Unveiling the Intertwined Love Stories of 'The Vampire Diaries' Cast: The Real-Life Romances of Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, and Beyond

Running from 2009 to 2017, The Vampires Diaries centered around the residents of the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. Fans of the show became deeply interested not just in the romantic storylines on screen, but also in the off-screen relationships.

During the show's run, Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder, who portrayed Elena Gilbert and Damon Salvatore respectively, began a romantic relationship in 2010. They continued to date for three years before eventually going their separate ways. Shortly after their breakup, Somerhalder entered into a new relationship with Nikki Reed. Despite the end of their own relationship, Dobrev and Somerhalder remained on good terms.

Dobrev, on her part, found love in 2020 with Shaun White. One year later, the athlete candidly discussed his experience of watching his girlfriend in her memorable role on the CW series.

"As we were getting to know each other, I thought, 'I should give this show a try,'" the X Games gold medalist exclusively shared with We in June 2021. "There are so many episodes. It didn't bother me, but I didn't realize how invested I would become. Nowadays, seasons usually have around 10 episodes, but these had 23 episodes per season. And I was hooked!"

Dobrev's former costar, Somerhalder, married Reed in 2015. The actress from Twilight later revealed the key to a successful marriage, emphasizing the importance of supporting each other's goals and passions.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the Vampire Diaries cast and their love lives:

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'The Vampire Diaries' Cast Dating Histories: Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and More

The Vampire Diaries, which ran from 2009 to 2017, centered around the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. Fans not only became engrossed in the romantic relationships depicted on the show, but also those happening in real life.

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder, who played Elena Gilbert and Damon Salvatore, ignited a romance in 2010 and remained together for three years. Following their breakup, Somerhalder began dating Nikki Reed, but there were no lingering animosities between the former lovers.

In 2020, Dobrev found love with Shaun White. A year later, the athlete openly discussed watching his girlfriend in her memorable role on the CW series. "While we were getting to know each other, I thought it would be a good idea to check out the show," the X Games gold medalist shared exclusively with We in June 2021. "I didn't anticipate getting so invested because most shows nowadays have around 10 episodes per season, but this one had a whopping 23 episodes. I was hooked!"

Dobrev's ex-costar, Somerhalder, got married to Reed in 2015. Reed, the Twilight actress, then revealed the key to their successful marriage, which involved being committed to each other's goals.

In a 2019 interview with Us, Reed said, "Both Ian and I have always been deeply passionate about multiple things. We are both highly driven individuals with busy lives, so I believe that supporting and nurturing each other's dreams, aspirations, and passions is crucial. It's something we actively practice."

Keep scrolling to learn more about the Vampire Diaries cast and their love lives:

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Nina Dobrev

Dobrev and Somerhalder translated their onscreen romance to a real-life relationship, which lasted for three years before their split in 2013. Following that, the Degrassi alum was romantically linked to actor Austin Stowell from 2015 to 2016. In 2017, she had a brief dating stint with Glen Powell, known for his role in Scream Queens.

In February 2020, Dobrev started dating snowboarder Shaun White.

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Paul Wesley

Wesley tied the knot with Torrey DeVitto in 2011, but their marriage came to an end in 2013. Following the split, he embarked on a relationship with Phoebe Tonkin, which lasted for four years with a series of off and on periods before finally calling it quits in October 2017. In a rather low-key manner, he exchanged vows with Ines de Ramon in 2019. However, their union sadly reached its conclusion in September 2022, revealing that they had actually parted ways five months earlier.

One month later, Wesley was spotted engaging in public displays of affection with model Natalie Kuckenburg while on a romantic trip to Italy. In February 2023, it was revealed that Wesley had initiated divorce proceedings against de Ramon, who is currently in a relationship with Brad Pitt.

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Ian Somerhalder

Somerhalder first met Maggie Grace on the set of Lost in 2004, and their relationship lasted for three years. He then began dating Dobrev in 2010, with their relationship ending in 2013.

In 2015, Somerhalder tied the knot with Reed, and the couple joyfully welcomed their daughter, Bodhi Soleil, two years later. Excitingly, in January 2023, it was announced that Reed is expecting their second child.

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Candice Accola

Accola has had previous romantic connections with her former costars Zach Roerig and Steven R. McQueen from Vampire Diaries. However, it was Dobrev who introduced her to Joe King at a 2012 Super Bowl event, leading to a blossoming relationship and eventually an engagement in the following year. Ultimately, they exchanged vows in October 2014, solidifying their commitment to each other.

King and Accola welcomed daughter Florence in 2016 and daughter Josephine in December 2020.

In May 2022, Us broke the news that Accola filed for divorce from King one month prior.

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Kat Graham

Graham started dating Cottrell Guidry in 2008. They got engaged in October 2012, but ended their relationship two years later.

The singer and cinematographer from The Vampire Diaries, Darren Genet, made their relationship Instagram official in February 2020. After three years together, the duo got engaged, as confirmed by Us in May 2022. However, their engagement ended one year later.

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Zach Roerig

Roerig formed a connection with Accola during their work on the CW series. In 2013, he gained attention when he pursued sole custody of his daughter, Fiona, who was born in 2011, following his ex-partner Alanna Turner's imprisonment for several offenses. Eventually, he was awarded full custody.

In 2016, Roerig had a short-lived romantic involvement with Nathalie Kelley, whom he encountered while filming The Vampire Diaries.

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Michael Trevino

The Roswell, New Mexico actor dated Jenna Ushkowitz from 2011 to 2014. He started dating Bregje Heinen in January 2020.

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Joseph Morgan

Morgan met Persia White on the set of The Vampire Diaries and they started dating in 2011. The twosome got engaged in 2014 and tied the knot in Jamaica later that year.

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Michael Malarkey

Malarkey married Nadine Lewington in 2009. They share son Marlon (born in 2014) and son Hugo (born in 2019).

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Steven R. McQueen

The Chicago Fire actor has been romantically associated with various names, including Chelsea Kane, Candice Accola, Hillary Harley, and Dylan Penn.

In January 2018, McQueen made an announcement regarding his engagement to Alexandra Silva. However, their engagement ended abruptly after four months.

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Matt Davis

The actor known for their role in Legally Blonde was previously married to Leelee Sobieski for a brief period between 2008 and 2009. Subsequently, Davis entered into wedlock with actress Kiley Casciano in 2018. Their daughter, Ripley, came into the world two years after their marriage.

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Phoebe Tonkin

Prior to her relationship with Wesley, the actress had been romantically connected to Ed Westwick, Chris Zylka, and Xavier Samuel. Their relationship began in 2013, but after four years of on-again-off-again dating, the couple decided to part ways in October 2017.

Tonkin made her relationship with Alex Greenwald Instagram official in June 2020.

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Claire Holt

Holt became engaged to her longtime boyfriend Matthew Kaplan in July 2015, and they married a year later. However, their relationship ended in April 2017.

During the same year, the former Pretty Little Liars star shared her engagement to real estate executive Andrew Joblon. They exchanged vows in August 2018, following the actress's public disclosure of her miscarriage on social media five months earlier. Their first child, James, was born in 2019, and their second child, Elle, arrived in 2020.

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Daniel Gillies

Gillies tied the knot with Rachael Leigh Cook in 2004. They became parents to their daughter, Charlotte, in 2013 and their son, Theodore, in 2015. The couple publicly announced their separation in June 2019, and a year later, the Originals alum filed for divorce. Finally, in March 2021, their divorce was officially concluded.

The Saving Hope actor went Instagram official with Julia Misaki in February 2021.

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Chris Wood

Wood began a romantic relationship with his fellow Supergirl cast member, Melissa Benoist, after their introduction on set in 2017. Two years down the line, the couple got engaged and exchanged vows in 2019. In September 2020, Wood and Benoist joyfully embraced parenthood with the birth of their son.