Nina Dobrev and Zac Efron Are Just Friends, Guys

A source told Us Weekly that the old friends are just friends, but also that their friends "always joke that they should date." Curious!

By Lauren Tousignant  |  September 23, 2025 | 12:12pm
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Nina Dobrev and Zac Efron Are Just Friends, Guys

Nina Dobrev is going through a breakup, and that sucks. But what sucks even more is when you’re trying to sort through your feelings with a delicious cocktail during a beautiful sunset, and a man keeps getting in the way of your view of the Italian coastline.

At least, I can imagine that would suck.

Over the weekend, photos emerged of Dobrev standing close to Zac Efron on a yacht off the Italian island of Sardinia. Outlets have since described the photos as looking “flirtatious,” and questioned whether they’re dating or if Dobrev is rebounding with Efron after recently ending her engagement to Shaun White. But I’m questioning whether Efron was annoying her while she was just trying to enjoy the view and reflect on her shit.

Also on the yacht were Miles and Keleigh Teller and Chace Crawford. What a crew! And despite the seemingly flirty vibes, or, as I see it, Efron’s possibly bothersome vibes, neither is true! They’ve just always been friends and are continuing to be friends. Good for them.

“Nina and Zac are not dating and have been good friends for over a decade,” a source told Us Weekly. “Their friends always joke that they should date, but that is not what is going on. They have been there for each other through many phases of life and have always had each other’s back.” Kind of weird for the source to include that line about their friends always saying they should date, no? But noted!

On September 11, People reported that, after five years together, White and Dobrev ended their engagement and broke up. After Dobrev posted a couple of cryptic TikToks, the internet quickly alleged that White had cheated. Though another source at the time told Us Weekly that while Nina was “devastated,” Shaun never cheated. “They were very loyal to each other,” the source said. “Any online speculation that suggests otherwise is ridiculous.”

A source also told People the decision was “mutual,” but another source told the Daily Mail that White wanted a family while Dobrev wanted to focus on her career. Maybe it’s all true.

Whatever the reason, Dobrev seems to be doing fine. How many of us get to heal our heartache while sailing through the Mediterranean on a giant boat with an Aperol Spritz in hand? Honestly, the more likely scenario is that Efron was disturbing her newfound peace.
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