Cuties! Nina Dobrev is dating Whiplash hunk Austin Stowell, sources confirm to Us Weekly. The Vampire Diaries alum, 26, was spotted getting cozy with the Dolphin Tale actor, 30, at the Hallmark Shoebox Relaunch in West Hollywood on Wednesday, June 10.
The actress, who split from Nikki Reed’s now-husband Ian Somerhalder in May 2013 after three years of dating, looked at ease with Stowell at the Rob Riggle-hosted fete, an eyewitness tells Us.
“Nina looked very happy to have a night out with her new guy,” the observer tells Us of the Perks of Being a Wallflower star, who was overheard saying she is “really enjoying” living in Los Angeles after relocating from Atlanta, Ga. “They looked super comfortable and happy together,” the source tells Us, adding that the cute new couple even shared a kiss.
Two weeks ago the stud joined Dobrev and her pals, including Aaron and Lauren Paul, for a group dinner benefiting Lauren’s Kind Campaign.
Dobrev announced she was leaving TVD last month, but made it well-known her exit had nothing to do with Somerhalder or his recent wedding vows.
“I’ve said this before, that we didn’t break up because anything bad happened or because there wasn’t love or friendship,” Dobrev told E! News‘ Maria Menounos. “I love him and the friendship is still strong and I think he’s great and I care about him. And that didn’t change. Yes, we’re professional and that’s fine. We were friends long before we dated and we still are now.”
“When I heard about the wedding, I thought it was beautiful,” the actress added. “They look happy and I am happy, and so I don’t see why there should be a problem with that.”
