Nina Dobrev captured the spotlight as Elena Gilbert on the hit series The Vampire Diaries, but her journey to fame started long before Mystic Falls. Born on January 9, 1989 in Sofia, Bulgaria, Nina and her family moved to Canada when she was a child. She began acting while still in school, juggling her studies and auditions – a tough balancing act that set the stage for her future success. Before her breakout role, she cut her teeth as Mia Jones on Degrassi: The Next Generation, building experience and a reputation for hard work.
What often surprises fans is how determined Nina was to keep up with school during these early acting gigs. That kind of dedication carried over into her career, too: she’s played everything from a high-school doppelgänger to an action star, bringing the same energy she once put into gymnastics as a kid.
While The Vampire Diaries made her a household name (not to mention responsible for portraying not one, but three main characters – Elena, Katherine, and Amara), Nina’s talent has landed her roles in movies like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Let’s Be Cops, and Love Hard. Of course, not every project panned out. She’s had her share of setbacks – pilots that never aired, scripts that didn’t make it to production – but she’s kept pushing forward, using every experience as fuel.
Finding Love in Hollywood
Nina’s love life has been almost as closely followed as her acting career. Her three-year relationship with Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder from 2010 to 2013 was a constant source of interest for fans. Their real-life romance mirrored their on-screen relationship, but things got complicated after they broke up – especially since their characters had to keep pretending they were in love for the cameras. Nina handled it all with remarkable professionalism, continuing to work alongside Ian until she left the show in 2015. The whole experience seemed to steer her towards a more private approach when it comes to relationships.
After her split with Ian, Nina’s dating life has included some well-known names, but she’s mostly tried to keep things out of the tabloids. She dated actor Austin Stowell in 2015 and 2016; they went their separate ways after about seven months, citing the usual “busy schedules.” A low-key relationship with Glen Powell (2016-2017) followed, and then a romance with Grant Mellon in 2019 that fizzled out before the year was over.
These days, Nina seems genuinely happy with Olympic snowboarder Shaun White. The two first connected in early 2020 through mutual friends, and the pandemic actually brought them closer – they ended up quarantining together, giving their relationship a jump start. This time around, Nina’s been more willing to share sweet moments on social media, from goofy dance parties at home to cheering Shaun on at the ESPYs. “When you meet the right person, you want to show them off,” she said in a 2022 interview – a clear shift from her usually private ways.
Of course, with fame comes a constant swirl of rumors. Over the years, Nina’s been linked to everyone from Orlando Bloom to Zac Efron, usually after a group dinner or industry event gets overblown by tabloids. She’s learned to take it all in stride, choosing what to share (and what to ignore) as she goes.
Nina and Shaun recently celebrated their third anniversary together, and they’ve made no secret of their adventures, whether they’re hitting the slopes or relaxing at the beach. Engagement rumors make the rounds every now and then, but so far, they seem content to live in the moment and enjoy each other’s company.
Past Relationships
Shaun White
Grant Mellon
Glen Powell
Austin Stowell
Liam Hemsworth
Alexander Ludwig
Derek Hough
Derek Theler
Ian Somerhalder
Evan Williams
Benjamin Hollingsworth
Through every career twist and personal milestone, Nina Dobrev comes across as refreshingly grounded. She values authenticity, shared passions, and someone who understands the whirlwind of life in – and out – of the spotlight. As she keeps taking on new roles and new adventures, it looks like she’s found a partner who’s truly in sync with her life, both onscreen and off.