The Unforgettable Audition That Sealed Nina Dobrev's Fate in Vampire Diaries, Thanks to Paul Wesley's Genius Move

Summary

Paul Wesley took an unusual approach to his chemistry test with Nina Dobrev by purposely ignoring her, wanting their first meeting to be authentic for their characters.

Despite their initial awkwardness, Wesley's approach proved successful, resulting in a magical audition that ultimately secured him the part. Initially, Dobrev and Wesley were not close, and their feelings toward each other were even negative. However, over time, they developed a strong bond and became great friends.

Paul Wesley, star of The Vampire Diaries, recently revealed his unique strategy for securing a chemistry test with co-star Nina Dobrev. Despite the show ultimately exploring different romantic pairings, the enduring popularity of Dobrev's Elena Gilbert and Wesley's Stefan Salvatore was thanks to the genuine friendship and chemistry between the two actors. However, their initial meeting didn't go smoothly.

In a candid interview on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast, Wesley shared that he purposely ignored Dobrev and turned his back to her during their chemistry read. This unconventional approach aimed to create a more authentic first encounter between their characters. While it was successful, it also led to an initially awkward interaction. Wesley's approach differed from other auditioners, who felt the need to be overly friendly towards Dobrev since she had already been cast as the female lead. Below is Wesley's quote:

I had a very specific approach. Nina, who had already been cast as the lead girl, was present. Everyone in the audition room was paying a lot of attention to her because she was popular. They were going up to her, saying hello. However, I didn't want to do that. I had no intention of making eye contact or introducing myself. I just sat in the corner. It wasn't because I wanted to be rude, but because for the scene, we were supposed to be strangers. Our meeting was meant to be a mystery. I wanted that moment to be special, for her to get to know me then. Nina remembers this. I recall her looking at me, wanting to say hello and introduce herself. But I simply turned away. Initially, she probably thought, "Who does this guy think he is?"

Nevertheless, I entered the room and vividly recall the audition, which turned out to be our initial real-life encounter. It was an incredibly enchanting moment that I sensed, she sensed, and even the studio executives picked up on. Ultimately, it was this very connection that secured me the role.

Wesley & Dobrev Are Good Friends Now, But They Weren't At First

Dobrev and Wesley's initial interaction at the chemistry test was just the beginning of their awkward relationship. In interviews with ET in 2019, they both confirmed that they genuinely disliked each other in the beginning. Dobrev even went as far as saying they "despised" one another for a significant period of time, and Wesley acknowledged that they were not creatively in sync. However, they were able to move past their initial animosity by driving each other mad and eventually developed a deep and mutually loving friendship.

Wesley believes that their difficult start is precisely what brought them closer later on. He believes that his strongest friendships always evolve in this way. Now, they adore each other and maintain regular communication, even more so than with other members of the cast. Their bond is evident in Wesley's surprise visit to Dobrev on the set of her short-lived CBS sitcom Fam, where he showed up during a taping. They have also shared pictures of their reunions on social media from time to time.

Wesley and Dobrev are in good company. Just like Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, the stars of The Vampire Diaries initially didn't get along while filming the beloved romantic drama The Notebook. Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny also had a similar experience, becoming close friends only after the original run of The X-Files came to an end. This suggests that a strong dislike can sometimes lead to remarkable on-screen chemistry.