Is Nina Dobrev exiting 'The Vampire Diaries' because of Ian ex-lover Somerhalder and ex-BFF Nikki Reed? Some say yes, others say no, so which is which?
Dobrev has formally announced her departure from The CW series, and fans were left devastated and wondering why the actress, playing the lead character of the series, has planned on departing from the show although the finale season is yet to come.
Could it be that Dobrev, 26, find it awkward to work with Somerhalder, 36, after the latter has since moved on from their breakup and is now happily in love with Reed, 26?
According to Hollywood Life, since Dobrev announced her exit from the series as Elena Gilbert this season, many speculated that Ian and Nikki's off-cam romance is the reason behind it.
"The Ian and Nikki relationship caused strain," one source told the publication exclusively.
However, contrary to speculations, Dobrev is believed to be leaving TVD because she wants to move on with her career.
"Nina was just bored and wanted to start making movies before she gets to old and misses that window," an insider said.
Additionally, it was reported that there's no bad blood between Dobrev and Somerhalder since they are very "professional" when it comes to separating their work from their personal issues.
"There were no tears between her and Ian at all," the source shared. "Things have been different since the breakup and now the engagement but they are professional and have made sure that didn't mess up."
On Monday, Dobrev posted a long message on Instagram to her fans saying that she had a "goodbye party" with the people working for the series. Read her message below:
"Dearest TVD Family,
I've just spent the most beautiful weekend on Lake Lanier in Georgia with my own TVD Family, the cast and crew of The Vampire Diaries. I want to be the first to tell you that it wasn't just a holiday celebration, it was a goodbye party. I always knew I wanted Elena's story to be a six season adventure, and within those six years I got the journey of a lifetime. I was a human, a vampire, a doppelganger, a crazy immortal, a doppelganger pretending to be human, a human pretending to be a doppelganger. I got kidnapped, killed, resurrected, tortured, cursed, body-snatched, was dead and undead, and there's still so much more to come before the season finale in May. Elena fell in love not once, but twice, with two epic soulmates, and I myself made some of the best friends I'll ever know and built an extended family I will love forever.
There's more to come before we wrap this up, and I promise you'll get to hear all about my experiences over the next month as we approach the season finale (I have given an exclusive interview for the June issue of SELF Magazine that I am excited for you to see!), but until then I invite you to hop on the roller coaster ride that is Elena Gilbert's life and join me as I celebrate her and prepare to say goodbye to her -- and to my work family -- as I move on to the next chapter of my life. I want to share this goodbye with all of you (this weekend's pictures were just the beginning). You, the wonderful fandom who gave more love, support and passion than anyone could have ever imagined seven years ago, when a young Degrassi girl from Canada showed up in LA to audition for 'that Twilight TV show.' ;-) I love you all. Fasten your seatbelts. If you think you know what's coming, you don't.
Love, Nina"
Meanwhile, the 'Vampire Diaries' cast seems to be exiting the series one by one. Actor Michael Trevino, 30, has also announced that he is leaving the show, People reports.
Trevino is known for playing the hunky werewolf hybrid Tyler Lockwood.
"Michael has been a beloved member of the Vampire Diaries family since day one," said showrunner Julie Plec. "Even though he's also going to be out in the world exploring new opportunities, we look forward to finding creative ways to make sure he and his character Tyler Lockwood always remain a part of the show."
In February, Steven R. McQueen, 26, who plays Elena's brother Jeremy, also departed from the show that was recently renewed for a seventh season.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
