If you spent any time on the internet between 2017 and 2021, you know the drill. A high-energy vlog starts, the camera pans to a girl laughing at a chaotic prank, and the comments section immediately explodes. Natalie and David Dobrik have been the subject of more "are they or aren't they" theories than almost any other duo in digital history.
It’s easy to see why people were obsessed. They had the ultimate "hometown sweethearts" energy, even if they constantly told everyone they were just friends.
But honestly? The real story isn't a secret romance. It’s actually a pretty wild case study in how a childhood friendship turned into a multi-million dollar business partnership that survived some of the biggest scandals in YouTube history.
The "Assistant" Myth and the Shift to President
Most people still think of Natalie Mariduena as "David’s assistant." That’s a massive understatement.
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Back in 2017, David called her up and asked her to move to LA to help him out. She was his childhood friend from Vernon Hills, Illinois. She didn't even really get how YouTubers made money back then.
She took a leap. Two weeks turned into years.
By 2022, she wasn't just grabbing Chipotle or managing David's schedule. She was officially named President of David Dobrik LLC.
Think about that jump. She went from being the "girl in the background" to overseeing brand deals, product collaborations like Doughbrik’s Pizza, and the overall strategy for one of the biggest creators on the planet.
Natalie basically became the "voice of reason" in a room full of chaos. David has explicitly said she’s the one who guides his career. While he’s the creative engine, she’s the one making sure the wheels don't fall off.
Why everyone thought they were dating
The rumors weren't just random. David and Natalie played into them. Hard.
They would post photos that looked like engagement shoots. They did "burning questions" segments where they’d tease the audience. In one 2020 vlog, David even joked they were "hooking up" because they ran out of options during the pandemic.
- They had the "high school crush" backstory.
- They lived together for years.
- The chemistry on camera was undeniable.
But they've both been incredibly firm when things get serious. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, David said a relationship would "never happen" even if they were stuck together for 25 years.
Natalie’s own brand away from the Vlog Squad
It’s rare for a "supporting character" in a YouTube group to build a career that stands on its own. Usually, when the main star fades, everyone else does too.
Natalie did it differently.
She landed a spot in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, which was a huge pivot. It moved her from "YouTube personality" to "mainstream model."
She also launched her own lifestyle brand, Eladay. This wasn't just another merch drop. It was a play to become a "powerful force in Hollywood" on her own terms.
She’s often talked about being analytical and "Type A." You can see it in how she’s navigated the last few years. While the Vlog Squad faced massive public scrutiny and lawsuits—specifically regarding the 2021 allegations and the Jeff Wittek excavator accident—Natalie managed to maintain her professional standing.
Where are Natalie and David Dobrik now?
As we move through 2026, the landscape for these two has shifted.
David took a long break from the constant 4-minute-20-second vlog format. He’s admitted that the old "hyper-viral" style isn't sustainable anymore. In late 2025, he started trickling back into YouTube, but with a different vibe. Every other week, more "creative" and less "chaotic."
Natalie is still the one steering the ship.
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They still hang out. They still work together. But the "dating rumors" have mostly died down because, well, the audience grew up.
The takeaway for creators and fans:
- Friendship as a business asset: Their longevity isn't about romance; it's about a deep, platonic trust that predates the fame.
- Professional pivoting: Natalie's transition from assistant to President is a blueprint for anyone working behind the scenes in the creator economy.
- The "Shipping" Trap: Fans will always project a narrative onto a male-female duo. Natalie and David showed that you can use that attention without letting it define your actual life.
If you're looking to follow their current trajectory, focus on their business ventures. The era of the "Vlog Squad house" might be over, but the corporate version of Natalie and David is arguably more influential than the prank-heavy version ever was.
Monitor Natalie’s LinkedIn and professional interviews rather than just TikTok clips if you want to see where the real power lies in their partnership.