgaria, Nina is fluent in English and Bulgarian and conversant in French. After living in Atlanta during the filming of The Vampire Diaries, she moved to Los Angeles in 2015.
An entrepreneur as well, Nina has invested in various beverage companies and co-owns a wine brand called Fresh Vine Wine with dancer Julianne Hough.
In her personal life, Nina dated her Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder from 2010 to 2013. Since 2020, she has been in a relationship with retired professional snowboarder and Olympic gold medalist Shaun White.
Where is Ian Somerholder Now?
Ian Somerhalder: From ‘Lost’ to ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and Beyond
Ian Joseph Somerhalder, born on December 8, 1978, in Covington, Louisiana, is an American retired actor best known for his roles as Boone Carlyle on ABC’s “Lost” (2004–2010) and Damon Salvatore on The CW’s “The Vampire Diaries” (2009–2017).
Early Life
Somerhalder was born to Edna, a massage therapist of Choctaw and Irish descent from Mississippi, and Robert Somerhalder Sr., an independent building contractor with Cajun roots. He is the middle child, with an older brother and a younger sister. Raised in Covington, he attended Saint Paul’s School, a private institution where he developed an early interest in modeling and acting.
At the age of 10, Ian began modeling, a career he pursued until he was 13. Following his parents’ divorce when he was 14, he lived primarily with his mother. By 17, he decided to focus on acting and studied under renowned acting coach William Esper.
Career
Early Roles
In 2000, Somerhalder landed a starring role in the short-lived WB series “Young Americans,” a spin-off of “Dawson’s Creek,” portraying Hamilton Fleming. In 2002, he appeared as Paul Denton, a bisexual character, in “The Rules of Attraction,” an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s novel.
Breakthrough with “Lost”
Somerhalder’s major breakthrough came in 2004 when he was cast as Boone Carlyle in the hit series “Lost.” Although his character died in the first season, he returned for several episodes until the series finale in 2010. His portrayal made him the first major character to die on the show, and he described his experience on “Lost” as one of the greatest of his life.
“The Vampire Diaries” and Continued Success
In 2009, Ian took on the role of Damon Salvatore in “The Vampire Diaries,” which became The CW’s highest-rated series. His performance earned critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Teen Choice Awards and a People’s Choice Award. He also directed episodes starting in the third season and became a producer in the eighth season.
Other Projects
Somerhalder starred in the short film “Time Framed” (2013) and played Dr. Luther Swann in the Netflix series “V Wars” (2019–2020). He served as an executive producer on environmental documentaries “Kiss the Ground” (2020) and its follow-up “Common Ground” (2023), focusing on regenerative agriculture.
In a 2024 interview, Ian announced his retirement from acting to concentrate on producing and environmental activism, having relocated away from Los Angeles.
Philanthropy and Environmental Activism
Ian is deeply committed to environmental and animal rights causes. Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, he assisted in wildlife cleanup efforts and created public service announcements to encourage public involvement. He supports the St. Tammany Humane Society and has hosted charity fundraisers, including the “Bash on the Bayou.”
On his 32nd birthday in 2010, he launched the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, aiming to educate and engage people on environmental and animal protection issues. He actively participates in campaigns like the It Gets Better Project to support LGBT youth and has advocated for sustainable agricultural practices alongside ecologist Allan Savory.
Personal Life
Ian dated his “Vampire Diaries” co-star Nina Dobrev from 2010 to 2013. In 2014, he began a relationship with actress Nikki Reed, and the couple married on April 26, 2015, in Malibu, California. They have two children: a daughter born in 2017 and a son born in 2023.
While filming “Lost,” Ian and co-star Maggie Grace adopted a stray cat named Roo found on set. He maintains a close friendship with “Vampire Diaries” co-star Paul Wesley, and in 2020, they co-launched Brother’s Bond Bourbon, a straight bourbon whiskey brand.
Legacy
Ian Somerhalder’s career spans memorable roles in television history, marked by his dedication to his craft and his passion for environmental causes. His transition from acting to full-time activism and producing reflects his commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
