It was the "ship" that launched a thousand Tumblr blogs. If you were anywhere near a television between 2009 and 2017, you knew about Damon Salvatore and Elena Gilbert. But for a solid chunk of that time, the heat wasn't just scripted for The CW. Fans were obsessed with "Nian"—the real-life coupling of Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev. Even now, years after the show ended and both have moved on to entirely different lives, people still ask: when did Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev date, and why did it actually end?
Honestly, the timeline is a bit of a blur if you weren't tracking every paparazzi photo at the time. They were masters of the "we're just friends" defense until they simply couldn't hide it anymore.
The Nian Timeline: From 2010 to 2013
The short answer is that Ian and Nina were officially a couple for about three years. They met on the set of The Vampire Diaries in 2009, but they didn't jump into a relationship immediately. Nina was actually quite vocal about not wanting to date her co-stars. She told Seventeen magazine that her goal was to stay professional.
But chemistry is a tricky thing.
The Slow Burn (2010)
Rumors started swirling in 2010. Fans noticed they were spending a lot of time together outside of filming in Atlanta. By the time Ian's birthday rolled around in December 2010, the "just friends" label was wearing thin. While they didn't walk a red carpet as a couple that year, the groundwork was clearly laid.
Making it Official (2011)
The world finally got confirmation in 2011. They were spotted looking very much like a couple at Coachella—the ultimate celebrity outing for "we're dating but don't want to do a press release about it." Later that year, they attended the MuchMusic Video Awards together, essentially confirming what every TVD fan already suspected.
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The Peak Years (2012)
2012 was the year of Nian. They were everywhere. From romantic trips to Paris (where they were photographed with their moms—serious stuff!) to the Met Gala after-parties, they were the "it" couple of Young Hollywood. Nina eventually admitted in interviews that she "couldn't help" who she had a connection with, basically acknowledging that her "no dating co-stars" rule had been thoroughly broken.
The Split (May 2013)
All good things, right? In May 2013, news broke that Ian and Nina had called it quits. It was a massive shock to the fandom, especially since they still had years of filming intimate scenes together ahead of them.
Why Did They Break Up?
Whenever a high-profile couple splits, the rumor mill goes into overdrive. Was there cheating? Did they hate each other?
Most reliable sources, including People and Us Weekly, pointed to a classic case of being at different stages in life. When they broke up in 2013, Ian was 34 and Nina was 24. A ten-year age gap doesn't always matter, but in your 20s and 30s, it can be a chasm.
Reports suggested Ian was "jonesing to settle down." He was ready for marriage and the whole "white picket fence" chapter. Nina, on the other hand, was just starting to see her career explode. She wanted to travel, see the world, and focus on her craft without being tied down to a marriage contract.
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Basically, they hit a fork in the road. He wanted a wife; she wanted to be 24. Both are totally valid.
The "Awkward" Aftermath on Set
Imagine breaking up with your boyfriend of three years and then having to show up to work the next day to make out with him. That was the reality for Nina and Ian.
For the most part, they were incredibly professional. They even joked about it! In 2014, when they won the People’s Choice Award for "Best Chemistry," they stood on stage and had a scripted bit about their breakup.
- "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!"
It was a masterclass in handling a public split. However, eagle-eyed fans noticed a shift in the later seasons. By Season 6, the "Delena" scenes felt a bit different to some, and when Nina eventually left the show at the end of that season, many wondered if the tension of working with an ex (who had by then started dating Nikki Reed) was part of the reason.
Where Are They Now?
Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks very different.
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Ian Somerhalder married Twilight star Nikki Reed in 2015. They have two children and have largely stepped away from the Hollywood grind to focus on their bourbon brand, Brother's Bond, and environmental activism.
Nina Dobrev has had several high-profile relationships since Ian, most notably with Olympic legend Shaun White. While they recently made headlines for ending their engagement in late 2025, Nina remains a powerhouse in the industry, balancing acting with her wine brand, Fresh Vine Wine.
Is There Still Drama?
Nope. In 2017, the trio—Ian, Nina, and Nikki—posted a "farewell dinner" selfie to shut down the "mean girl" narratives once and for all. Nina has consistently called Ian and Nikki’s marriage "beautiful" and maintained that she is happy for them.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're still "shipping" Nian in 2026, here is the reality check:
- Respect the Evolution: They dated over a decade ago. People change, and their current lives are a reflection of what they actually wanted (family for Ian, career and adventure for Nina).
- Separate Art from Reality: You can love Damon and Elena without needing Ian and Nina to be together. Their off-screen breakup didn't negate the chemistry they put on screen.
- The Friendship is Real: All evidence points to the fact that they remained "adults" about the situation. If they can be friends with their exes, it’s a good lesson for the rest of us.
Ian and Nina's relationship was a specific moment in time—a lightning-in-a-bottle romance that fueled one of the biggest shows on Earth. It started in 2010, ended in 2013, and left a lasting mark on pop culture.
To dive deeper into the history of The Vampire Diaries and how the cast handled the transition after Nina's departure, check out the oral histories provided by the show's creators. Understanding the production side often sheds more light on the personal dynamics than any tabloid ever could.
Alternatively, if you're looking for more modern celeb timelines, following their current business ventures—like Ian’s work with regenerative farming—is the best way to see how they've grown since their days in Mystic Falls.