Despite previous denials from their reps, E! News has confirmed that "Vampire Diaries" actress Nina Dobrev is indeed dating the brother of Julianne Houghs, "Dancing With the Stars" pro Derek Hough, one source insisting that their relationship is "somewhat serious."
Dobrev and Hough didn't start seeing each other until August, just in time for Hough to win his first Emmy award on Sunday, Sept. 22. The actress Instagrammed a photo of her new beau holding his Emmy, expressing her excitement: "@Derekhough !!!!!!!! #EMMYWINNER I cant express in 140 characters how unbelievably excited+incredibly proud I am of you. You deserve this."
In the next picture she posted of both Hough siblings, Dobrev wrote as a caption, "@derekhough Those of us touched by your light got to watch you brighten up the rest of the world. Keep shining!" In response, Dereck Hough responded on Twitter with, "[You're] the best babe."
Dobrev most recently split with her ex-boyfriend of three years, "Viampire Diaries" co-star and heartthrob Ian Somerhalder. The popular couple broke up for rather cryptic reasons, to the disappointment of many fans, though Dobrev has seemingly found love once more in Cheryl Cole's ex-boyfriend.
"They were set up by Julianne," an insider revealed to Life & Style magazine. "It got serious really fast and they're inseparable. They're already saying 'I love you'." Reports also claim that Dobrev and Hugh had planned to make their public debut at the Emmy Awards on Sunday, but Dobrev pulled out of attending the show at the last minute.
"Now they're talking about having her go to DWTS to support him," the insider said, presumably referencing Dobrev and Hugh's publicists. At the ceremony, Hough picked up an award for Outstanding Cherography on "Dancing With the Stars," and after he got his coveted trophy, the dancer reportedly FaceTimed Dobrev soon after.
"They have known each other for years because she's best friends with his sister Julianne. They've been hanging out more on a one-on-one basis lately, yes, and recently they have started dating," a source confirmed to Wetpaint Entertainment. "They're having fun together for now. That's it."
"Nina was on her way to the airport while Derek was making the press rounds," an eyewitness told Life & Style of the alleged video chat between the two. "He was holding up his Emmy to her and she was so excited for him!"
