You’ve seen the side-by-side photos. One is the face of a Nickelodeon generation, the other is the heart of a supernatural vampire drama. Honestly, it’s one of those Hollywood glitches in the matrix. Victoria Justice and Nina Dobrev look so much alike that for years, casual fans—and even some industry pros—genuinely thought they were the same person.
It’s not just the dark hair or the brown eyes. It’s the bone structure. The smile. That specific "it" girl energy that dominated the early 2010s. But while the internet loves a good "separated at birth" conspiracy, the reality of their relationship is actually way more interesting than just a shared face.
The Moment Victoria Justice Met Her "Twin"
Believe it or not, they didn’t grow up together. They aren't secret sisters. They aren't even from the same country—Nina was born in Bulgaria and raised in Canada, while Victoria is a Florida native.
The first time they really leaned into the comparison publicly was at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards. It was a huge moment for fans. Victoria was actually the one to present Nina with the award for Choice TV Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy for her role as Elena Gilbert in The Vampire Diaries.
As Victoria stood on stage, she literally introduced Nina as "my doppelgänger." The crowd went wild because, for years, this had been an underground fan theory that finally got its "canon" moment. They hugged, they took photos, and the internet basically broke.
But there was an even weirder encounter before that. Victoria once shared a story about attending a movie premiere for one of Nina’s films. She was just walking the red carpet when one of Nina’s own cast members ran up to her.
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"I was on the red carpet and one of her cast members walked up to me and started kissing and hugging me saying, 'Nina, you look so beautiful.' I was like, 'I'm definitely not Nina and I don't know you!'" — Victoria Justice
Imagine being so much of a lookalike that your "twin's" actual coworkers can't tell you apart from three feet away. That’s a different level of resemblance.
Why Do We Get Them Confused?
If you look closely—and I mean really closely—you can start to see the differences.
People who study "face-mapping" (yes, that’s a thing people do on Reddit) point out that Victoria has slightly higher, more prominent cheekbones. Some fans call her look more "cat-like." On the flip side, Nina is often described as having "doe-eyes."
There’s also the career timing.
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- The Vampire Diaries premiered in 2009.
- Victorious premiered in 2010.
For a solid five years, both women were the faces of their respective networks (The CW and Nickelodeon). They were everywhere. If you were a teenager in 2011, you couldn't turn on a TV without seeing one of those two faces.
The "Doppelgänger" Irony
The funniest part about this whole thing? Nina Dobrev’s entire career was built on playing doppelgängers. In The Vampire Diaries, she played Elena Gilbert, Katherine Pierce, Amara, and Tatia. The show was literally about lookalikes appearing throughout history.
Fans spent years joking that if the producers ever needed a fifth version of the character, they didn’t even need CGI—they could just call Victoria.
Are They Still Friends in 2026?
They aren't exactly "besties" who hang out every weekend, but they’ve always been super supportive of each other. It’s a "professional respect" kind of vibe. Whenever they bump into each other at events like the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic or fashion weeks, they usually grab a selfie to keep the meme alive.
In recent years, the "twin" talk has slowed down a bit. As they’ve aged, their styles have diverged. Nina has leaned more into the "outdoorsy, adventurous" lifestyle—lots of snowboarding and traveling. Victoria has stayed heavily focused on her music and indie film projects.
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How to Tell the Difference Once and for All
If you’re still struggling, here’s the cheat sheet:
- The Voice: Nina has a slightly deeper tone, sometimes with a bit of that "vocal fry" people talk about. Victoria’s voice is higher, more "musical Theater" in its clarity.
- The Brows: Nina’s eyebrows have changed shape a lot over the years (check out the Season 1 vs Season 4 TVD archives). Victoria’s brows have stayed remarkably consistent and arched.
- The Vibe: Victoria usually feels a bit more "polished pop star." Nina often gives off a more "rugged athlete" energy.
Honestly, they’re both stunning and have handled the constant comparisons with a lot of grace. Most stars would get annoyed being called someone else's name for fifteen years, but they’ve basically turned it into a shared brand.
What to Do Next
If you’re a fan of the "Victorious-to-Vampire" pipeline, your next move is to check out their recent work. Victoria has been dropping new singles that show a much more mature side of her artistry, and Nina has been producing more behind-the-scenes content that proves she's more than just a pretty face.
Go watch Victoria’s "Treat Myself" music video and then go back and watch Nina’s final episode of The Vampire Diaries. You’ll see that while they might share a face, their talents are totally unique.