Hollywood loves a rebound story, and it seems Nina Dobrev may have found hers sooner than anyone expected. Just a week after ending her engagement to Olympic snowboarder Shaun White, the Vampire Diaries beauty has been spotted getting flirty with none other than Zac Efron during a sun-soaked yacht trip off the Italian coast.
A Glamorous Mediterranean Escape
Efron, 37, and Dobrev, 36, joined a group of A-list friends for a lavish getaway that had all the makings of a glossy magazine spread. The actress, fresh from heartbreak, stepped out in a plunging black cut-out swimsuit trimmed with lace that showed off her famously toned figure. Her daring look left little doubt that she was ready to embrace her new single life.
Efron wasn’t about to be overshadowed. The Baywatch star flaunted his sculpted abs as he plunged into the sea and zipped across the waves on a water scooter. Side by side, the two exuded a carefree energy, sparking whispers that there may be more than friendship at play.
Famous Friends and Extra Eyes
The group’s roster was star-studded. Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford and his model girlfriend Kelsey Merritt cozied up on deck, celebrating their Instagram-official romance that went public this summer. Actor Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Sperry, also joined in the fun, recently marking their sixth wedding anniversary.
Sperry couldn’t resist sharing the trip with fans, posting a carousel of sun-drenched photos. One image featuring Dobrev and Efron immediately caught attention, fueling speculation in the comments.
“Can Nina and Zac start dating already?” one fan begged. Another chimed in, “Nina living that best life.” Others rallied around her, with one emotional follower writing: “So glad her friends are surrounding her with love. She deserves the world.”
But one comment carried more bite: “Shaun must’ve really messed up if the boys are siding with Nina.”
A History of Chemistry
This isn’t the first time fans have linked Dobrev and Efron. They’ve been friends for over a decade, spotted at a basketball game back in 2010 and even bowling with Julianne Hough during the height of Dobrev’s Vampire Diaries fame.
In 2020, their chemistry went viral when she appeared on Efron’s YouTube fitness series. Viewers couldn’t help but notice sparks as they planked, pushed sleds, and teased each other about personal questions—like when Efron asked about her favorite clothing and she cheekily answered, “lingerie.”
So while the setting may be new, the rumors are old—and resurfacing at full speed.
Heartbreak Behind Her
Just days ago, reports confirmed Dobrev and White ended their relationship less than a year after announcing their engagement. The split, described as mutual and respectful, surprised fans who had watched the couple gush over one another in interviews and share tender moments on social media.
Dobrev once revealed they kept their romance alive with weekly surprise date nights, trading turns to plan. And who could forget White’s elaborate proposal? He tricked her into thinking she was headed to an exclusive dinner with Vogue’s Anna Wintour, only for her to walk into a near-empty restaurant where he dropped to one knee with a dazzling five-carat Lorraine Schwartz ring.
The effort, however, wasn’t enough to keep them together. Sources close to the pair say the breakup wasn’t about disagreements over children, despite speculation. Instead, it was a decision made with “love and respect,” as one insider explained.
Efron’s Rocky Love Life
As for Efron, he hasn’t been linked to anyone serious since splitting from Australian model Vanessa Valladares in 2021. The pair had seemed inseparable during their time in Byron Bay, but their romance fizzled after less than a year of cohabiting.
Before that, he dated several high-profile women including Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Daddario, and Lily Collins. Despite his heartthrob reputation, Efron has often admitted that dating isn’t easy for him. “It’s kind of hard,” he once confessed, adding that he prefers adventurous outings over forced small talk. Even dating apps have failed him—when he tried Tinder, no one swiped, assuming his profile was fake.
What Comes Next?
For now, Dobrev and Efron’s Italian holiday may simply be friends enjoying the sea breeze and sunshine. But the timing, paired with their undeniable chemistry, has fans buzzing about whether this is just a rebound fling—or the start of something real.
Either way, one thing is clear: Nina Dobrev isn’t spending her post-breakup days crying into ice cream. She’s basking in the Mediterranean sun with Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor by her side, leaving fans and her ex alike to wonder just how quickly the tide can turn.
