10 Things You Didn’t Know About Nina Dobrev And Ian Somerhalder’s Relationship

Published on July 26, 2016. Updated March 20, 2018

Rachel C

In their roles on The Vampire Diaries, Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder were caught up in a complicated love triangle amid the supernatural world of Mystic Falls. Perhaps it was the intensity of the show, or the fact that danger breeds romance, but the two of them started a real life relationship that lasted 3 years. The couple dated from 2010 to 2013, and have stayed friends since their split. Here are 10 things you may have not known about Nina and Ian’s magical romance.

10. Budding Romance

After being cast mates for more than a year, Ian and Nina began spending a little more one-on-one time together. Near the end of 2010, the couple were spotted hanging out in Australia as they visited tourist sites like the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. They even captured a fun moment while they went snorkeling in the ocean.

Tourism Port Douglas

9. Dating Rumors

Despite enjoying each other’s company, neither Ian nor Nina would confirm the rumors that they were dating. In February 2011, the two of them were seen enjoying a dinner at a restaurant in Atlanta, which led some fans to believe that they were finally making their relationship official. But in March 2011, Nina tried to quell any speculation that the two of them were an item. She told Teen Vogue, “A lot of people who work together end up dating, so it wouldn’t be unusual but I’ve never dated anyone I’ve worked with … but I’ve never dated anyone I’ve worked with.”

Bob Mahoney / © CW / Courtesy: Everett Collection

8. Meeting The Parents

Nina’s comments didn’t do much to stop speculation about their relationship, however, especially since the two of them were spotted less than 2 months later on a trip to Paris. Not only were they in the most romantic city in the world, but they also brought along both of their mothers – a strong suggestion that the two of them were much more than friends. Paparazzi took several pictures of them being affectionate towards each other as they did sightseeing around the city.

INFphoto.com

7. Formally Coming Out

In June 2011, the two of them stepped out as a couple when they were seen holding hands at the 2011 Much Music Awards in Toronto, Canada. Although the couple still didn’t formally announce they were together, there was no doubt the two of them were in love as neither of them could stop smiling. They were also seen stealing kisses backstage at the event.

mmva.muchmusic.com

6. Uneasiness

While the couple continued to display their affection publicly, they held off from discussing their relationship in interviews. It wasn’t until a year later, when the buzz around their relationship had calmed down, that Nina discussed her romance with her co-star. The star said she never intended to start a relationship with Ian, and tried to fight the feelings she had for him. “Sometimes you can’t help who you have a connection with, and you can only fight it for so long,” she told Seventeen in 2012. She added, “I didn’t want to be dating one of my co-stars – my goal on the show was to be professional.”

Quantrell D. Colbert / © CW / Courtesy: Everett Collection

5. Not Ready For Marriage

Like any celebrity romance, the tabloids were quick to make up stories about Ian and Nina’s relationship. In 2012, entertainment magazines claimed that Ian had proposed to Nina, and said she refused him. Hoping to dispel the rumors, Nina and Ian both spoke with Access Hollywood to set the story straight. Speaking to the site at the 2012 People’s Choice Awards, the actress said, “I’d heard some crazy story that I’d been proposed to, but I would be wearing a ring if I had one … I mean, that’s not my [style] … I’m young. I’m really young.” She added, “I’m a career woman and a young, very driven woman and I’ve got a lot I have to accomplish before I settle down and have kids and do any of that.” Ian also laughed off the false story that he had been turned down by Nina. “It’s not true,” he said, and added. “If it were true, I would admit to it, ‘cause getting turned down builds character!”

primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk

4. Split

Although their relationship showed no signs of trouble, People confirmed that Ian and Nina broke up in May 2013. On the same day, Ian hinted to the reason that brought the end of their relationship. “A THOUGHT FOR TODAY,” he wrote on Twitter. “People change and forget to tell each other. – Lillian Hellman, playwright (1905-1984)” Though there were rumors that the two of them were working to rekindle their romance, they only ever stayed friends. Reflecting on their split, Nina told E! News, “I’ve said this before, that we didn’t break up because anything bad happened or because there wasn’t love or friendship.” She continued, “I love him and the friendship is still strong and I think he’s great and I care about him. And that didn’t change. Yes, we’re professional and that’s fine. We were friends long before we dated and we still are now.”

Tony Gonzalez / Everett Collection

3. Departure From Vampire Diaries

Even though they were over, Nina and Ian still played the on-screen couple, Elena Gilbert and Damon Salvatore, on their show The Vampire Diaries. But on April 6, 2015, Nina took to Instagram to announce her departure from the show. Just prior to the announcement, Ian confirmed his engagement to his girlfriend, actress Nikki Reed. The two married on April 26, 2015. Nina and Nikki were friends before the latter started dating Ian. Many speculated that Nina was hurt by the new relationship but Nina insisted, “When I heard about the wedding, I thought it was beautiful. They look happy and I am happy and so I don’t see why there should be a problem with that.”

2. Addressing The Split

Ian and Nina haven’t shied away from discussing their split, or the fact that they have remained good friends. In 2014, the two of them won the “Best Chemistry” award at the People’s Choice Awards, and used their acceptance speech as an opportunity to joke about their split. Nina explained that their decision to talk about their breakup was their attempt to move past the awkwardness and have fun. “I was trying to figure out, like what do you say in that situation?” she said. “We were like, well, we’re cool, we’re friends and costars. He’s a great person, I’m a great person…I mean, I think I’m pretty awesome. So it doesn’t need to be awkward and I think everyone expected it to be so awkward. We made fun of ourselves and just had fun.”

1. Moving On

While Ian married Reed in 2015, Nina was rumored to have a brief romance with Derek Hough before dating Austin Stowell from July 2015 to February 2016. Although much has changed in their lives, they insist that their friendship is as good as it ever was. Discussing what it’s like to be an ex, Nina told Nylon magazine, “I don’t like any kind of negativity. I try to be good to everyone, whether it’s a love, a friend, an ex. I’ll always try to treat people the way I want to be treated.” Ian quipped, “She always lets me have the last fry.” With so many breakup disputes happening in the news (Taylor and Calvin, we’re looking at you!), it’s refreshing to see two exes who have remained civil since their split!

Kevin Mazur / WireImage for The CW Network