The recent news that Nina Dobrev and Shaun White have ended their five-year relationship, including a broken engagement, has surprised many fans. Only a few months ago, Nina herself provided an explanation for their lack of urgency to tie the knot.
In an interview with E! News back in March, the Vampire Diaries actress expressed her desire to savor the moment rather than rush into wedding planning. At the time, she shared, “I really want to enjoy it and not rush that process. “At this point, we are simply enjoying our engagement and the unique phase of being fiancés, as this period is quite brief.” She even gushed about how much she enjoyed just saying the word “fiancé.”
This statement, made only a few months before the reported breakup, now paints a bittersweet picture of their journey. A source told People
A Look Back at Their Whirlwind Romance
Dobrev and White initiated their relationship in a classic Hollywood style, reportedly connecting during a New Year’s Eve party in 2020. Their romance quickly accelerated as they found themselves spending weeks together during the early days of the pandemic, which a source said solidified their connection.
They made their relationship Instagram official in May 2020 with a now-famous photo of Dobrev giving White a quarantine haircut. For the next several years, their public displays of affection and support for one another were a regular fixture on social media.
Some of their most memorable moments included
January 2020: Meeting in Las Vegas The two first crossed paths at a New Year’s Eve party at the Bellagio Resort & Casino. They connected through mutual friends and quickly sparked a romance.
March 2020: Quarantine Confirms Romance Spotted on a bike ride in Malibu, the pair officially sparked dating rumors. Sources at the time said their relationship “really accelerated” after they spent weeks together during the initial coronavirus lockdown.
May 2020: Instagram Official Dobrev and White cemented their status as a couple by sharing a photo of her giving him a haircut with the caption, “Adding to resume: hairdresser.”
February 2022: Final Olympic Stand Dobrev was White’s biggest cheerleader at his final Olympic competition in Beijing. Following his retirement, she shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, praising his career and calling him the “G.(B).O.A.T.,” a testament to their strong bond.
October 2024: The Surprise Engagement White proposed to Dobrev after 10 months of planning a fake dinner hosted by Anna Wintour to surprise her. They announced their engagement on social media to a flood of congratulations from friends and fans.
March 2025: The “Fiancé Period” In her interview with E! News, Dobrev confirmed they were in no rush to plan a wedding, instead focusing on enjoying their engagement and the moment they were in.
August 2025: End of a Chapter Reports from People confirmed that the couple had ended their engagement. Despite the breakup, sources note the split was amicable and filled with deep respect. The end of their engagement may be a surprise to many who watched their relationship unfold, but their journey was full of memorable moments and public displays of affection that will be remembered by their fans.
