If you’ve spent any time in the Vampire Diaries fandom, you know the "shipping" never actually stops. Fans are still obsessed. But while everyone was busy tracking Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder for a decade, Zach Roerig—our forever human Matt Donovan—quietly built one of the most interesting and low-key dating histories in Hollywood.
People always ask about the current Zach Roerig girlfriend situation because he isn't exactly a loud-mouth on social media. He doesn't post every meal or every argument. Honestly, he’s a bit of a mystery.
But things changed in April 2025.
At a fan convention in Georgia—specifically the "I Was Feeling Epic" event—Zach basically broke the internet (or at least the TVD side of it). He walked up to Arielle Kebbel with a massive bouquet of flowers and kissed her right in front of everyone. No cryptic captions. No "sources say." Just a very public confirmation that Lexi Branson and Matt Donovan are officially a thing.
The Arielle Kebbel Romance: From Hallmark to Real Life
It’s kinda funny how life works. Arielle and Zach were on the same show for years but barely shared the screen. Lexi was busy being Stefan’s bestie, and Matt was busy... well, staying alive as a human. They didn't really have a "thing" back then.
Then came 2023. They were cast together in a Hallmark movie called Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance. They played archeologists who were exes. You know the drill—lots of tension, beautiful scenery, and a scripted happy ending.
Apparently, the chemistry didn't stop when the cameras did.
During that Georgia convention where they went public, Zach actually said something that made every fan in the room melt. He mentioned that he thought Arielle was one of the most beautiful women to ever walk onto the Vampire Diaries set twelve years ago. He added that he still feels the exact same way today. Talk about a long game.
Why This Relationship Hits Different
Most celebrity couples feel like they’re part of a PR machine. This doesn't. Zach and Arielle are both veterans of the industry who have been through the ringer.
Arielle has been a staple in everything from John Tucker Must Die to 9-1-1. Zach has been working steadily since his soap opera days. They aren't kids anymore. They’re both in their late 30s (Zach is 40 now, actually), and there's a groundedness to them that fans really respect.
A History of Co-Star Connections
Zach has a "type," and that type seems to be talented women he works with. It makes sense. When you’re filming 14-hour days in Atlanta, you don’t have time to go on Tinder.
- Candice King (Accola): They dated back in 2011. It lasted about a year. It was sweet, wholesome, and they even posted some cute Instagram photos before "wholesome" was a curated aesthetic.
- Nathalie Kelley: She played Sybil in the final season. They started dating in 2016. It was short-lived, but they seemed happy for the brief window they were together.
- Alana Turner: This is the one that was different. Alana wasn't a co-star. She is the mother of Zach's daughter.
The Side of Zach Most People Miss
You can't talk about Zach’s life or his relationships without mentioning his daughter. In 2013, he made headlines for a pretty intense legal battle. He sought full custody of his daughter after Alana Turner was incarcerated.
He won.
Being a single dad in Hollywood is no joke. He’s kept his daughter out of the spotlight for the most part, which is probably why he’s so selective about who he brings into his life. The fact that Arielle is now the official Zach Roerig girlfriend says a lot about her. You don’t bring someone around your kid unless it’s the real deal.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Dating Life
There’s this weird rumor that pops up every few years that Zach dated Julie Plec, the show’s creator. Honestly? There is zero evidence for that. People just like to stir the pot because they stayed close friends after the show ended.
Another misconception is that he and Candice King had some "nasty" fallout. While some Reddit threads claim there was drama involving his daughter, the truth is they’ve been seen at the same conventions for years and seem perfectly fine. Celebs are allowed to break up and just... be adults about it.
The Future for Zach and Arielle
Right now, they both have huge projects going on.
- Arielle Kebbel is killing it on Rescue: HI-Surf on FOX.
- Zach Roerig is starring in The Waterfront, a Netflix series by Kevin Williamson (the man who started the TVD universe).
They’re a bit of a power couple in the "Kevin Williamson Cinematic Universe" if you think about it.
Fans are obviously wondering if there will be a wedding. There hasn't been an announcement yet. They seem content just enjoying the fact that they don't have to hide anymore. They post the occasional photo, they support each other's shows, and they show up to fan events together.
It’s refreshing. In an era where every "it-couple" is doing TikTok dances and brand deals, Zach and Arielle feel like a real couple you’d meet at a local bar in Ohio or Georgia.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to keep up with them, skip the tabloid sites. They usually just recycle old news from 2012.
Follow their actual verified socials. Arielle is way more active on Instagram than Zach is. She often shares glimpses of her life that don't feel over-produced. Also, if you haven't seen Love in the Great Smoky Mountains, go find it on a streaming service. Watching it now, knowing they were actually falling in love during filming, makes the cheesy Hallmark dialogue way more entertaining.
Keep an eye on the credits for The Waterfront too. It’s a gritty drama, a massive departure from the "Nice Guy Matt Donovan" vibe, and it’s arguably the best work Zach has ever done.
Stay tuned to official casting news rather than gossip blogs. If these two decide to tie the knot, it’ll likely be a private ceremony that we only hear about weeks later. And honestly? That’s exactly how it should be.
