Who dated Nina Dobrev? From TVD costars to pro-snowboarders—here's a debrief on Nina's love life

Wondering who dated Nina Dobrev? Here's a full debrief on her dating history, plus all the intel on her current boyfriend

Nina Dobrev smiling, wearing a one shoulder white dress as she attends the Royal Performance of "Top Gun: Maverick" at Leicester Square on May 19, 2022 in London, England. / on a blue and pink background
(Image credit: Getty Images/ Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

While Nina Dobrev's character, Elena Gilbert, was tangled up in a love triangle with two of the hunkiest vampires to ever exist (sorry Edward Cullen) on The Vampire Diaries, her IRL dating history is just as swoon-worthy. From TVD costars to pro-snowboarders, here's who Nina Dobrev has dated and all the intel we have on her current boyfriend, Shaun White.

There's just something about celebrity relationships that we just can't get enough of, from Tom Holland and Zendaya to Hailey and Justin Bieber—we even have the 411 on Chris Evan's dating history and Selena Gomez's love life. But right now, everyone wants the scoop on The Vampire Diaries' star, Nina Dobrev—especially after those engagement rumors started swirling...

As fans of the nostalgic TV show will know, while we all daydreamed about dating Damon Salvatore (team Damon until we die), Nina Dobrev did actually date her on-screen beau and has since sparked a number of juicy romance rumors with some notable names—cough Liam Hemsworth.

Now though, she's in a rather serious relationship with Olympic snowboarder, Shaun White—who recently let slip what's next on the cards for their relationship...so what better time to reminisce over her past romantic pairings?

Who is Nina Dobrev's boyfriend?

Shaun White wearing a white suit, smiling with Nina Dobrev - who is wearing a white satin gown, as they attend the "Top Gun: Maverick" Royal Film Performance at Leicester Square on May 19, 2022 in London, England.

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Neil Mockford/FilmMagic)

First thing's first, let's get acquainted with her boyfriend Shaun White. He's an Olympic snowboarder who has won three gold medals throughout his sporting career.

The pair started dating in 2020, confirming their relationship in April of the same year. Just a month later, US Weekly then reported that Nina and Shaun were living together amidst the Covid-19 pandemic—and they seem to still be going strong.

In fact, since retiring from the Olympics, Shaun revealed that they have plans to travel the world together!

He told E! "After the Olympics, I told her, 'Let's go for it. Just lay it out there. I just want to go. I want to travel.'"

He then hinted that 'time will tell,' in regards to engagement plans adding, "Things are great with Nina and I and I am so excited to focus on our relationship." 

We're also just going to leave their incredible Stranger Things couples costume from Halloween here...

Who dated Nina Dobrev in the past?

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder (2010-2013)

Actors Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder attend the 20th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at The City of West Hollywood Park on February 26, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Larry Busacca/Getty Images for EJAF)

Yes, Elena and Damon (who happens to be one of our team's most iconic TV characters) once sent TVD fans into a frenzy after they started dating in 2010. They met and fell for each other on set—which is understandable considering their sizzling on-screen chemistry.

They dated for three years but split in 2013, which likely made for some awkward days on set since TVD officially ended in 2016.

Derek Hough (2013)

Derek Hough poses in a black suit against a white backdrop as Derek attends IMDb LIVE Presented By M&M'S At The Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on February 09, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Rich Polk / Stringer)

Following her split from Ian, Nina started dating Dancing With The Stars' Derek Hough (who is also her close friend, Julianne Hough's brother).

But according to US Weekly, they only dated for six weeks before things fizzled and they went their separate ways.

Liam Hemsworth (2014)

Liam Hemsworth attends the 'Independence Day' Berlin Photo Call on June 9, 2016 in Berlin, Germany

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Matthias Nareyek)

These two sparked romance rumors after they were spotted looking rather cozy in Atlanta—where both The Vampire Diaries and The Hunger Games were filming respectively.

As far as we know though, things didn't go any further and Liam went on to date the likes of Miley Cyrus...

Austin Stowell (2015)

Actors Austin Stowell and Nina Dobrev attend The NYMag, Vulture + TNT Celebrate the Premiere of "Public Morals" on August 12, 2015 in New York City.

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Brad Barket)

Nina also dated actor Austin Stowell, known for his roles in The Bridge of Spies, Whiplash and most recently The Hating Game.

They saw each other for about seven months before calling it quits.

James Marsden

James Marsden smiles infront of a blue backdrop as he attends the Los Angeles premiere screening of "Sonic The Hedgehog 2" at Regency Village Theatre on April 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Kevin Winter)

Now, this probably doesn't count as dating but we just had to throw this one in there! Nina was once spotted locking lips with Enchanted's own Prince Edward at a karaoke bar in New Orleans, according to Hollywood Life

Glen Powell (2017)

Actors Glen Powell (L) and Nina Dobrev smile as they attend The 2016 InStyle And Warner Bros. 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California.

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Jason Merritt/TERM /)

Nina and Glen sparked dating rumors in January 2017 after being pictured together at the Golden Globes.  They then seemingly confirmed their relationship by taking some very cute and cozy photos together at Nina's best friend Julianne Hough's wedding.

They spit in November however, with a source telling E! Online that they'd decided to take some 'time apart.'

Grant Mellon

Nina Dobrev and Grant Mellon walk hand in hand - Nina Dobrev wears a beret hat, a black and white striped top with a printed sentence "why have there been no great women artists ?", a black leather skirt, sunglasses, outside Guy Laroche, during Paris Fashion Week - Womenswear Spring Summer 2020 on September 25, 2019 in Paris, France.

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Edward Berthelot)

Before her relationship with Shaun, Nina dated screenwriter Grant Mellon. The pair went public with their romance in March 2019, attending a Lakers basketball game together.

They went their separate ways in November before Nina confirmed her relationship with Shaun in 2020.

And there you have it, you're all caught up!

Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team, where she covers everything from entertainment to fashion and beauty, as well as TikTok trends for Woman&Home, after previously writing for My Imperfect Life and GoodTo. Interestingly though, Naomi actually has a background in design, having studied illustration at Plymouth University but lept into the media world in 2020, after always having a passion for writing and earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ.


Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.