Dobrev and Somerhalder met on the set of "The Vampire Diaries" in 2009 — where they played on-and-off lovers Elena and Damon — and it wasn't long before the two started dating IRL. After their breakup in 2013, both actors remained on the series until its finale in 2017 (though in 2015, Dobrev went from a main cast member to a guest on the series).
Even now, the actors remain close friends. As Dobrev told E! News in May 2015, "I've said this before, that we didn't break up because anything bad happened or because there wasn't love or friendship. 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."
The two even hilariously addressed their split on stage after winning the best chemistry award at the 2014 People's Choice Awards. Of the moment, Dobrev told E! News, "I was trying to figure out, like what do you say in that situation? We were like, well, we're cool, we're friends and costars. He's a great person, I'm a great person . . . I mean, I think I'm pretty awesome. So it doesn't need to be awkward and I think everyone expected it to be so awkward. We made fun of ourselves and just had fun."
