Nina Dobrev & Shaun White split after 5 years: What to know
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White in March. Image Credit: Michael Tran/AFP/Getty Images
After a 5-year relationship, actors Nina Dobrev and Olympic snowboarder Shaun White have ended their engagement. PEOPLE broke the news on September 11, 2025, confirming the split as a mutual decision made “with love and deep respect for one another.”
White had proposed in October 2024 with a 5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring in a surprise dinner in New York City. The two were last seen publicly together on August 31, 2025, running errands in Los Angeles, still holding hands.
Signs of Trouble and Public Clues
Fans began speculating about the relationship’s status when Nina Dobrev appeared at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7 without her engagement ring. She also removed her engagement announcement post from the top of her Instagram profile shortly before the split was made public.
Despite these signs, Dobrev had recently explained why wedding planning was delayed. As of March 2025, she said they were enjoying their engagement phase and not rushing into a wedding. Busy schedules and wanting to savor the moment were cited as reasons.
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The Relationship Timeline
Dobrev and White reportedly reconnected in 2019 at a motivational event after briefly meeting earlier in 2012. They officially confirmed their relationship in 2020 and moved in together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their engagement came in October 2024.
During their years together, the pair made many joint appearances on red carpets, social media, and shared parts of their lives including celebrations, trips, and public performances of support for each other’s work.
Why Wedding Plans Had Been Postponed
Months before their split, Dobrev addressed why the wedding had not been planned yet. She said she wanted to take time to enjoy being engaged, not rushing into planning something permanent. She also mentioned that work commitments, such as filming overseas and holiday seasons, made scheduling more complicated.
Her goal was reportedly to create a wedding that was low-impact and meaningful rather than adhering to conventional expectations.
What Happens Next
While neither White nor Dobrev has publicly made a detailed statement beyond acknowledging the split, sources suggest the decision was made amicably.
Fans are watching their social media changes, removal of the engagement ring, updating of posts, as further signs of the changes.
For both stars, the separation marks a turning point. Dobrev recently expressed in past interviews her desire to savor moments rather than rush, which may now be reflected in her path moving forward as she recalibrates her priorities.