Nina Dobrev and Shaun White engagement-Photo-ANDREW ARTHUR
In late October 2024, Shaun White, the retired Olympic snowboarder, proposed to actress Nina Dobrev in New York City, a moment filled with joy and surprise. Underneath a beautiful arch of white roses at the Golden Swan restaurant, White presented a 5-carat diamond ring, taking Dobrev by complete surprise. Vogue, who documented the intimate proposal, shared how Dobrev initially froze in shock, then shared an emotional acceptance. Friends later joined the newly engaged couple for a celebration with champagne, caviar, and a spontaneous late-night order of Shake Shack and dumplings.
Whiteās proposal plan was carefully orchestrated to keep Dobrev in the dark. As part of his elaborate setup, he sent her a false invitation to what she believed was an exclusive dinner event with CFDA/Vogue and Anna Wintour. This decoy invite, arranged through Whiteās publicist, led Dobrev to believe she was headed for a prestigious industry dinner. Upon her arrival, however, she discovered only White and a photographer waiting to capture the unforgettable moment. “He said all the right things,” she told Vogue, sharing her excitement over the thoughtful and romantic proposal.
After the engagement, both Dobrev and White announced the news on Instagram, each posting a series of photos from the night. White captioned his post with a simple yet powerful “She said YES,” while Dobrev humorously wrote, “RIP boyfriend, hello fiancĆ©,” reflecting her happiness and sense of humor about the exciting next step in their relationship.
Dobrev, known for her role in The Vampire Diaries, and White first connected in 2019, initially crossing paths at an event led by Tony Robbins in Florida. They later made their relationship public on Instagram in May 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. One memorable Instagram post that year showed Dobrev giving White a quarantine haircut, which quickly became a fan favorite. Their relationship continued to grow stronger as they moved in together, tackled DIY projects, and supported one another through life’s challenges. White, who retired from professional snowboarding after the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, even hinted at a potential engagement during a 2023 interview with PEOPLE, saying, “You never know. We’ll see what happens.”
Throughout their relationship, the pair have shared a number of life experiences, from the pandemic to everyday adventures. During one particular story, White recounted to PEOPLE a humorous moment from their first dinner together. As Dobrev worked her charm to secure them a table in a crowded restaurant, White observed the excitement of the restaurant staff, only to discover that the excitement was directed at Dobrev rather than himself. “Can we get a photo … with her?” one waiter asked, a request that took White by surprise.
Dobrev and Whiteās romance continued to evolve through shared interests and challenges, such as renovating her West Hollywood home during the pandemic. Together, they took on painting the entire exterior of the house, a project that began with enthusiasm and a DIY spirit. “We went to the hardware store, bought a bunch of paint and brushes, and definitely got in over our heads,” White recalled, describing the project as both ambitious and fun.
White has often spoken highly of Dobrev, describing her as a supportive and wonderful partner. He expressed how much her presence meant during the pandemic, calling her a “lifesaver” and crediting her with making that period of his life special. The coupleās friends and family have supported them throughout their journey, and fans have eagerly followed their milestones, from Dobrev’s famous quarantine haircut on White to their cross-country travels together.
As of now, the couple has not disclosed wedding plans, but both are clearly thrilled about their engagement and excited for the future. Their love story, filled with humor, spontaneity, and mutual support, has captured the hearts of fans everywhere. Their journey from casual dates to serious relationship milestones highlights a love built on friendship and shared values, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in their lives.
#NinaDobrev #ShaunWhiteĀ #CelebrityEngagement #NYCProposal #LoveStory