Vampire Diaries Stars Arielle Kebbel and Zach Roerig Confirm Breakup

The former costars have split after going public with their relationship last year.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Arielle Kebbel, who played Lexi Branson on The Vampire Diaries, has confirmed her breakup with costar Zach Roerig, who played Matt Donovan on the show. Kebbel opened up about the split on Kaitlyn Bristowe's podcast, describing it as "one of the hardest things I've ever done." The couple had gone public with their relationship in 2025 at a Vampire Diaries fan convention, but have now gone their separate ways.

Why it matters

The Vampire Diaries has a long history of turning costars into real-life couples, with several past and present cast members finding love on set. Kebbel and Roerig's split marks the end of another Mystic Falls romance, though it seems the two remain on good terms as Kebbel focuses on her own personal growth and her new role in the Yellowstone spinoff Marshals.

The details

Kebbel and Roerig, both 41, had kept their relationship relatively private until appearing together at the 'I Was Feeling Epic' Vampire Diaries fan convention in Covington, Georgia in 2025. There, Roerig surprised Kebbel with flowers and the two shared a kiss onstage, confirming their romance to fans. However, Kebbel has now revealed the relationship has ended, calling it "one of the hardest things I've ever done." She says the breakup has pushed her to "change patterns" for her "heart" and "soul" going forward.

  • In April 2025, Kebbel and Roerig went public with their relationship at a Vampire Diaries fan convention in Covington, Georgia.
  • On February 19, 2026, Kebbel confirmed the split on Kaitlyn Bristowe's podcast Off the Vine.

The players

Arielle Kebbel

An American actress who played Lexi Branson on the supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries.

Zach Roerig

An American actor who played Matt Donovan on The Vampire Diaries.

Kaitlyn Bristowe

A Canadian television personality who hosts the podcast Off the Vine.

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What they’re saying

“For me, definitely, it was one of the hardest things I've ever done.”

— Arielle Kebbel (Off the Vine)

The takeaway

Kebbel and Roerig's split marks the end of another Vampire Diaries-inspired real-life romance, but the two seem to be handling the breakup with maturity and grace. Kebbel's focus on personal growth and her new high-profile acting role suggest she is moving forward in a positive direction after this difficult chapter.