The chemistry was unmistakable. If you watched The Vampire Diaries back in the day, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Every time Damon and Elena shared a scene, the screen basically vibrated. It wasn't just good acting. It was real.
Fans spent years obsessing over whether Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder were actually a thing. Spoiler: they were. But despite the massive "Delena" fandom and the endless red carpet photos, the timeline of their romance is often a bit of a blur for people.
So, how long did Nina and Ian date? Honestly, it was a solid three-year run that defined an entire era of CW television.
The Timeline: From 2010 to 2013
They met in 2009. The show was just starting, and they were thrown together in the high-pressure environment of a supernatural hit. Nina has gone on record saying she fought her feelings for a "really, really long time." She didn't want to be that girl who dates her co-star.
But sometimes you just can't help it.
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By 2010, the rumors were everywhere. They were spotted snorkeling in Australia and grabbing Valentine's Day dinner in Atlanta. While they tried to keep things low-key—Ian even called Valentine's Day a "conspiracy of florists"—they couldn't hide it forever.
They finally went "public" in a real way around June 2011 when they showed up at the MuchMusic Video Awards together. From that point on, they were the "it" couple of the supernatural teen drama world. They snuggled at Coachella. They took a very famous, very photographed trip to Paris in 2012.
Then, it just... ended.
In May 2013, news broke that the pair had split after three years of dating. It was a massive shock to the system for fans who thought they were endgame.
Why Did They Actually Break Up?
People love to invent drama. They want to believe there was some scandalous betrayal or a massive blowout on set. But the reality is much more mundane—and honestly, more relatable.
It mostly came down to a classic "right person, wrong time" situation involving a ten-year age gap. When they split in 2013, Ian was 34 and Nina was 24.
- Ian's Perspective: He was reportedly ready to settle down. He wanted the marriage, the house, the kids—the whole nine yards.
- Nina's Perspective: She was just getting started. She was a driven, young career woman who wanted to travel and see what else was out there before committing to a lifelong partnership.
They were at two completely different stages of life. You can love someone deeply and still realize that your futures don't align. Nina even told Seventeen that she stayed with him because he made her smile, but eventually, you have to look at the long-term math.
The "Awkward" Post-Breakup Work Life
Imagine breaking up with someone and then having to go to work the next morning and make out with them in front of a camera crew. That was their life.
They broke up during the transition between Season 4 and Season 5. Funnily enough, their characters, Damon and Elena, were just getting together on the show right as the real-life actors were falling apart. Talk about bad timing.
They handled it like total pros, though. In 2014, they even went on stage at the People’s Choice Awards to accept an award for "Best Chemistry." They joked about the breakup in front of the whole world.
"We started dating in real life," Ian said.
"And then we broke up in real life," Nina added.
"And yet our characters are still dating on the show!" Ian finished.🔗 Read more: What Really Happened With why is kelly clarkson not on her show today
It was a legendary moment of self-awareness. But behind the scenes, fans noticed the shift. By the time Nina left the show at the end of Season 6, the "spark" felt different. Some say it was because they were no longer together; others think the writers just lost the thread.
Where Are They Now?
Life moved on fast.
Ian started dating Nikki Reed (of Twilight fame) in 2014. They got engaged after only six months and married in 2015. They have two kids now and seem incredibly happy living a quiet life focused on activism and their bourbon brand.
Nina had a few high-profile relationships—including a brief stint with Derek Hough—before finding a long-term match in Olympic legend Shaun White. They got engaged in late 2024, though recent reports from 2025 suggest they've since hit some rough patches and separated.
The coolest part? Nina and Nikki Reed are actually friends. They’ve posted photos together to shut down the "catfight" rumors that the media tried to stir up for years. Nina’s take on the whole thing is basically: "Why can't everyone be friends?"
Actionable Takeaways from the Nina/Ian Era
If you’re looking at their three-year relationship and wondering why it still matters, it's because it's a blueprint for how to handle a public breakup with dignity.
- Prioritize Your Career Goals: Nina didn't sacrifice her ambitions just because her partner was ready for a different life stage. It’s okay to choose your growth over a relationship.
- Keep It Professional: If you have to work with an ex, the "Nina and Ian" approach—staying civil and even joking about the awkwardness—is the gold standard.
- Shut Down the Drama: Don't let outside voices dictate your narrative. By staying friendly with Ian and Nikki, Nina took the power away from the tabloids.
The "Nian" era lasted from 2010 to 2013, but the way they handled the aftermath is what actually left a lasting legacy in Hollywood. They proved that a three-year relationship doesn't have to end in a bridge-burning bonfire; sometimes, it just turns into a respectful, distant friendship.