It seems actress Nina Dobrev is ready to set the record straight. After rumors swirled about a possible new romance, Dobrev recently spoke up. She denied being romantically involved with actor Zac Efron, especially after her split from Olympic snowboarder Shaun White.
The talk started heating up just last month. Photos of Dobrev, 36, and Efron, 37, looking quite cozy on a European trip spread like wildfire. These pictures popped up only a week after news broke that the former TVD star and White, 39, had ended their five-year relationship.
When a TMZ reporter caught up with Dobrev on October 1, the question was direct: "Is there anything to those Zac Efron rumors?" Dobrev simply shook her head. The reporter pushed a little more, asking, "Are you just friends?" She confirmed with a clear "Yes."
Dobrev also shared her thoughts on navigating a very public breakup. She told the outlet, "You know what? I’m excited for the future and the only thing guaranteed is change." It sounds like she’s looking ahead, no matter what.
The dating rumors really took off when Dobrev and Efron were seen together often during their European travels. Both attended crypto billionaire Brad Garlinghouse’s wedding in Southern France on September 20. They each appeared in separate Instagram stories from their mutual friend Keleigh Teller’s big day. Later that same weekend, Deux Moi obtained photos of Dobrev and Efron on a yacht. They were joined by Chase Crawford, Keleigh, and her husband Miles Teller. The Daily Mail added fuel to the fire on September 18, publishing photos of the pair swimming in the Italian sea.
Despite all the buzz, a source told Us Weekly last month that the two are definitely not a couple. Their connection is purely platonic. "Nina and Zac are not dating and have been good friends for over a decade," an insider exclusively told Us. "Their friends always joke they should date, but it’s not happening. They’ve supported each other through many stages of life and have always been there for each other."
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White’s journey together officially ended after five years and an engagement. Us Weekly confirmed their broken engagement in September. Their romance began with rumors in February 2020. Us later reported they were an official couple two months later. White proposed to Dobrev in October 2024 at The Golden Swan in New York. He used a stunning five-carat ring designed by Lorraine Schwartz.
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White. 2213285199 MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA – MAY 03: (L-R) Nina Dobrev and Shaun White attend Amex x CARBONE BEACH 2025 on May 03, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Amex x Carbone Beach)
Following the breakup, a source exclusively told Us that Dobrev was "devastated" by the end of her relationship with the Olympic star. "Nina is devastated," the source shared. "They had finally started planning the wedding and everything was set."
In October 2021, White talked to Us about their long-distance relationship. "We have a pretty good system of keeping in touch," he explained. "Plane tickets are pretty much booked for any window that we can see each other." He added that they always found a way to meet up, especially around holidays. "I think that’s the goal of it all and the key is just finding the time. [Nina] is super organized and she’s on top of it all, so I give her credit. She always finds a way to make it happen."
So, while the public might enjoy a good celebrity romance rumor, sometimes the truth is a solid, long-standing friendship. Nina Dobrev is clearly focused on her future, no matter who’s beside her.