Ian Somerhalder Calls Out “Forced” Romance on The Vampire Diaries
In a spicy revelation that fans of *The Vampire Diaries* might not have been ready for, Ian Somerhalder, who famously portrayed the brooding Damon Salvatore, recently voiced his opinions on a particular romantic pairing that he felt was, well, less than organic. During an episode of *Hot Ones Versus*, where he was joined by his former co-star Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore), Somerhalder reflected on the storyline that unfolded after the departure of Nina Dobrev, who played Elena Gilbert.
Dobrev’s exit in 2015 after six seasons left a gaping hole in the show’s love triangle, which had been the beating heart of the series. In a bid to fill that void, the writers decided to pair Wesley’s Stefan with Candice King’s Caroline. While Wesley acknowledged that the pairing culminated in a wedding—an event that fans witnessed during the series’ final two seasons—Somerhalder cheekily described it as “a little forced.”
Yet, amidst the critique, Somerhalder couldn’t resist adding a silver lining, remarking, “Oh yeah, it was a little forced, but it was cute,” suggesting that the actors’ chemistry still managed to shine through the contrived narrative. After all, who could deny the allure of a good-looking couple, even if their relationship felt shoehorned into the storyline?
The *Vampire Diaries* ran for an impressive eight seasons from 2009 to 2017, captivating audiences with its supernatural drama and twisted love stories. Dobrev’s departure was a strategic decision from the actress, who wanted to ensure that fans were prepared for her exit, stating in a 2015 interview with PEOPLE, “We didn’t want to make anyone angry.”
Despite the mixed feelings about character arcs post-Dobrev, the series succeeded in maintaining a loyal fanbase, even as it wrapped up with some less-than-believable plot twists. Fans may relish the nostalgia but can’t help but wonder about what could have been had the writers left the love stories to develop more naturally. As for Somerhalder, he has since stepped away from acting, while Wesley continues to embrace the spotlight with a role in Paramount+’s *Star Trek: Brave New Worlds*, proving that even in the realm of the supernatural, the showbiz grind never truly stops.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, TVLine, Entertainment Weekly
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