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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley drank so much tea during "Vampire Diaries" they had "anxiety issues."</li><li>The cast and crew eventually realized the solution to their problem was switching to decaf tea. </li></ul><p>Filming the first season of "Vampire Diaries" wasn't a cakewalk for Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, who drank so much caffeine it harmed their mental health. </p><p>While shooting scenes for the CW supernatural drama series, the cast knocked back loads of tea pretending it was whiskey. But all that caffeine over the course of a season had a negative effect on them. </p><p>"We had the most insane anxiety issues because there was so much caffeine," Somerhalder <a href="https://pagesix.com/2023/03/23/ian-somerhalder-paul-wesley-had-anxiety-on-vampire-diaries/">told Page Six</a>. </p><p>Wesley recalled doing "take after take" with copious amounts of tea. </p><p>"You're drinking 20 to 30 cups of tea, so by the end of the day you're, like, 'Ahh!,'" Somerhalder added. "We didn't [sleep]."</p><p>After shooting the first season in 2009, the cast and crew realized the solution to their anxiety issues was actually pretty simple. </p><p>"We switched to decaf, so we felt a lot better," explained Wesley, adding that they drank "herbal tea."</p><p>Somerhalder and Wesley, who played Damon and Stefan Salvatore on the show, would eventually go on to shoot eight seasons of "Vampire Diaries." </p><p>During <a href="https://www.today.com/popculture/vampire-diaries-stars-ian-somerhalder-paul-wesley-reflect-bond-playing-t214722">an interview with TODAY</a>, Somerhalder recalled the moment he knew the show was a hit with viewers. </p><p>"We were trying to leave the hotel," he said. "And there was, like, 1,000 people on either side of this little hotel where we used to stay at all the time. And we had to go through secret entrances and we had multiple cars. Two dummy cars, one we were in, one we weren't. One for full security and the guy at the time who's the head of Warner Brothers International just said, 'The only time I've seen this, like, this was the launch of 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' believe it or not."</p><p>While the show's two stars picked up multiple People's Choice Awards for their work, perhaps the most important thing to come out of the experience was a lasting friendship. The two also formed a business partnership and launched the bourbon brand Brother's Bond Bourbon in 2021. </p><p>"The amount of times and the amount of screen grabs I have of Stefan and Damon bonding over a bourbon…and, you know, it's so cool to be able to, like, re-create that in a sense, you know?" Wesley also told TODAY. "This is our reunion." </p>

Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley developed 'insane anxiety' on 'The Vampire Diaries' because of all of the caffeine they had to drink for certain scenes

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Somerhalder said a "terrible" business situation left him in an "eight-figure" hole.</li><li>The "Lost"</li><li>He said it was Reed who formed a team to help him "find a way out."</li></ul><p>Actor <keyword id="828464" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ian-Somerhalder">Ian Somerhalder</keyword> took to Instagram this weekend to praise his wife <keyword id="296984" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Nikki-Reed">Nikki Reed</keyword> on her 33rd birthday by revealing a very personal chapter in their lives.</p><p>The star said he found himself in a "terrible business situation" while shooting "The Vampire Diaries," which led to Reed spending two years of her life getting Somerhalder out of debt.</p><p>"Before Nik and I got together I built a company while shooting 'TVD' that was important to me," Somerhalder wrote. "I invested heavily, I made huge personal guarantees to banks. However due to greed and fraud within that company and fraudulent activities from our biggest customer, not to mention the temporary collapse of the oil and gas industry - I was left in an EIGHT- FIGURE hole."</p><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries damon 50 shades book 801" height="1614" width="2152" msid="82912784" hostid="261"></div><p>Somerhalder, 42, said that time in his life was "a true nightmare day in and day out."</p><p>The actor said he had to travel the world weekly to pay "massive" six-figure banknotes. He said it led to him being in the hospital four times over a two year period, but did not explain the nature of his hospitalizations. Then the "Twilight" star came to his rescue.</p><p>"This woman here decided that she didn't want to see her husband ruin his body/mind/spirit and pulled up her bootstraps and got down in the trenches assembling a team to get to the negotiating table to find a way out," he wrote. </p><p>"I am where I am BECAUSE of this woman," Somerhalder continued, highlighting his new venture, Brothers Bond Bourbon. "I was able to start my life over because of this woman."</p><p>Somerhalder and Reed were married in 2015. Their daughter, Bohdi Soleil, was born in 2017.</p>

Ian Somerhalder praises wife Nikki Reed for getting him out of millions in debt after a 'terrible business situation'

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="828464" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Ian-Somerhalder">Ian Somerhalder</keyword> and <keyword id="2535309" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Paul-Wesley">Paul Wesley</keyword> met after landing their roles on "<keyword id="825399" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="The-Vampire-Diaries">The Vampire Diaries</keyword>."</li><li>The CW show ended in 2017 and the two stars have remained close over the years. </li><li>They teamed up for a bourbon brand called Brothers Bond, which was released in 2021. </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ian-somerhalder">Ian Somerhalder</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/paul-wesley">Paul Wesley</a> have been good friends since they landed their career-defining roles as brothers Damon and Stefan Salvatore, respectively, on "<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/the-vampire-diaries">The Vampire Diaries</a>."</p><p>Even though it has been three years since the hit CW series ended, the costars remain close. They even teamed up for an alcohol brand called <a href="https://store.brothersbondbourbon.com/">Brother's Bond Bourbon</a>, released in 2021. </p><p>Here's a complete timeline of Somerhalder and Wesley's friendship. </p><h2><strong>Wesley and Somerhalder met at a fitting for their characters' vampire fangs, shortly after Wesley was finally cast on the show</strong></h2><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries damon stefan" height="900" width="1200" msid="79630445" hostid="261"></div><p>Of the main trio - <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/nina-dobrev">Nina Dobrev</a> (Elena Gilbert), Wesley, and Somerhalder - <a href="https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/09/the-vampire-diaries-pilot-oral-history/">Wesley was the last to be cast</a>. </p><p>The casting directors picked Wesley days before filming for the show began, after he had already auditioned for Stefan multiple times. They originally passed on Wesley for Stefan because they thought he was too old for the part.</p><p>But after casting Somerhalder, who's four years older, as Damon, they agreed to consider Wesley. </p><p>His chemistry read with Dobrev solidified his spot as the brooding younger Salvatore brother. </p><p>When Wesley and Somerhalder met, they instantly clicked, which made it even easier for them to play siblings on "TVD."</p><p>"Paul and I met in the valley," Somerhalder recalled during an <a href="https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/09/the-vampire-diaries-pilot-oral-history/">interview with Entertainment Weekly</a>. "It was a fitting for our fangs. It was very cool, we met, we gave each other a hug. It was like, 'Wow so we're brothers. Here we go.'"</p><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries pilot damon stefan fight" height="1400" width="1866" msid="79630446" hostid="261"></div><p>"They took a gamble. Casting a show is a risk. You never know if it's going to work," Wesley added.</p><p>Cocreator Julie Plec attributed their instant connection to Somerhalder, who "very quickly took Paul under his wing, brother to brother."</p><p>"It's easy to fall in bro-love with Ian Somerhalder," Plec told EW. "So they were able to spark to each other quickly."</p><h2><strong>September 10, 2009: 'The Vampire Diaries' premiered on The CW</strong></h2><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries damon stefan fight 2" height="1207" width="1609" msid="79630449" hostid="261"></div><p>The series premiere of "TVD" <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/arts/television/12arts-VAMPIREDIARI_BRF.html">garnered 4.8 million viewers</a>.</p><p>Although the show was based on a fantasy book series written by L. J. Smith, the show creators took plenty of creative liberties when adapting. They cast actors with different appearances than their book counterparts, introduced new characters, and excluded some characters from the novels.</p><p>At the time of the show's release, Somerhalder was known for his role as Boone Carlyle on the hit show "Lost."</p><p>Meanwhile, Wesley had appeared on shows like "Everwood" and "Army Wives."</p><p>Their roles on "TVD" would turn them into A-listers with devoted followers around the world.</p><h2><strong>Forget Stelena and Delena - Wesley and Somerhalder agree that the show's most important relationship was between the Salvatore brothers</strong></h2><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries 605 damon stefan hug" height="1581" width="2109" msid="79630452" hostid="261"></div><p>Although the love triangle was a central part of "TVD," Stefan and Damon's bond was the glue that held the series together - especially following Dobrev's departure from the series after season six. </p><p>"Ian and I both agree that the best love story is between Stefan and Damon," Wesley told <a href="https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/09/the-vampire-diaries-pilot-oral-history/">Entertainment Weekly</a>. "Ultimately, their brotherly love-and-hate relationship is probably the most interesting thing."</p><p>He continued: "They had killed each other, they love each other, they hate each other, they fight over the same girl. That was one of the most complex relationships in terms of depth and layers."</p><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries 814 stefan damon hug" height="1590" width="2122" msid="79630456" hostid="261"></div><p>Wesley shared similar comments about the siblings during an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCG6v5JQOfs">appearance</a> on "Watch What Happens Live" in December 2019. </p><p>"Ian always says that the greatest romance on the show is the two brothers, and I agree with that in many ways," he said. "Just because it was not a sexual romance, it was still a romance."</p><h2>Throughout their time filming 'TVD,' Somerhalder and Wesley shared goofy and candid photos from the set</h2><p>In March 2012, Somerhalder posted a manipulated <a href="https://twitter.com/iansomerhalder/status/182244069228019712">photo</a> of him and Wesley wearing their characters' daylight rings.</p><p>Wesley then photobombed Somerhalder in a 2014 <a href="https://twitter.com/iansomerhalder/status/517829349240999936">selfie</a> with costar Matt Davis (Alaric Saltzman). </p><p>Somerhalder and Wesley gave their best "blue steel" impressions in a <a href="https://twitter.com/iansomerhalder/status/693235611621285889">photo</a> taken inside Damon's car in January 2016. </p><p>The following month, Wesley <a href="https://twitter.com/paulwesley/status/695763485729361920">complimented Somerhalder's biceps</a> that were seen in a photo of them rehearsing.</p><h2><strong>July 2015: Wesley and his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/2OSsVsyVOZ/">'brotha from anotha motha'</a> teamed up for a T-shirt campaign with a portion of the proceeds going to charities</strong></h2><p>A fan named Kathryn Kij came up with the winning design for the shirt, and the stars released two different shirt styles.</p><p>Somerhalder and Wesley also <a href="https://twitter.com/paulwesley/status/622089015446110216">called a few fans</a> who purchased the product. </p><h2>January 10, 2017: Somerhalder left a little gift for Wesley so he wouldn't forget him once their time on 'TVD' ended</h2><p>The actor gave Wesley <a href="https://twitter.com/iansomerhalder/status/818985063819964416">artwork</a> of Damon and planted it in his office, which led to a fun interaction on Twitter.</p><h2><strong style="color: #000000;">February 8, 2017: To mark their last day on the set of 'TVD,' Wesley shared a photo of him and Somerhalder standing in front of Damon's 1969 Chevy Camaro convertible</strong></h2><p>"That's officially a wrap," Wesley captioned the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQRwSFbgQbc/">photo</a>. "One last pic of the brothers in front of the Camaro. To the fans, thank you for being a part of this journey in our lives. We couldn't have done it without you.</p><h2><strong>March 10, 2017: The series finale of 'TVD' aired</strong></h2><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries series finale stefan damon hug" height="1604" width="2138" msid="79630460" hostid="261"></div><p>The show concluded after eight seasons and the episode nabbed <a href="https://deadline.com/2017/03/vampire-diaries-ratings-finale-up-nina-dobrev-blue-bloods-cbs-1202041558/">1.19 million viewers</a>.</p><p>During the series finale, Stefan sacrificed himself and gave Damon the cure to live as a human. The final scene of the show (rightfully) centered on the brothers, as they had a heartfelt reunion in the afterlife years later. </p><p>In a full-circle moment, the final line - "Hello, brother," spoken by Damon - was a callback to the character's first line of the series.  </p><p>The finale made fans and Wesley emotional. The actor was so moved that he <a href="https://ew.com/tv/2017/02/21/vampire-diaries-paul-wesley-series-finale-emotional/">cried</a> at how "powerful" the conclusion was. </p><h2>March 20, 2017: Days after the last episode of 'TVD' was released, Somerhalder was feeling nostalgic and shared a throwback photo with Wesley</h2><p>"The Salvatore boys on a British Airways flight on my birthday Dec, 8th 2009 from LA to London... The beginning. Wow. Love this guy, we've been through it together. @paulvedere here's to drinking copious amounts of French wine at 35,000 ft and trying to envision what our futures would become. Love you man xo Ian," the actor captioned the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BR4mn6BgqBd/">post</a>. </p><p>Wesley also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BReIu14FNIm/">posted the same photo</a> of himself with "smoldeypants" days prior. </p><h2>December 9, 2018: Wesley celebrated Somerhalder's 40th birthday by joking that he was saying goodbye to his teenage years</h2><p>"No longer a teen. Happy 40th brother. @iansomerhalder," he wrote.</p><h2>February 24, 2019: The costars and their wives hung out together at a pre-Oscars party</h2><p>"A night out with these three... I love them…," Somerhalder captioned a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuQf6YXBkhE/">photo</a> with his wife, <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/nikki-reed">Nikki Reed</a>; Wesley; and Wesley's wife, Ines de Ramon.  </p><h2>September 26, 2019: Somerhalder revealed that he and Wesley had their own bourbon brand in the works</h2><p>"WITH passion, hard work, and an uncompromising quest/thirst for quality, we have arrived!" the actor <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B25O1UkpDc8/">said</a>. </p><p>"We want to share with you something very special and dear to us," he continued. "You've given us so many wonderful years as these characters and we want to bring you something to enjoy that brings back some great memories and some good times to come!"</p><p>Considering that bourbon was the go-to drink of choice for Stefan and Damon on "TVD," it seemed like a natural collaboration for the costars. </p><p>"We drank bourbon on the show," Wesley told <a href="https://people.com/tv/vampire-diaries-paul-wesley-on-camping-and-becoming-a-man-of-the-land-in-quarantine/">People</a>. "That was sort of the staple of the series, for those who haven't seen it, and we drink bourbon too, we love bourbon, and we bonded over bourbon, so [we decided to] start a bourbon company."</p><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries damon stefan bourbon" height="999" width="1333" msid="79630462" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>December 2, 2019: During an appearance on 'Watch What Happens Live,' Wesley was asked about his bromance with Somerhalder and said his costar is 'a very loving guy'</strong></h2><p>"Ian's a very loving guy," Wesley <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RajETeESG0I">said</a>. "We hug a lot. We have cuddled. I'm sure we cuddled up on a plane or something."</p><p>"We hug each other, he gives me kisses on the cheeks all the time," he added.</p><h2><strong>December 3, 2019: In an interview with Girlfriend magazine published in late 2019, Somerhalder described Wesley as 'my little brother'</strong></h2><p>"Stefan was such a beautifully played character who had really amazing depth and layers. This has been a 10-year journey with him," Somerhalder <a href="https://www.girlfriend.com.au/ian-somerhalder-v-wars-interview">said</a>. "He's family. He's my little brother. We talk every day."</p><h2><strong>January 5, 2020: The costars reunited at a Golden Globes after-party</strong></h2><div type="image" title="ian somerhalder paul wesley january 2020 golden globes after party" height="1426" width="1902" msid="79630463" hostid="261"></div><p>Somerhalder, Wesley, and Dobrev were all present at the 2020 InStyle and Warner Bros. 77th annual Golden Globes Awards after-party, which took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California.</p><h2><strong>May 27, 2020: Their website for Brothers Bond went live and crashed due to an influx of traffic</strong></h2><h2>September 12, 2020: The stars said that drinking bourbon together 'solidified' their friendship</h2><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFC4XnEhr45/">Wesley</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFC4VU-J2xo/">Somerhalder</a> posted promotional images for their bourbon brand with matching captions that read: "Many bourbon drinking moments both on and off-screen solidified a very special bond."</p><h2><strong>November 20, 2020: Wesley said that the bourbon brand was a 'real labor of love' and described it as his and Somerhalder's 'baby' </strong></h2><p>"It's been so fun. This is something that we created," Wesley told <a href="https://people.com/tv/vampire-diaries-paul-wesley-on-camping-and-becoming-a-man-of-the-land-in-quarantine/">People</a> of the brand, which <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLxaj9fhDa1/">began shipping</a> in March 2021. "It's not just like, 'Oh, we're putting our names on it.' This is our baby."</p><p>He added: "We created this mash, this taste, everything. The name, the label. I mean, we did everything. I'm just excited. And I hope it takes off the way that we think it will."</p>

A complete timeline of Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley's friendship, from 'Vampire Diaries' costars to alcohol brand collaborators

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<ul class="summary-list"><li>TikToker Nicky Nightmare was rumored to be the son of Jane's Addiction singer Dave Navarro.</li><li>A <keyword id="11894125" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tiktok" source="Orion">TikTok</keyword> sleuth went <keyword id="11896837" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="viral" source="Orion">viral</keyword> trying to debunk the myth about Nightmare's "<keyword id="6355064" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="celebrity" source="Orion">celebrity</keyword> parents."</li></ul><p>Jane's Addiction singer Dave Navarro has debunked a viral TikTok rumor that he's the father of a creator known as Nicky Nightmare, telling Insider he is "not familiar" with the TikToker.</p><p>Nightmare has amassed over 380,000 TikTok followers with videos <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7057266730099592494?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">lip syncing</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7053602134310473007?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1">playing guitar</a> to rock songs, as well as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMTYA6e25iT-nD5L-CIAovQ">releasing two songs of his own</a>. However, he's attracted the most interest due to his claims that his parents are <keyword id="11897677" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="celebrities" source="Orion">celebrities</keyword>, sparking speculation about who they may be.</p><p>While Nightmare has never explicitly named his parents on TikTok, he has dropped various hints, saying in <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dandydemon/video/7051382615089155374?_d=secCgwIARCbDRjEFSACKAESPgo8iSuImO%2B%2Bw09q%2BuTkNi0iKItK3npHBWPrqjni14xHKQ%2F6QWZVFxnK1UhcMguXWCynPgSRd%2BBqi0MgogAWGgA%3D&amp;_r=1&amp;checksum=428f1170c66c74478239f67c34e8eff4efb36b9a7bab68804aae42b30db48832&amp;language=en&amp;preview_pb=0&amp;sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAZ3EHQs8qAtHsEV4yjAKTA-gWjzhqAPefF1B6AbFJ8I7WmNSNBXs1JUBdXrovOdfI&amp;share_app_id=1233&amp;share_item_id=7051382615089155374&amp;share_link_id=171564DA-1521-41CA-B233-152426754897&amp;source=h5_m&amp;timestamp=1644570459&amp;tt_from=whatsapp&amp;u_code=dcblc1c15492l7&amp;user_id=6826820795613135877&amp;utm_campaign=client_share&amp;utm_medium=ios&amp;utm_source=whatsapp%5C">one video</a> that he is the son "one of the biggest celebrities in the world," and his mother was "the poster on every teenage boy's wall." In <a href="https://vm.tiktok.com/ZML2EeVVU/">another,</a> Nightmare said, "being the son of 2 of the biggest celebrities in the world makes me wanna SCREAM."</p> <p>Due to the fact that Nightmare frequently refers to his celebrity father, plays guitar, and uses the last name Navarro, followers speculated his father was rockstar and one-time guitarist for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers Dave Navarro.</p><p>In a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7033930998417116463?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;lang=en">video</a> posted on November 24, 2021, Nightmare responded to a comment asking about his father by telling his followers to "Google it."</p><p>A Google search for "Nicky Nightmare father" brings up Dave Navarro as a featured result, fueling rumors that the pair were related. Google did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.</p><div type="image" title="Nicky Navarro Google search" height="468" width="937" msid="89576988" hostid="261"></div><p>On January 10, a TikToker who goes by @dandydemon made a video attempting to debunk the rumor. The TikToker claimed to have discovered Nightmare's real identity — which they did not reveal — and accused him of being a "clout chaser." The video quickly went viral, and has now been viewed 3.5 million times.</p> <p>In a TikTok posted on January 19, Nightmare asked <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nickynightmare/video/7055036106894789935?_d=secCgwIARCbDRjEFSACKAESPgo8tnCL0OMrdwMTXKQywobmVbbFWkQaReuThvuKpP7zU%2FTPrgRmFlmqX%2BUga0SsVYUvtXhL2wDcYj49zI3oGgA%3D&amp;_r=1&amp;checksum=cf7bf7ac5a6e2f658e398601773168bedbe2c575af4ac97fd4fbcd43b987117f&amp;language=en&amp;preview_pb=0&amp;sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAZ3EHQs8qAtHsEV4yjAKTA-gWjzhqAPefF1B6AbFJ8I7WmNSNBXs1JUBdXrovOdfI&amp;share_app_id=1233&amp;share_item_id=7055036106894789935&amp;share_link_id=F97E0CA3-AEFE-4AA6-8CA5-700FAF1EB0EB&amp;source=h5_m&amp;timestamp=1644570372&amp;tt_from=whatsapp&amp;u_code=dcblc1c15492l7&amp;user_id=6826820795613135877&amp;utm_campaign=client_share&amp;utm_medium=ios&amp;utm_source=whatsapp">"who is my celebrity father?"</a> and said viewers would know the answer by the end of the video, but he did not clarify the situation, nor did he deny the rumor that he is Navarro's son.</p><p>"I've never said that Dave Navarro is my father, Google says that Dave Navarro is my father," Nightmare said in the video. He listed names of other celebrities that people speculated were his father, including Ian Somerhalder, Justin Bieber, and Rob Lowe. </p> <p>Dave Navarro — who said in a <a href="https://www.laweekly.com/dave-navarro-made-me-cry/">2013 interview with LA Weekly's Danielle Bacher</a> that he has no children and doesn't want any — is best known for his work as a singer and guitarist in the rock band Jane's Addiction and for playing guitar for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their 1995 album "One Hot Minute." He has collaborated with artists including Nine Inch Nails, Guns N' Roses, Christina Aguilera, Janet Jackson, and P Diddy, and was a judge on Paramount's tattoo reality show "Ink Masters" until 2020.</p><p>Navarro denied that he had any knowledge of Nicky. In a statement to Insider, Navarro's representative said, "Dave is not familiar with this lad and not his father." </p><p>Nicky Nightmare did not respond to Insider's request for comment.</p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/culture"><strong>For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.</strong></a></p>

A TikToker stoked viral rumors that his dad is the rockstar Dave Navarro. The singer says he's never heard of him.

<p class="source"><span>Yoola</span></p><p class="caption">Anastasia Radzinskaya.</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Entertainment company and global YouTube multi-channel network Yoola takes YouTube creators like 6-year-old Anastasia Radzinskaya and turns their channels into business empires.</li><li>Radzinskaya's YouTube business generated $18 million in a single year, according to Forbes in its most recent report on YouTuber earnings.</li><li>Yoola has helped its creators like Radzinskaya develop, distribute, and make money from their video content. </li><li>Radzinskaya runs nine global YouTube channels, four of which have over 10 million subscribers. </li><li>Eyal Baumel, the CEO of Yoola, broke down the company's global strategy and how it turned Radzinskaya into a <strong>one of the world's fast-growing YouTube creators. </strong></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>The 6-year-old internet star Anastasia Radzinskaya is a worldwide phenomenon and has become one of YouTube's fastest-growing creators thanks to a global, multilingual strategy.</p><p>Radzinskaya owns four diamond play buttons, a plaque YouTube sends to creators once they hit 10 million subscribers on a single YouTube channel.</p><p>Her YouTube business generated $18 million in a single year, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2019/12/18/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-of-2019-the-kids-are-killing-it/#293fd98238cd">according to Forbes, which put her in the No. 3 spot on its most recent report on the top-earning YouTubers.</a></p><p>Radzinskaya is a part of a group of YouTube creators who have found success on the platform by developing global content. For instance, Yovana Mendoza, a food and lifestyle vlogger, has multiple YouTube channels and a dedicated Spanish-speaking channel with 2 million subscribers. Other channels, like Ryan's World - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ryans-world-boy-makes-26-million-per-year-on-youtube-2019-12">which makes an estimated $26 million a year, per Forbes</a> - have begun expanding. In October, Ryan's World announced the launch of a new channel for Spanish-speaking viewers called "Ryan's World Español."</p><p>Radzinskaya - who was born in Russia but moved to the US with her family a year ago - speaks several languages like Russian, English, and Spanish (and is learning more).</p><p>With the help of entertainment company and global YouTube multi-channel network Yoola, Radzinskaya has expanded her digital business to nine multilingual channels, like "Stacy Toys" (English) with 25.4 million subscribers; "Like Nastya Vlog," with 46.8 million subscribers (Russian); and "Like Nastya" with 15.5 million subscribers (a mix of English and Russian).</p><p>Eyal Baumel, the CEO of Yoola, spoke with Business Insider about how the company takes a self-produced YouTube channel like Radzinskaya's and turns it into global success.</p><p class="source"><span>Yoola</span></p><p class="caption">Yoola.</p><h2>Some YouTube formats are better than others for a global strategy</h2><p>Before bringing on Radzinskaya, Yoola (which is based in Los Angeles but serves a large market in Russia) created several multilingual YouTube channels for the other creators it worked with, starting with English, German, and Russian, according to Baumel.</p><p>The company decided to apply that same strategy to Radzinskaya's YouTube business after noticing how fast these multilingual channels were growing.</p><p>Radzinskaya was a perfect candidate for this strategy because she already spoke both English and Russian, and was learning more (like Spanish).</p><p>"We believe that if you localize content, you can expand your audience," Baumel said. "We started working with talent to create different channels with similar content just in different languages that also take into consideration the different culture and languages."</p><p>Radzinskaya's videos, which are typically under 10 minutes long, feature her playing with toys or acting out scripted skits (that her mom writes) at home alongside her dad.</p><p>Baumel said that using different languages and localized content doesn't work for every creator, but that some formats travel very well, like kids content, DIY content, and life hacks.</p><h2>The Radzinskaya family keeps a strict schedule and only films on weekends</h2><p>Between Radzinskaya's school, homework, time with friends, and extra curriculars (like piano lessons and learning to speak more languages), the family had to develop a strict filming schedule, which keeps them on track with uploads. </p><p>They try to publish a video around three to four times a week to YouTube, and only film on the weekends, according to Baumel.</p><p>"The way the YouTube algorithm works, is that if you publish more videos a week you have a better chance of being featured or suggested," he said. "It's better to publish more videos than less. I would say to really be consistent, you need to publish two to three times a week."</p><p>Yoola works to help its YouTube clients create story arcs, crafting each YouTube video with a clear beginning, middle, and end, he said. </p><p>Radzinskaya's mom will typically create the skits for the videos, often bouncing ideas off her, Baumel said. Besides Yoola, Radzinskaya's team consists of her, her two parents, and two video editors. </p><p class="source"><span>Yoola</span></p><p class="caption">Anastasia Radzinskaya and her father.</p><h2>Turning down brand deals and leaning into consumer products</h2><p>Yoola signed the Radzinskaya family about two years ago, Baumel said. </p><p>Since then, it has worked with the family in developing consumer products, traditional media opportunities, apps, and strategic partnerships. </p><p>The Radzinskaya family has only promoted two companies across its YouTube channels over the past 12 months: Dannon and LegoLand. The family is pitched partnerships constantly, but turns down many offers.</p><p>Instead, the family is looking to grow its business in-house and develop its own brand around Anastasia. </p><p>Yoola has a ventures arm where it both invests in and assists creators in developing consumer products. The company's latest venture is a wellness brand and energy drink, cofounded with actor Ian Somerhalder. </p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dolan-twins-ethan-and-grayson-on-fragrance-brand-wakeheart-interview-2020-1">Developing consumer products</a> to sell directly to followers has become one of the top ways influencers are profiting off their digital brands.</p><p>The world's top-earning YouTube star, 8-year-old <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChGJGhZ9SOOHvBB0Y4DOO_w">Ryan Kaji</a>, who is know for his channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChGJGhZ9SOOHvBB0Y4DOO_w">Ryan's World</a> (23.7 million subscribers), built a lucrative empire off YouTube by developing partnerships with Walmart and Amazon, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-toy-business-of-youtube-star-ryan-toysreview-bonkers-toys-2019-9">by selling consumer products with Ryan's World branding</a>.</p><h2>'YouTube is the most consistant platform'</h2><p>Building a business away from YouTube's platform is one of the ways popular kids-entertainment channels are protecting themselves from YouTube's changing policies. </p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-yoola-revenue-coppa-eyal-baumel-2020-1">In January</a>, YouTube implemented an overhaul of its policies surrounding children's content, after its parent company Google paid $170 million to settle the Federal Trade Commission's allegations that the site had violated the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-yoola-revenue-coppa-eyal-baumel-2020-1">Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)</a> by collecting personal information from kids under 13 years old without parental consent.</p><p>COOPA changed the way advertisers buy ads on YouTube, but for now they are still able to purchase ads which play on a kids-focused channel, according to Baumel. </p><p>As an MCN, Yoola is partnered with YouTube, and the company has a team at YouTube they communicate with when these changes arise.  </p><p>"The smart way is to diversify your revenue sources," Baumel said. "But still, YouTube is the most consistant platform, in terms of revenue. You might have a drop, but you can still make a living off YouTube ads and they pay well to creators with a large audience."</p><p><strong><em><a href="http://newsletter.businessinsider.com/join/influencerdashboard">Sign up for Business Insider's influencer newsletter, Influencer Dashboard, to get more stories like this in your inbox.</a></em></strong></p><p><strong>For more on the business of YouTube influencers, check out these Business Insider Prime posts: </strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pocket-watch-built-youtube-channel-ryan-toysreview-into-business-empire-2019-10">Meet the company that turned YouTube's Ryan ToysReview into a business empire making tens of millions per year</a>: Kerry Tucker, the chief marketing officer at Pocket.Watch, spoke with Business Insider about how the kids-entertainment company takes YouTube stars like Kaji and turns their online brands into lucrative empires. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-toy-business-of-youtube-star-ryan-toysreview-bonkers-toys-2019-9">Inside the toy business of YouTube star Ryan ToysReview</a>: We spoke with Deborah Stallings Stumm, the senior vice president of sales and marketing at the toy-manufacturing company Bonkers Toys, on what makes a successful partnership between a toy company and an influencer. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lauren-riihimaki-laurdiy-youtube-channel-business-how-she-did-it-2019-12">The queen of DIY on YouTube, LaurDIY, tells us how she built her business empire - from search to merch to a new HBO show</a>: Lauren Riihimaki shared her journey on YouTube, which started during her first year of college, and how she's expanded her digital brand.</li></ul>            <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-photos-apple-icloud-iphone-storage-space-2018-12">I switched to Google Photos after using iCloud for 5 years and I'm never going back</a></h3>

A 6-year-old YouTube star is making an estimated $18 million a year. We talked to the company behind her global strategy.

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="2535309" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Paul-Wesley">Paul Wesley</keyword> and <keyword id="248874" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Nina-Dobrev">Nina Dobrev</keyword> met through their roles as Stefan and Elena on "<keyword id="825399" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="The-Vampire-Diaries">The Vampire Diaries</keyword>."</li><li>Dobrev said that they actually "despised each other" at the start of the series.</li><li>The actress said that nowadays, Wesley is the "TVD" costar she's closest to. </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/nina-dobrev">Nina Dobrev</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/paul-wesley">Paul Wesley</a> have come a long way since they met during the audition process for "<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/the-vampire-diaries">The Vampire Diaries</a>."</p><p>The supernatural show, based on a book series by L. J. Smith, premiered on The CW in September 2009. It became an instant hit for the network, concluding after eight seasons in March 2017. </p><p>Even though it's been years since the series ended, Dobrev and Wesley remain close friends. </p><p>Here's a complete timeline of their friendship.</p><h2>Dobrev and Wesley met during a chemistry read for 'TVD'</h2><div type="image" title="paul wesley nina dobrev january 2010" height="1900" width="2533" msid="81440631" hostid="261"></div><p>The early seasons of the series centered on a love triangle involving Elena Gilbert (Dobrev), Stefan Salvatore (Wesley), and Damon Salvatore (<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/ian-somerhalder">Ian Somerhalder</a>). <a href="https://www.insider.com/the-vampire-diaries-fun-facts-things-to-know">Wesley was the last of the three stars to be cast</a>, after an extensive search for the right actor to play the brooding vampire. </p><p>"I showed up to the test and I'm not exaggerating, there were literally 15 guys there from everywhere from Australia to England to New York City," Wesley recalled during an interview with <a href="https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/09/the-vampire-diaries-pilot-oral-history/">Entertainment Weekly</a> in 2019.</p><p>Wesley stood out because he didn't give Dobrev the time of day. </p><p>"I remember that Paul was the only one who didn't speak to me unless we were speaking on camera," the actress told EW. "Everyone else was trying to schmooze with me and flirt with me because it's a chemistry read, and that was my first-ever chemistry read so I thought that's what it was supposed to be as well."</p><p>She continued, "I was trying to get a vibe: who did I have the most sexual tension with? And because Paul didn't speak to me, we had the least sexual tension."</p><p>For his part, Wesley said that he didn't acknowledge the <a href="https://www.insider.com/degrassi-the-next-generation-cast-where-are-they-now-2018-6">"Degrassi" alum</a> - even refusing to make eye contact with her. They were reading the scene from "TVD" when Stefan and Elena met for the first time, and Wesley figured that the most natural way to emulate that would be if he didn't interact with Dobrev until they began the audition.</p><h2>Dobrev 'couldn't imagine anyone else' playing Stefan </h2><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries elena stefan 115" height="1397" width="1863" msid="81440634" hostid="261"></div><p>"TVD" co-creator Kevin Williamson told EW that he and the people in charge of casting weren't interested in Wesley until he was paired up with Dobrev.</p><p>"We ultimately had the best chemistry," Dobrev said. "It's the kind of thing where you can see it on screen and you get an energy from the room that I maybe didn't have a barometer on, but he was absolutely the right choice and the best person for the role."</p><p>"I couldn't imagine anyone else being Stefan and I'm so grateful that they chose him because now he's one of my closest friends and we have a friendship that will last forever - vampire pun intended," she added.</p><h2>September 10, 2009: 'TVD' premiered on The CW</h2><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries elena stefan 101 1" height="1452" width="1942" msid="81440635" hostid="261"></div><p>The show came during the peak of the vampire craze rebirth, with movies and shows like "<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/twilight">Twilight</a>" and "True Blood" garnering global audiences.</p><p>The pilot drew 4.9 million viewers, <a href="https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/01/vampire-diaries-star-nina-dobrev.html">setting a record for the largest series premiere debut</a> since The CW was founded in 2006.  </p><p>Dobrev and Wesley's characters began as love interests - abbreviated to Stelena.</p><p>But as the season progressed, Elena developed stronger feelings for Damon, the older of the Salvatore brothers.</p><p>She and Damon (known as Delena) shared several romantic moments, then she definitively picked him at the end of season four. Dobrev and Somerhalder <a href="https://www.insider.com/nina-dobrev-ian-somerhalder-nikki-reed-friendship-watch-what-happens-live-video-2019-1">reportedly dated from 2010 to 2013</a>. They <a href="https://www.insider.com/co-stars-broke-up-in-real-life-kept-working-together-2019-8">continued to play love interests on "TVD" after their relationship ended</a>. </p><p>Meanwhile, Stefan ended up with Caroline Forbes (Candice King).</p><h2>Unbeknownst to fans, Dobrev and Wesley 'despised each other' at the start of the show</h2><div type="image" title="the vampire diaries elena stefan 116 1" height="1418" width="2392" msid="81440637" hostid="261"></div><p>Dobrev stunned fans in June 2019, when she appeared on "TVD" costars Candice King and Kayla Ewell's podcast called "<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/1fFY3ORiTZm5DXLvrdYXhh?si=roti97FeSX-forbxKY3zvA">Directionally Challenged</a>" and revealed that she and Wesley "didn't get along at the beginning of the show."</p><p>"I respected Paul Wesley, I didn't like Paul Wesley," the "Flatliners" star said.</p><p>Dobrev continued: "I realize now that there's a fine line between love and hate, and we despised each other so much that it read as love but… we really just didn't get along for maybe the first five months of shooting."</p><p>Wesley echoed her comments while speaking to reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour in August of that year, per <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/paul-wesley-clashed-with-nina-dobrev-on-the-vampire-diaries/">Us Weekly</a>.</p><p>"We totally clashed [the] first couple years in terms of just getting on each other's nerves, and then developed this wonderful friendship," he said.</p><p>Similarly, Dobrev told King and Ewell that they "ended up getting to a good place and it was fine."</p><p>"Of everyone, I think I probably see him the most and hang out with him the most," she said. "We're probably the closest."</p><p>"It's so funny how time changes everything because I never thought he would be one of my best friends," Dobrev said of Wesley, adding that she's also fond of his wife named Ines de Ramon. </p><h2>July 23, 2013: Dobrev posted a collage in celebration of Wesley's 31st birthday</h2><p>The actress <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/cIsMtdH3cB/">shared three photos</a>: One showing Wesley's cut birthday cake, another of him holding treat, and a selfie of him and Dobrev. </p><h2>July 28, 2013: Wesley shared a selfie of him with Dobrev and Somerhalder, who he calls 'Smoldeypants'</h2><p>In addition to being good friends with Dobrev, Wesley also <a href="https://www.insider.com/ian-somerhalder-paul-wesley-friendship-relationship-timeline-vampire-diaries">remains close with the star who played his on-screen brother</a>. </p><h2>July 23, 2014: Dobrev posted a tribute to Wesley on his birthday</h2><p>The <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/q0bBvKH3dI/">photo</a> showed Wesley striking a silly pose with their "TVD" costar Penelope Mitchell, who played Liv Parker. </p><h2>July 26, 2014: Dobrev, Wesley, and their 'TVD' costars appeared at San Diego Comic-Con</h2><p>The actors attended SDCC, arguably the most popular convention, for several years as "TVD" aired on The CW. </p><h2>April 13, 2015: Dobrev posted a photo with Wesley commemorating her last Stelena scene with him</h2><p>In early April of that year, the actress shared a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/1JyBOdn3eW/">lengthy post</a> announcing that she was leaving "TVD."</p><p>"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," she said. </p><p>A few days after the shocking announcement, Dobrev posted a Polaroid with Wesley on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/1b6UXpn3fp/">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ninadobrev/status/587782318133223424">Twitter</a>.  </p><p>"Just finished filming my last Stefan and Elena scene with the amazing @paulvedere /@paulwesley<br />Crazy.  So many emotions. I'm lost for words. #Stelena #TVDFamily #PolaroidSeries," she wrote. </p><p>Wesley responded to Dobrev's tweet with the broken heart emoji. </p><h2>May 14, 2015: Ahead of the release of her final episode of 'TVD,' Dobrev posted throwback photos with Wesley and her costars</h2><h2>February 7, 2017: Dobrev posted a photo with Wesley, seemingly marking 8 years of knowing each other</h2><p>"8 years. @paulvedere," she captioned the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BQOB18SAkbV/">selfie</a>.</p><p>In response, Wesley commented with the red heart emoji.</p><h2>March 10, 2017: The series finale of 'TVD' aired, featuring the return of Dobrev as Elena</h2><p>Leading up to the release of the episode, the stars shared old photos on social media. </p><p>Wesley posted a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRedJsSlTxs/">photo</a> from early in his "TVD" journey with the caption: "Me and Dobreva- London circa 2010."</p><p>Dobrev posted several <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRe3XM-AsVj/">photos</a> with Wesley and her other costars, writing: "My undead brothers... I thought vampires weren't supposed to age. Lol. We definitely don't look the same after 8 years, but the make up helped. Raising a glass to celebrate 8 wonderful seasons together, it has been such a beautiful (and liver damaging) adventure knowing you all. Cheers family."</p><p>Viewers were also thrilled that Dobrev reprised her life-changing role for the finale. </p><h2>December 10, 2017: Months after 'TVD' ended, they had a 'serendipitous' run-in while in NYC</h2><p>"NYC when it's snowing is full of serendipitous run ins and magical reunions. Like this one. #TVDForever #NYCNOW," Dobrev captioned a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BchyW_gFm2a/">photo</a> of her and Wesley. </p><p>In response, Wesley <a href="https://twitter.com/paulwesley/status/940265026203643909">tweeted</a>: "Long overdue (posthumous) reunion"</p><h2>May 17, 2018: They reunited again in NY</h2><p>"Excuse me sir, you look familiar. I feel like we've met before. Maybe in a past life?" Dobrev captioned a black-and-white <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4g_F3hdQ7/">photo</a> of the two stars hanging out in NY.</p><h2>September 2018: Wesley surprised Dobrev with a visit to the set of her sitcom titled 'Fam'</h2><p>Dobrev posted a video of the moment on her Instagram story (which E! News <a href="https://twitter.com/enews/status/1041386238249324544">reposted</a> below) with the caption: "When your Fam comes to see you at FAM," she captioned the video. "#WorldsColliding."</p><p>The video showed Dobrev alongside her "Fam" costars doing a curtain call. When she posted Wesley standing in the front section of the audience, she screamed and ran over to him. </p><p>"What are you doing here?" Dobrev asked as they hugged. Then she ran back to the stage to rejoin her castmates. </p><p>Months later, Dobrev <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qITegWkKmY">told E! News</a> that Wesley happened to be nearby on that day because he was meeting with Aaron Kaplan, an executive producer on "Fam" and Wesley's show "Tell Me a Story." </p><p>"He stayed and watched and it was a great little reunion," she said.  </p><h2>November 30, 2018: Dobrev posted a throwback with Wesley from her 21st birthday </h2><p>"#FBF Vegas. My 21st bday. Blue steel. Weird hat. Paul's famous hair... undone. You're welcome," she captioned the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqz8K61AyEd/">photo</a>. </p><h2>August 1, 2019: Wesley opened up about how his friendship evolved over the years</h2><p>The actor told <a href="https://www.etonline.com/paul-wesley-reacts-to-nina-dobrev-saying-they-despised-each-other-on-vampire-diaries-set-exclusive">Entertainment Tonight</a> that Dobrev's comments about them "despising" each other were "absolutely true."</p><p>"The fans would never have known that," Wesley said. "We're basically driving each other insane and then after a few seasons, we developed this absolute mutual love. I actually think my best friendships always come from this evolution. And so now, I just adore her, she adores me and I talk to her more than most of the other cast members."</p><p>He also said that fans were probably shocked because their on-screen relationship "was the pillar of the love story, I suppose, in the first few seasons and people were like, 'What do you mean they didn't get along?'"</p><h2>October 15, 2019: Dobrev and Wesley teamed up for a video that poked fun at their rocky history</h2><p>"I 'despise' you ♥️," Dobrev captioned a post on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3paxjdA9FN/">Instagram</a>.</p><p>In the video,  the two stars <a href="https://www.insider.com/vampire-diaries-paul-wesley-nina-dobrev-react-to-despising-each-other-video-2019-10">met up near a pool and talked about the headlines regarding their former feud</a>. </p><p>"It was so stupid," Dobrev told Wesley. "You know how much I love you. That's what I was trying to get across, but obviously they took one sentence out of context."</p><p>He agreed that it was "blown out of proportion" and said that he doesn't hold grudges. </p><p>"I love you. Thank you, I appreciate it," Dobrev said, leaning in for a hug.</p><p>Instead, Wesley pushed her into the nearby pool and walked away.</p><p>Showing that there was no bad blood between them, Wesley commented on Dobrev's post: "Hahahaha YES!!! ❤️ you Dobreva." </p><h2>January 5, 2020: They reunited at a Golden Globes after-party </h2><div type="image" title="nina dobrev paul wesley golden globes after party january 2020" height="1285" width="1714" msid="81440639" hostid="261"></div><p>The party, hosted by InStyle and Warner Bros., took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in California. Somerhalder was also in attendance. </p><h2>September 7, 2020: Dobrev and Wesley met up for a 'puppy playdate' with their pets</h2><p>"hard to teach a buncha old dawgs new tricks #puppyplaydate," Dobrev captioned a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CE2ApkbAN9A/">photo</a> of herself and her dog named Maverick with Wesley, his wife, and the couple's pup named Gregory. </p><p>The actress posted additional photos and videos on her Instagram story. </p><div type="image" title="paul wesley nina dobrev puppy playdate september 2020" height="900" width="1508" msid="81440641" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>October 9, 2020: Dobrev posted a 'blast from the past' with Wesley and Somerhalder</strong></h2><p>It's unclear when the throwback <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGIDiSNAT3F/">photo</a> was taken, but it appeared to be from the set of "TVD."</p><h2>November 15, 2020: The stars jokingly said that Justin Bieber is their 'love child'</h2><div type="image" title="nina dobrev paul wesley july 2014" height="2099" width="2800" msid="81440642" hostid="261"></div><p>The comments came after E! News <a href="https://twitter.com/enews/status/1328099252640358400">posted throwback photos</a> on social media of Wesley and Bieber, who shared a striking resemblance when they were kids. </p><p>"He's my son," Wesley <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHoIXX0l_Vu/">said</a> of the Canadian singer. </p><p>In response, Dobrev said, "our love child."</p><p>Continuing the ruse, Wesley tagged his "TVD" costar and wrote: "#proudparents #wemissyouson #callusback."</p><h2>February 7, 2021: Dobrev, Wesley, and their partners went on a ski trip together</h2><p>The "TVD" stars shared plenty of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLCxW6OA6xm/">photos</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLAeBa1B7m6/">videos</a> from the slopes, accompanied by de Ramon and Shaun White, the professional snowboarder who's been <a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/nina-dobrev-and-shaun-whites-relationship-timeline-photos">linked to Dobrev since early 2020</a>. They've since made their relationship <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLSSXlqghjd/">Instagram official</a>.</p>

A complete timeline of 'The Vampire Diaries' costars Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley's friendship

<p><div class="image-container float_right"><div class="image"><p class="source">David Livingston and Michael Loccisano / Getty Images</p><p class="caption">Dakota Johnson and Charlie Hunnam will star in the movie adaptation of "<keyword id="1128376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="50-shades-of-grey">50 Shades of Grey</keyword>."</p></div></div></p>
<p>After months of speculation, "50 Shades of Grey" author <keyword id="1122122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="E-L-James">E.L. James</keyword> <a href="https://twitter.com/E_L_James" target="_blank">announced on Twitter</a> that the lead roles of the movie adaptation have been <keyword id="17184" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Cast">cast</keyword>.</p>
<p><span>Dakota Johnson will star as Anastasia Steele, a 21-year-old college senior, and <span>Charlie Hunnam will play <span>Christian Grey, a successful and wealthy young entrepreneur.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span>James, who was recently named the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-james-is-forbes-richest-author-thanks-to-fifty-shades-of-grey-2013-8" target="_blank">World's Top-Earning Author by Forbes</a>, tweeted on Monday:</span></span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I am delighted to let you know that the lovely Dakota Johnson has agreed to be our Anastasia in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.</p>
- E L James (@E_L_James) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_L_James/statuses/374547436913446914">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The gorgeous and talented Charlie Hunnam will be Christian Grey in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.</p>
- E L James (@E_L_James) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_L_James/statuses/374562375854075904">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>To all the supporters, lovers and haters - thank you so much for the passion that you have for this project. You all rock. All of you. ?</p>
- E L James (@E_L_James) <a href="https://twitter.com/E_L_James/statuses/374605196984188929">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p>Johnson, 23, is the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson. She is best known for her leading role in Fox's one-season comedy, "Ben &amp; Kate," and a cameo as the one-night-stand partner of Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) in "The Social Network."</p>
<p>Fresh off his summer blockbuster "Pacific Rim," Hunnam currently stars in FX's "Sons of Anarchy."</p>
<p>The role of Anastasia was a coveted one, and the likes of Emma Watson, Shailene Woodley, Alicia Vikander and Analeigh Tipton <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/02/dakota-johnson-50-shades-of-grey_n_3856308.html" target="_blank">were all considered</a>.</p>
<p>Hunnam <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/09/02/dakota-johnson-fifty-shades-of-grey/2755219/" target="_blank">allegedly won out over</a> Armie Hammer, Matt Bomer, Ian Somerhalder, Henry Cavill, Alex Pettyfer, Robert Pattinson, and Alexander Skarsgard.</p>
<p>The best-seller's movie adaptation is expected to hit theaters in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/el-james-is-forbes-richest-author-thanks-to-fifty-shades-of-grey-2013-8http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/09/02/dakota-johnson-nabs-fifty-shades-of-grey-role/" target="_blank">August 1, 2014</a>.</p>

Dakota Johnson And Charlie Hunnam Cast As Leads In '50 Shades Of Grey' Movie

<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="image-container float_right"><div class="image"><p class="source">Kevin Winter and Frazer Harrison / Getty Images</p></div></div>Not surprisingly, fans of the erotica book "<keyword id="1128376" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="50-shades-of-grey">50 Shades of Grey</keyword>" feel <em>passionately</em> about the movie adaptation's <keyword id="233630" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Casting">casting</keyword>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Many are complaining that the leads aren't hot enough.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Matt Bomer (<span>"White Collar"</span>) and Ian Somerhalder ("Vampire Diaries") emerged as early favorites to replace "Sons of Anarchy" actor <keyword id="1490466" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Charlie-Hunnam">Charlie Hunnam</keyword> as Christian Grey.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span><span>Fans are demanding Alexis Bledel ("Gilmore Girls") substitute <keyword id="1496583" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Dakota-Johnson">Dakota Johnson</keyword> as the movie's protagonist, Anastasia. </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Bledel and Bomer appear on a petition calling for the casting swap on <a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/we-want-matt-bomer-and-alexis-bledel-as-christian-grey-and-anastasia-steele-we-want-matt-and-alexis-on-50-shades" target="_blank">Change.org</a>. As of Tuesday afternoon, the petition claimed 7,300 signatures.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Outraged fans targeted producer Dana Brunetti, who <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti" target="_blank">responded on Twitter</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc.</p>
- Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti/statuses/374649878388817921">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>So if your favorite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective.</p>
- Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti/statuses/374650401443704832">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>There can only be one... and it is done.</p>
- Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti/statuses/374741601697800192">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>

<p>Those disappointed by the casting announcement offered their suggestions:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I'm never going to be able to watch 50 Shades of Grey. The guy in it looks far too much like Alan from the Hangover.</p>
- Conner Paterson (@Conner_P) <a href="https://twitter.com/Conner_P/statuses/374950459322404864">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>When I heard about the cast of 50 Shades of Grey..... :( <a href="http://t.co/CNverp5RSP">pic.twitter.com/CNverp5RSP</a></p>
- Miss Somerhalder :) (@XimeCM_ISF) <a href="https://twitter.com/XimeCM_ISF/statuses/374657767916597248">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>50 shades of Grey <a href="http://t.co/wwvcXddWVP">pic.twitter.com/wwvcXddWVP</a></p>
- ¤ (@Finnickness) <a href="https://twitter.com/Finnickness/statuses/374686629921038336">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>All these girls upset with the cast of 50 shades of grey because the dude wasn't Ryan Gosling and I'm over here like where is Nicholas Cage?</p>
- Justin Gorton (@jgorton3) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgorton3/statuses/374946814241550337">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<p>Others felt prompted to take jabs at author <keyword id="1122122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="E-L-James">E.L. James</keyword>' kinky bestseller:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"50 Shades of Grey": the classy way to masturbate.</p>
- Zach Braff (@zachbraff) <a href="https://twitter.com/zachbraff/statuses/374674589785141248">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The 50 Shades of Grey leads have been cast, bringing moviegoers one step closer to demanding their money back.</p>
- Comedy Central (@ComedyCentral) <a href="https://twitter.com/ComedyCentral/statuses/374933475662364672">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>The human eye can see 525 different shades of grey so why are we only focusing on 50 of them? That's greycist.</p>
- Billy Berry! (@Blackalogy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Blackalogy/statuses/372288396963479552">August 27, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>50 Shades Of Grey They Must Be Talking About Carol's Hair Right?</p>
- Hershel Greene (@HershelGreene1) <a href="https://twitter.com/HershelGreene1/statuses/374946012588044288">September 3, 2013</a></blockquote>

<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Celebrities took to Twitter to express their jealousy:</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Congrats to Charlie Hunnam on the 50 Shades of Grey role. It was a tough fight but the actor with the longer hair won. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bummed&amp;src=hash">#bummed</a></p>
- RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) <a href="https://twitter.com/rainnwilson/statuses/374588861394857984">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I lost the role in 50 Shades of Grey so you won't be hearing from me for awhile</p>
- Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) <a href="https://twitter.com/lenadunham/statuses/374571890527842304">September 2, 2013</a></blockquote>

<p>Here were some of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/50-shades-of-grey-casting-the-film-2012-5" target="_blank">our casting suggestions</a> for the film.</p>
<p>Fans of the Batman franchise <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ben-affleck-batman-internet-reacts-2013-8" target="_blank">reacted similarly</a>, by sharing their outrage on Twitter when Ben Affleck was cast as the Caped Crusader.</p>

'50 Shades Of Grey' Fans Express Outrage On Twitter That Cast Isn't Hot Enough

<p>"Fifty Shades of Grey" may have <a href="http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-fifty-shades-of-grey-torches-records-with-94-4-million-debut-1201434780/" target="_blank">dominated the box office</a> this weekend, but it wasn't exactly easy adapting E.L. James' best selling novel for the big screen.</p><p>While Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan ended up playing Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, respectively, finding the right chemistry between two actors with available schedules proved fairly difficult.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Initially, "Sons of Anarchy" </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402271/" target="_blank">actor Charlie Hunnam</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> was cast as Christian Grey, but many fans of the book didn't approve of the choice.</span><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>A<span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;petition to re-cast the movie garnered&#xa0;<a href="https://www.change.org/petitions/we-want-matt-bomer-and-alexis-bledel-as-christian-grey-and-anastasia-steele-on-50-shades" target="_blank">20,000 signatures on Change.org</a>, and due to&#xa0;<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/12/charlie-hunnam-exits-50-shades-of-grey_n_4089955.html" target="_hplink">scheduling conflicts</a>&#xa0;<span>and&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/16/charlie-hunnam-50-shades-of-grey-script_n_4109370.html" target="_hplink">reported clashes between Hunnam and Universal Pictures,</a>&#xa0;Hunnam eventually dropped out of the project.</span><p><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Just 11 days later, "Once Upon A Time" actor Jamie Dornan was cast in the role.</span></p><p><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Amid all of the casting back-and-forth,&#xa0;</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">the film's producer Dana&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Brunetti&#xa0;</span><a href="https://twitter.com/DanaBrunetti" target="_blank">tweeted</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;somewhat of an explanation</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">:</span></span></p><p class="p3" style="padding-left: 30px;">"There is a lot that goes into casting that isn't just looks. Talent, availability, their desire to do it, chemistry with other actor, etc … So if your favorite wasn't cast, then it is most likely due to something on that list. Keep that in mind while hating and keep perspective."</p><p class="p3">Brunetti was apparently hinting at the handful of actors who actually turned down the leading roles.</p><p class="p4"><span>While "50 Shades" author E.L. James has said actor&#xa0;</span>Ryan Gosling<span>&#xa0;was the original prototype for Christian Grey, he&#xa0;<a href="http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2013/08/ryan-gosling-is-being-considered-for-batman-in-the-man-of-steel-sequel" target="_blank">doesn't do sequels</a>.</span></p><p class="p3">"50 Shades" is a&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/fifty-shades-of-grey-already-has-two-sequels-lined-up-2015-2" target="_blank">guaranteed trilogy</a>.</p><p class="p3"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Before Hunnam got the gig, Garrett Hedlund reportedly turned it down.</span><p class="p4"><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;">"Hedlund&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">was heavily courted by Universal, but the 'Tron: Legacy'&#xa0;star passed in July because he couldn't connect with the character," according to&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fifty-shades-grey-casting-shailene-619871" target="_blank">The Hollywood Reporter</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></p><p class="p4"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Backing for "White Collar" actor&#xa0;Matt Bomer was so strong that a&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/455835/matt-bomer-responds-to-fifty-shades-of-grey-petition-i-m-so-grateful-for-the-fans" target="_blank">petition started by fans</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;to cast him garnered almost 100,000 signatures.</span><p class="embed-spacer"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Other actors in the mix included "Magic Mike" star Alex Pettyfer, who <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/saga-behind-casting-fifty-shades-grey-306659" target="_blank">auditioned for the role</a>,&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Gossip Girl" actor</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Chace Crawford, </span><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/02/06/tie-me-up-please-chace-crawford-guns-for-50-shades-grey/" target="_blank">who publicly stated</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> he would "love the challenge" of the role, A</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">lexander Skarsgård said on&#xa0;"A</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">ccess Hollywood</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">" he was "born to play" Christian Grey,&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">and&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The Vampire Diaries" star,</span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Ian Somerhalder, told Ryan Seacrest&#xa0;that being cast "would be an incredible thing. Hopefully that could pan out."</span><p class="p4"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Fans had their own casting ideas, pushing for Somerhalder as Christian Grey and Alexis Bledel to play Anastasia Steele, in a fan-created mashup trailer that received over a million views.</span></p><div><div></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The role of Anastasia Steele was also a tricky one to cast.</span></p><p class="hs-text-container" dir="ltr">According to <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/saga-behind-casting-fifty-shades-grey-306659" target="_blank">Newsweek</a>, "'Pretty Little Liars'&#xa0;star Lucy Hale auditioned, as did 'The Carrie Diaries''&#xa0;Chloe Bridges, but neither was quite prepared to tackle the subject matter. Hale said the audition made her 'uncomfortable.'"</p><p class="hs-text-container" dir="ltr"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Bridges, meanwhile, <a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2013/09/11/carrie-diaries-chloe-bridges-fifty-shades-of-grey-audition" target="_blank">told&#xa0;Cosmopolitan</a>&#xa0;the role was too risqué.</span><p dir="ltr">"The scene was, like, the girl telling her friends about some sexcapade she had," explained Bridges. "But it goes into extreme detail and uses the word 'sperm' a couple times. I was like, 'I don't know, guys, I have to go home to my grandparent's house in a few months at Christmas, I don't know if I can do this.'"</p><p dir="ltr"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Despite early rumors that Emma Watson was being considered, the "Harry Potter" actress tweeted:</span><div><div></div></div><p class="embed-spacer">And so, the role went to Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson's 25-year-old daughter, Dakota Johnson, who had previously only appeared in&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-dakota-johnson-fifty-shades-actress-famous-family-2015-2" target="_blank">minor but memorable roles</a> in "21 Jump Street"&#xa0;and "The Social Network."</p><p class="embed-spacer"><em><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Whether "Fifty Shades" fans agreed with the Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan casting or not, they clearly have star power as the duo pulled in a </span><a href="http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-fifty-shades-of-grey-torches-records-with-94-4-million-debut-1201434780/" target="_blank">record-breaking</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=fiftyshadesofgrey.htm" target="_blank">$266 million worldwide</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;over President's Day weekend.</span></p><p class="embed-spacer"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-headphones-tricks-2015-2">14 things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="o2OGM3czpWcydnvhjbkDBd6feXPuExiD" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

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