Hollywood is a tiny, tiny town. One minute you’re the "it" couple of the summer, and the next, you’re just two people sharing a pickleball court in St. Barts while your new partners watch from the sidelines. That’s basically the vibe of Nina Dobrev and Glen Powell right now. If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram lately, you probably saw those sun-drenched clips of them ringing in 2026 together. It’s wild because, for most of us, hanging out with an ex-boyfriend while his rumored new girlfriend is standing right there sounds like a nightmare.
But for Nina and Glen? It’s just another Tuesday.
Honestly, the internet has a short memory. People are acting shocked that they’re still friends, but they’ve been doing this dance since 2017. Back then, they were the ultimate "hard launch" couple before that was even a phrase people used. They did the whole photo booth thing at Julianne Hough’s wedding and dressed up as characters from La La Land for Nina’s birthday. It was cute. It was wholesome. And then, poof—it was over by November.
The 2017 Breakup and the "Cooling Off" Period
So, what actually happened? When Nina Dobrev and Glen Powell split, there wasn't some massive scandal. No one cheated. No one threw a drink. It was just the classic Hollywood curse: schedules. Nina was grinding on set, and Glen was starting his ascent toward becoming the massive movie star he is today.
"They were taking some time apart," a source told PEOPLE at the time. "Nina is very focused on her work and she has a very busy schedule."
It sounds like a PR line, sure, but in this case, it seems to have been the truth. They didn't unfollow each other. They didn't delete every trace of their existence. They just... transitioned. It’s a level of maturity that’s kinda rare in an industry built on drama. They were even spotted laughing together at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2020, and Nina later attended Glen's 30th birthday bash. They've mastered the art of being "exes who don't make it weird."
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Why Everyone is Talking About Them in 2026
The reason their names are trending again is pretty simple: 2025 was a year of big shifts for both of them. Nina Dobrev spent five years with Olympic legend Shaun White. They were engaged, they had the five-carat diamond ring, they were the "stable" couple. Then, in September 2025, it was over. People were devastated. The split was reportedly mutual, rooted in different views on the future—some say she wanted to start a family and he wasn't there yet, though sources are split on that detail.
Meanwhile, Glen has been the subject of every dating rumor under the sun. First, there was the whole Sydney Sweeney Anyone But You press tour madness (which we all know now was a genius marketing play). Then, he was linked to Michelle Randolph.
Fast forward to the start of 2026.
Nina, fresh off her breakup, and Glen, currently "having fun" with Michelle, ended up on the same yacht in the Caribbean. Along with Miles Teller, Keleigh Sperry, and Alix Earle, they spent the final days of 2025 swimming and dancing. Nina even posted a photo of herself, Glen, and Michelle Randolph together. It was a massive statement without saying a word. It basically told the world: "I'm fine, he's fine, and there’s no tea here."
The Michelle Randolph Factor
If you aren't familiar with Michelle Randolph, she’s a star in her own right, currently killing it in Taylor Sheridan’s Landman. She and Glen have been seen all over the place lately—Texas dance halls, Miami beach clubs, and most recently, the 2026 Golden Globes.
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The fact that Nina and Michelle are seemingly friendly is the ultimate "cool girl" move. On January 3, Nina captioned a vacation post: "Some old friends, some new friends… now all best friends." It’s clear she counts Glen as the old and Michelle as the new. It’s a refreshing change from the usual celebrity feud narrative.
Can Exes Really Stay This Close?
Psychologists often talk about the "post-relationship friendship" and how it usually requires a significant period of "no contact" to work. Nina and Glen had that. They spent years living entirely separate lives before circling back as platonic anchors for one another.
The nuance here is that they share a massive friend group. When your inner circle includes the Tellers and the Overstreets, you’re going to be at the same parties. You can either make it awkward for everyone or you can learn to play pickleball together.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that there’s still a "spark" or a secret romance brewing. People see two attractive people who used to date and immediately assume they’re "endgame." But look at the evidence:
- Glen is very publicly bringing Michelle Randolph to major awards shows.
- Nina is rebuilding her life after a five-year engagement ended.
- Their interactions aren't "coy"—they're loud and public.
Usually, when celebrities are actually hooking up, they’re way more secretive than Nina and Glen are being right now. This is the behavior of two people who have zero romantic tension left.
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Lessons from the Dobrev-Powell Dynamic
There’s actually something to be learned from how these two handle their public image. In an era where "subtweeting" and "soft-blocking" are the norms, seeing a respectful, long-term friendship survive a breakup is actually kinda inspiring.
If you're trying to navigate your own "ex-friendship," take a page out of their book:
- Give it time. They didn't try to be besties the week after they broke up in 2017.
- Respect the new partner. Nina being inclusive of Michelle is the reason this works.
- Keep the drama private. If they ever had beef, we never heard about it.
What’s next for them? Glen is currently filming The Running Man and has How to Make a Killing coming out in February. Nina is busy with her own projects and seemingly enjoying her independence. They’ll likely continue to show up in each other’s Instagram carousels, sparking a fresh round of "are they or aren't they" comments every single time.
But for now, the story of Nina Dobrev and Glen Powell isn't a romance—it’s a masterclass in how to stay friends when the cameras are watching.
If you want to keep up with their latest moves, keep an eye on their IG stories during major holidays. That’s usually when the big group trips happen. Also, check out Michelle Randolph in Landman—the chemistry she has with Glen in real life is definitely translating to her star power on screen. Ready to move on from the rumors? Just watch the movies; the real drama is usually on the screen anyway.