Nina Dobrev may have a new romance in her life, and this time the person linked to the actress is Australian model and entrepreneur Dougie Joseph.
The Vampire Diaries star has been spotted with Joseph in New York City several times, sparking fresh interest in her relationship status. The pair have reportedly been seen walking Dobrev’s dog, Maverick, spending time together around Manhattan and enjoying moments that looked noticeably more personal than a casual friendship.
The sightings come several months after Dobrev ended her engagement to professional snowboarder Shaun White.
Neither Dobrev nor Joseph has publicly confirmed that they are officially a couple, so the relationship is still best described as a rumored romance. However, the repeated sightings have certainly caught the attention of fans.
For Dobrev, who has spent much of her career in the public eye, this is not the first time her dating life has generated headlines. Before Joseph, she was linked to several well-known names, including White and, more recently, Zac Efron.
So, who exactly is Dougie Joseph, and how did he become connected to one of Hollywood’s best-known actresses?
Who Is Dougie Joseph?
Dougie Joseph is an Australian model and entrepreneur who has built a career in fashion and business.
Although he is now based in New York City, Joseph grew up in Australia, near Sydney. His path into modeling was not something he necessarily planned from childhood.
In fact, Joseph once had a very different dream.
He reportedly wanted to become a professional motocross racer when he was younger. His career direction changed after he was discovered by a modeling scout while he was at a shoe store in Bondi Beach.
That chance meeting eventually opened the door to a professional modeling career.
Joseph moved to the United States in 2015 to pursue greater opportunities in the fashion industry.
New York had reportedly been his long-term goal, although getting the appropriate visa and establishing himself in the American modeling market took some time.
He eventually managed to make the move and has since built a career that goes beyond modeling.
Dougie Joseph’s Australian Background
Joseph has spoken about growing up in a beachside community outside Sydney.
His Australian upbringing has remained an important part of his background, even after establishing a life in the United States.
Growing up around the beaches of Sydney also fits with some of his later interests and business ventures.
Bondi Beach, in particular, is well known internationally for its connection to Australian beach culture, fashion and lifestyle.
It was also the place where Joseph’s modeling journey reportedly began.
A visit to a shoe store turned into a meeting with a scout, and that unexpected encounter eventually changed the direction of his career.
When Did Dougie Joseph Move to America?
Joseph moved to the United States in 2015 after deciding to pursue modeling professionally.
The transition was not completely straightforward.
He has spoken about the difficulties of obtaining the visa needed to work in the United States. Before securing the opportunity to build a career there, he reportedly made several trips to Europe while working toward finding representation and getting the necessary paperwork.
New York was always the destination he wanted to reach.
Eventually, he was able to establish himself in the city and build a career in the fashion world.
His experience is an example of how a career can sometimes develop through a mixture of opportunity, persistence and a little bit of luck.
Dougie Joseph’s Modeling Career
Joseph has worked as a professional model for around a decade and has built an impressive list of fashion connections.
His work has included runway appearances for major names such as Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.
He has also collaborated with brands including Brooks Brothers and Emporio Armani.
These opportunities have helped Joseph establish himself beyond the Australian modeling scene.
By 2026, he was represented by modeling agencies including Wilhelmina in New York and Kult Australia.
His career has also given him access to the fashion and entertainment circles that overlap heavily with the world Dobrev has been part of for years.
That shared social environment may have helped bring the two into the same circles, although exactly how they first became acquainted has not been publicly established.
When Were Nina Dobrev and Dougie Joseph First Linked?
The first major reports connecting Nina Dobrev and Dougie Joseph emerged in June 2026.
A fan-submitted photograph shared on the celebrity sightings account Deuxmoi showed Dobrev walking through New York City with a mystery man.
Another image reportedly surfaced around the same time, showing the pair at a New York Knicks championship parade.
The man was identified as Joseph, and the photographs appeared to show a level of familiarity between the two.
Their public appearances did not stop there.
The pair were reportedly photographed together again in July.
During that outing, Joseph was seen giving Dobrev a kiss on the cheek.
That moment added more fuel to the dating speculation because it appeared more affectionate than the earlier sightings.
Representatives for Dobrev and Joseph were contacted about the reports, but the supplied information does not include a public confirmation from either of them.
Nina Dobrev and Dougie Joseph Were Seen Walking Her Dog
One of the details that made the relationship reports particularly interesting was their casual appearance together with Dobrev’s dog, Maverick.
Rather than being photographed at a large Hollywood event or glamorous party, the pair were seen spending time together in New York.
Walking a dog may sound like a very ordinary activity, but for celebrities, those everyday moments can quickly become news when they involve a possible new relationship.
The fact that Dobrev and Joseph appeared comfortable together during these outings contributed to the speculation that there could be more to their friendship.
Still, without a direct confirmation from the pair, it remains important to describe their relationship as rumored.
Nina Dobrev’s Move to New York
The reported relationship with Joseph also comes after a major change in Dobrev’s own life.
Following her split from Shaun White, Dobrev relocated from Los Angeles to New York in November 2025, according to the details provided.
That move means New York is now an important part of her daily life.
It also happens to be where Joseph is based.
Their shared connection to the city has made it easier for the two to be seen together, whether they are taking a walk, attending an event or simply spending time around town.
The move represents a new chapter for Dobrev in more ways than one.
She has not only entered a different phase of her personal life but also changed the city she calls home.
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White’s Relationship
Before being linked to Joseph, Dobrev was in a long-term relationship with Shaun White.
The actress and the Olympic snowboarder began dating several years ago and eventually became engaged.
Their relationship attracted considerable attention because they were both successful figures in their respective industries.
White is one of the most decorated snowboarders in history, while Dobrev became internationally famous through her acting career, particularly her role as Elena Gilbert in The Vampire Diaries.
Their relationship eventually progressed to an engagement.
However, the engagement came to an end, marking a major change in Dobrev’s personal life.
The reported romance with Joseph comes around nine months after that split.
What About the Zac Efron Dating Rumors?
Before the reports involving Joseph, Dobrev was also the subject of dating speculation involving Zac Efron.
The rumors began after Dobrev was photographed spending time with Efron on a boat.
The images sparked plenty of online discussion, particularly because the two are both major Hollywood stars.
However, Dobrev later addressed the speculation.
During an interview in October 2025, she shut down the idea that she and Efron were romantically involved.
Rather than confirming a relationship, she spoke about looking toward the future and embracing change.
Her comments helped put an end to the speculation surrounding Efron, at least from her side.
Dougie Joseph Is Also an Entrepreneur
Modeling is not Joseph’s only professional interest.
He is also an entrepreneur and co-founded a men’s skincare company called Bondi Skin Co. with two childhood friends.
The business was launched in 2020.
The idea reportedly came from a fairly simple observation.
Joseph and his friends had noticed that they were often using skincare products belonging to their partners because they did not feel there were enough products specifically designed for men.
That experience eventually inspired them to create their own brand.
Their goal was to bring skincare products, including serums and anti-aging solutions, to a male audience in a way that felt more straightforward and accessible.
The company gave Joseph an opportunity to move beyond the fashion industry and develop a business connected to lifestyle and grooming.
Why Is Nina Dobrev’s New Relationship Getting Attention?
Dobrev has been famous for years, so interest in her love life is hardly surprising.
Her relationship with Shaun White was highly publicized, and the actress has also been linked to other celebrities in the past.
However, the reports involving Joseph are interesting for another reason.
He is not primarily known as a Hollywood actor.
Instead, Joseph has built his reputation through modeling and entrepreneurship.
That makes him somewhat different from some of the other famous names Dobrev has been connected with.
Their shared New York lifestyle may also have played a role in the growing interest.
The pair have been photographed in ordinary situations rather than only at major celebrity events, giving the rumors a more personal feel.
Is Dougie Joseph Nina Dobrev’s Boyfriend?
For now, it is safest to say that Dougie Joseph is Nina Dobrev’s rumored boyfriend.
There have been multiple sightings of the two together, including a dog walk, a public event and a later outing where Joseph reportedly kissed Dobrev on the cheek.
Those moments have naturally led to speculation that the pair are romantically involved.
However, neither Dobrev nor Joseph has publicly confirmed their relationship based on the information provided.
That means fans may have to wait before knowing exactly what their relationship status is.
Celebrity sightings can provide clues, but they do not always tell the full story.
Nina Dobrev’s New Chapter
Whether or not Dobrev and Joseph eventually decide to make their relationship official, the reports mark an interesting new chapter for the actress.
She has moved to New York, ended her engagement to Shaun White and continued building her life outside the spotlight.
Joseph, meanwhile, has developed his own career in modeling and business after moving from Australia to the United States more than a decade ago.
Their paths now appear to have crossed in a meaningful way.
For the moment, though, the romance remains unconfirmed.
Fans can certainly expect more attention if Dobrev and Joseph continue to be seen together, particularly if they begin appearing publicly as a couple.
Until then, the most accurate description is that Nina Dobrev and Dougie Joseph have been romantically linked after a series of affectionate sightings in New York.
The Vampire Diaries star has not publicly confirmed that Joseph is her boyfriend, but the repeated appearances have certainly made him the latest name connected to her love life.