Ian Somerhalder debuts new gf right after Nina Dobrev’s bf debut: coincidence?

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About five people cared that Nina Dobrev was maybe dating another one of her Vampire Diaries’ costars, werewolf Michael Trevino, after her high profile romance with Ian Somerhalder. So I don’t expect a ton of interest in this story but that’s not going to stop me from trying. Right about the same time the tabloids were reporting that Nina was involved with Michael, we’re hearing that Ian Somerhalder is dating a former American Idol top 50 contestant named Molly Swenson. The above photos of Michael and Molly are about seven months old, which means it could be getting serious. The two were spotted holding hands on a date recently and E! has an insidery report about all their recent outings. Molly is more accomplished than the title “ex AI contestant” might indicate. She’s a Harvard graduate who used to work for the Obama administration and is currently the chief operating officer of a news activism site called RYOT News. Ian is on the board for the site. Here’s more:

Hunky actor Ian Somerhalder was spotted stepping out to some events in Los Angeles last night alongside a female date that E! News has identified to be Molly Swenson. The Vampire Diaries star and his lady friend first stopped at the Details Magazine party at 41 Ocean in Santa Monica.

Somerhalder and Swenson weren’t overly affectionate but remained close the entire night, an eyewitness tells E! News, and the celeb made sure to introduce her to everyone that came by to chat.

After the mag event, the pair went off to a cocktail party hosted by Treats! magazine honoring cover star Dylan Penn at the legendary Beverly Hills home of James Goldstein.

A source tells E! News that Somerhalder arrived around 11 p.m. with three other people. “Ian got off the golf cart, and was wearing a leather jacket and his hair was tousled underneath a cap. As he was walking towards the steps of Club James, he was greeted by two people from the event who introduced himself. They shook hands with Ian smiled, and began ushering the group inside.”

The source added, “Two of Ian’s friends were in front and Ian and his date were following closely behind casually holding hands. They seemed happy, casual, and enjoying the evening.”

Although the twosome seemed close (and have posed for Instagram pictures together in the past), E! News learns that Swenson is the COO of a production company called RYOT News, which Ian is on the advisory board for, along with Olivia Wilde and Sophia Bush.

[From E! Online]

This “source” was pretty conveniently timed to pull focus from the news of Nina Dobrev’s new romance, which makes me put more stock in that earlier story. I get the impression that Ian still has feelings for Nina and that she was the one to call it quits. Still, whatever is going on with him I like that he’s dating someone who isn’t famous. He’s super pretty and he seems to have a decent head on his shoulders. I want to hear more about this romance!

"Noah" New York Premiere

'Noah' New York Premiere

PaleyFest 2014 The Vampire Diaries presentation

Photo credit: WENN.com

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36 Responses to “Ian Somerhalder debuts new gf right after Nina Dobrev’s bf debut: coincidence?”

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  1. Kiddo says:

    Rob Lowe, in his Reddit AMA, said he would want Daniel Day Lewis to portray him in a film, but this guy is his younger twin. Same off-kilter prettiness.

  2. smee says:

    He looks like Rob Lowe 2.0

  3. Kelly says:

    Jeez.
    That’s all I got.

    EDIT: but at least he doesn’t have a type! most men always hook up with a similar physical type

  4. Stace says:

    Love Ian, but I think this girl confirmed on twitter that this was a rumor. She’s already dating someone. Could be wrong though!

    • Lore says:

      You’re right, she’s been with someone for 2 years and shot down the rumour a couple of days ago when E! Online reported it. Ian has dated non celebrities before but Molly isn’t one of them.

  5. blue marie says:

    His hair is constantly throwing me off. Like he could be really hot if it weren’t for the WTF going on on top of his head.

    The top staged photos, his hair looks way better.

  6. tifzlan says:

    I mourned for 2 weeks when Boone died on LOST and i sometimes still tear up thinking about it…

  7. FLORC says:

    Not to show genuine interest in seeing more threads on Nina or Ian, but she’s pretty awful in person and he’s under her thumb.
    I get the vibe Ian would drop this girl for a hook up with Nina and she wouldn’t feel bad about that.
    Also, Nina better be careful. If she dates a third guy from that show she’ll start to create animosity where she works.

    • Indira says:

      They love Nina over on Lainey. It’s the Canadian kinship but they also say she’s always super nice and professional. Have you heard differently? Can I ask how 😀
      Also, who’s the 3rd person she’s dating? She was with Ian and allegedly Trevino (but he’s with Jenna U from Glee so I don’t really buy that) Have you heard of anyone else?

      • Bridget says:

        Its because one of the contributors to the site actually worked with Nina on Degrassi for a decent amount of time (a good couple of years) and so knows her professionally. And Nina has a rep for being polite and professional, so there’s also that.

        I loved Degrassi until around the time that Emma and Manny graduated. Yes, I am a nerd.

    • Sam says:

      Florc, Ian’s one of the few celebs I have actual fondness for (it’s the animal rights thing, I’m a sucker for it) but I agree with your comments about both of them. That’s absolutely what it feels like.

      Anecdote time: a couple of years ago, someone I know was on the same flight as them. Apparently Nina was unhappy because of some problem with their seats and he was getting her tucked up with a blanket and kissing her and trying to baby her and smooth things over. I know flying can make the best of us grouchy pills to deal with, but I’ve got a feeling that’s probably their dynamic all over: her being a bit of a brat, him being under her thumb.

    • Liv says:

      She’s dating Michael Trevino now? Ugh, they seem like such a odd couple. I liked her when she was with Ian, but since they split she more and more comes across as shallow and superficial. Plus her friendship with Julianne Hough,

      I always wondered about the rumors that she’s pretty bitchy and is not liked by her co-stars and Lainey claiming that she’s very nice and humble, too.

      • lunchcoma says:

        She also pretended to date Julianne’s brother Derek for about five minutes, and then dropped the “relationship” immediately when no one found it plausible. I have no clue whether she’s a good person or not, but it seems like she’s desperate to be perceived as being in a relationship.

      • @lunchcoma says:

        Okay, the time it’s gonna take me to type this is way more time then I should be spending thinking about the mental state of a CW starlet but I sort of get that feeling that no matter who broke up with who (and I totally think she dumped him) she’s maybe the one struggling with the split from Ian and making stupid choices because of it. I feel like she’s very invested in making sure everyone knows she’s having the most fun ever all the time, like just the BESTEST TIME EVER with her BESTEST FRIENDS EVER and it seems like she does constantly want people to think she’s dating someone as part of that MOST FUN TIME EVER, no matter how obvious it is that she’s not dating that person at all.

        I don’t know what is going on with her but she seemed low profile and chill when she was with Somerhalder (and post-split he’s continued to seem low profile and chill) but since their break-up she’s been all partying and relentless, exhausting insistence that she’s loving life in every possible way. It leaves me feeling like she’s not actually happy at all.

      • Liv says:

        That “relationship”with Julianne’s brother was so embarrassing. Nikki Reed is now hanging out with Julianne Hough, I don’t know if that’s supposed to tell us something.

        I, too, think that Nina tried or still tries to show the world what a fun life she lives. Her instagram exploded when her relationship with Ian ended, so I very much agree that she was pretty low profile before. I feel sorry for her because I agree that it’s probably not that fun behind closed doors.

  8. Rachel says:

    I’ve never seen any interviews where he comes off nasty or smug. He’s an ardent crusader for the environment and animals. I would think if he ever rubbed people the wrong way, it would probably be in his zeal for his causes.

  9. maybeiamcrazy says:

    His eyes are so creepy.

  10. Char says:

    I live close to where they film Vampire Diaries & I’ve only heard good things about all of them. They all are nice to fans & will stop & take pics, ect. As for Ian dating, he said just a few weeks ago that he was single, but he also kept his relationship with Nina underwraps for a while, they were dating for a while before fans figured it out, so who knows.

  11. Tig says:

    I will own to watching Season 1 of this show, but when they committed hook, line and sinker to the doppelgänger train, I was done. I like Ian S for his charity work, I also think he and Paul Wesley are way too good for this show.

    • Ash says:

      +1million I’m not sure if I’m alone on this, but I think Vamp diaries is a horrible show.

      Ian has creepy, but gorgeous eyes.

    • I Choose Me says:

      Yeah, Paul Wesley is the true talent on that show imo. I liked what Nina Dobrev was able to do with the Katharine character but now season 4 everything just seems stale and rehashed and I’m all doppelgänger-ed out.

    • Dommeh Dearest says:

      I watched season one. I couldn’t stand Elena and Stefan. It always seemed her character was always doing something and then made herself the victim. After season one I stopped watching. They can’t keep doing the same things over and over and that’s what it’s gotten to. I like Paul, everyone else is meh. And Claire Holt, forgot about her.

  12. Talie says:

    I totally forgot that Nina was dealing with Liam Hemsworth for a hot minute.

  13. kimber says:

    I got the immature actress impression whenever I’ve seen Nina in an interview. She’s a lot younger than he is, so that could play why it didn’t work out.

  14. Lil says:

    In the last Photo it looks like he is wearing Blush.

  15. Ahot says:

    NOOO! I can’t believe she got with MY man. & she seems quite a catch too. Damn can a girl compete with Harvard AND charity works?! *sobs*

  16. Schnee says:

    Woah, she has a very pretty, classic Roman profile.

  17. Ally8 says:

    He just did a new perfume ad for Azzaro Pour Homme that’s running in France (Google it).

    It’s pretty hilarious. The female model looks amazing. He looks like a douche and/or like he’s still auditioning for Christian Grey.

  18. JC says:

    Ian “debut” nothing! They were at a party together with a group of friends. I don’t know how many times this Molly RYOT chick has shown that she already has a boyfriend. Do your homework and stop putting Ian and Nina’s name is the same sentence. It’s over. They broke up, just like 99% of relationships in Hollywood. It’s so annoying and it turned me off the show. Not to mention the abusive fans lol. Laughing so hard at all the morons that have elenaluvsdamon, NianDelena4ever, MyNianHeart etc…in their user IDs hating on Maggie Grace, Ana Beatriz Barros, Derek Hough, Julian Tobias etc etc. if they so much as stand next to either of them. Obvious much? When in Vampire Diaries finaaaally ending? If Maggie and Josh Holloway can have successful shows and continuous work after LOST, so can Ian. He doesn’t need this teenage crap and drama.

  19. I'm With The Band says:

    Is he Rob Lowe’s love child or what?!

  20. Franny Days says:

    I’ve always thought Ian and Shailene would make a good couple.