Hollywood friendships are usually about as permanent as a spray tan. You see two starlets at Coachella together one year, and by the next, they’ve unfollowed each other and started "vibe-shifting" into completely different social circles. But Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough are the glitch in the matrix. They’ve been attached at the hip for over a decade, and honestly, it’s not just for the cameras.
If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and seen them mooning a camera in Idaho or launched into a full-blown "wine o’clock" session on a random Tuesday, you know they’re the real deal. Most people think they met on a set or through some high-powered agent. Nope. It was actually their hairstylist, Riawna Capri, who played matchmaker. She was basically tired of hearing both of them complain about the same "life crises" and figured they should just talk to each other instead of her. Turns out, she was a genius.
The Secret Sauce Behind Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough
The thing about Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough is that they didn’t just stay "brunch friends." They turned their shared love for a balanced lifestyle into a legitimate business. In 2019, they co-founded Fresh Vine Wine, which isn't just another celebrity vanity project. They saw a gap in the market for premium, low-carb, and low-calorie wines that actually tasted like, well, wine.
They took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: VINE) in late 2021, which is a massive flex. Watching them run through Times Square at night to see their own billboard was one of those "pinch-me" moments they still talk about.
It’s kinda refreshing to see two women in the industry who aren't competing for the same roles but are instead building an empire together. Nina, known for The Vampire Diaries, and Julianne, the Dancing with the Stars powerhouse, have very different day jobs, but their core values—health, spontaneity, and being "risk-takers"—are identical.
💡 You might also like: John Belushi Death Pictures: What Really Happened at the Chateau Marmont
What most people get wrong about their bond
People love to speculate. When Nina was hospitalized for a severe allergic reaction in 2019, Julianne was right there in the ER, posting selfies with "Momma J" energy and crystals. That’s not a PR stunt; that’s someone who stays by your bed when you’re in anaphylactic shock.
They’ve navigated some heavy stuff too. Nina’s high-profile relationship and subsequent split with Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder, and more recently, the reports in late 2025 regarding her ended engagement with Olympic legend Shaun White. Through every breakup and career pivot, they’ve been each other’s "pillars."
"We're both each other's biggest cheerleaders in personal and professional successes," Nina told PeopleStyle. "And we've also been the first one at each other's doors when things haven't gone the way we wanted."
From Cabo to the Boardroom
If you want to understand the vibe of Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough, you have to look at how they travel. They don't do the "sit by the pool and look pretty" thing. Or, well, they do that, but they also rent Bird scooters in Venice for scavenger hunts and go on "bestiemoons" to Indonesia.
📖 Related: Jesus Guerrero: What Really Happened With the Celebrity Hair Stylist Death Cause
Their dynamic works because they balance each other out. Julianne admits she’s "hyper-obsessed" with a clean house, while Nina is admittedly a bit messier. Julianne is the one who brings the icebreakers to dinner parties, and Nina is the one who will stay up until midnight gossiping on the couch until Julianne literally falls asleep mid-sentence.
Fresh Vine Wine: More Than Just a Label
The business side of their friendship is where things get interesting. They didn't just slap their names on a bottle. They worked with winemaker Jamey Whetstone in Napa to ensure the product was vegan and free of those weird fining agents like egg whites or fish bladders (gross, right?).
- Cabernet Sauvignon: The heavy hitter for dinner parties.
- Pinot Noir: Nina's go-to for a "girls' night in."
- Rosé: The quintessential summer vibe they launched for those Cabo trips.
They’ve even brought the brand into the sports world, partnering with the Los Angeles Chargers to get their wine into SoFi Stadium. It's a smart move. They know their audience: people who want to go to a game or a party but don't want the "wine flu" (aka a massive hangover) the next morning because of high sugar content.
Why 2026 is a Big Year for the Duo
As we move through 2026, both are busier than ever. Julianne is back as the co-host of Dancing with the Stars and is reuniting with ex Ryan Seacrest for New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Nina, meanwhile, is continuing her "global takeover" with Fresh Vine and staying active in the Hollywood scene, recently spotted at the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala.
👉 See also: Jared Leto Nude: Why the Actor's Relationship With Nudity Is So Controversial
There’s always talk of them working together on screen. Julianne and her brother Derek have even tried to convince Nina to join Dancing with the Stars as a contestant. While that hasn't happened yet, the fan demand is definitely there.
How to apply their "Bestie Energy" to your life
You don't need a wine brand or a TV show to have a friendship like theirs. Honestly, it comes down to a few things they swear by:
- Direct Communication: If something feels off, they talk about it immediately. No simmering resentment allowed.
- Shared Growth: They don't just hang out; they challenge each other to be better.
- Active Support: Being there for the "hospital moments," not just the "red carpet moments."
- Find a "Third": Every duo needs a mutual connector like Riawna who isn't afraid to tell them they're being dramatic.
The takeaway here is that Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough have proven that you can mix business with pleasure, provided you have a foundation of respect that’s stronger than a Hollywood contract. They’ve turned a "life crisis" meeting into a lifelong partnership, and that’s a lot more impressive than any IMDB credit.
To keep up with their latest moves, keep an eye on their social feeds for new Fresh Vine releases or their next spontaneous trip—just don't be surprised if they're still the ones laughing the loudest at the table.