While Elena Gilbert may have found her happily ever after with Damon, in real life, The Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev is ready to embark on a new chapter with Shaun White. The couple recently announced their engagement in an interview with Vogue published on October 30.
Nina shared that Shaun had carefully planned the proposal, which took place earlier this month. “He said all the right things,” she recalled. Shaun added that he noticed how “nervous” she seemed as they met beneath an arch of white roses, where he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage.
Their engagement comes after romance rumors began circulating in March 2020, coinciding with the onset of the pandemic. The pair was spotted biking along a nature path in Malibu, with Nina’s dog Maverick snugly cradled in Shaun’s arm during their outing.
A source shared insight into their blossoming relationship at that time: “Nina and Shaun have hung in the same circle of friends for years and have always been pretty close. But now it’s more on a flirtatious level because they’re both single at the same time, and of course there’s an attraction there.” Their connection quickly deepened, as evidenced by their charming Instagram posts and affectionate public displays of affection.
As their relationship gained visibility, both Nina and Shaun frequently celebrated each other on social media. On Valentine’s Day 2021, they posted heartfelt tributes that highlighted significant moments from their journey together.
After retiring from competitive snowboarding in February 2022, Shaun received praise from Nina for his remarkable achievements. “I couldn’t be more proud,” she expressed on Instagram, sharing photos from his Olympic career. “You are one of a kind.”
By late 2022, the couple appeared more committed than ever, enjoying a romantic getaway in the Maldives and spending the holidays together with their families in Mexico. As of 2023, Nina and Shaun reportedly took a significant step forward by purchasing their first home together—an impressive $4.3 million hideaway in Hollywood Hills.
An insider revealed at the time that “Nina and Shaun have been serious for a long time,” noting that moving in together felt like a natural progression for them. Friends were eagerly anticipating when Shaun would pop the question.