Nina Dobrev Dating History: Exes Ian Somerhalder, Boyfriends

Elena Gilbert no more! The Vampire Diaries fans are used to seeing Nina Dobrev‘s seasons-long love triangle with Damon and Stefan Salvatore, however, the actress has quite the romantic past outside of the hit CW drama.

That said, Nina’s most notable relationship in Hollywood was with her Vampire Diaries costar Ian Somerhalder, who played the role of Damon. The pair dated for three years before calling it quits in 2013, and even though both parties have moved on — Ian married Nikki Reed in 2015 and Nina is dating snowboarder Shaun White — fans still can’t help but relive their ~epic~ love story.

Thankfully, Nina still has a good sense of humor about their history. In August 2020, she had a playful exchange with E! News on Instagram. The media outlet posted a photo of Ian hanging out with Paul Wesley, who played Stefan on The Vampire Diaries, and wrote, “POV: You’re Elena on The Vampire Diaries. Who are you choosing?”

Nina’s reply? “The bourbon,” referring to the Salvatore brothers’ favorite drink on the show. Of course, that wasn’t the first time Nina publicly acknowledged her former flame. After she and Ian split, there was a lot of speculation he cheated on her with Nikki, who happened to be Nina’s good friend.

To this day, Nina maintains their (sort of) love triangle never came between them and she is still close with Ian and Nikki. During a 2019 episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Nina set the record straight after a caller suggested her relationship with her ex and his wife is “weird.”

“I don’t think that’s weird at all,” Nina answered. “I think that’s great. I think, ‘Why can’t everyone be friends?’ I think that they have a beautiful baby, and they are happy and so am I, and what’s bad about that? I don’t see any problem with that.”

And happy she is! Nina went Instagram official with her current boyfriend, Shaun, in May 2020, and have been loved-up since. The pair has experienced major life events with one another so far, like the athlete’s retirement from snowboarding after the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Deal of the Day

This ‘Slimming’ Suit is Just $16 Today! View Deal

The actress celebrated her beau’s legacy in the sport with a heartfelt message via Instagram.

“I couldn’t be more proud. Of everything you have accomplished over the last 20+ years as a competitor and the man you have become. You are one of a kind,” she wrote in February 2022. “You are a true hero and you inspire me daily. The end of one chapter, means the beginning of an exciting new one with endless possibilities.”

Scroll through the gallery below to see Nina Dobrev’s complete dating history over the years.