Shaun White appeared upbeat and reflective in his first television interview since reports that he and fiancée Nina Dobrev had ended their relationship, telling NBC's Today Show on Tuesday that he plans to attend the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan as a spectator and supporter.
"This will be my first Winter Olympics where I'm not competing, so a lot of feelings there," White said on the program, adding that he was "excited to support and check it out." The former professional snowboarder, who won Olympic gold in the halfpipe in 2006, said returning to Italy will bring back memories and joked he "might have to bring the hair back." White, 39, said he expects to "run around, definitely supporting my friends competing and just taking it in."
The interview followed reports that White and Dobrev, 36, had called off their engagement after five years together. Fans began to speculate about the status of their relationship after Dobrev was seen without her engagement ring at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month. A source told People the split was a "mutual decision" and "wasn't an easy one," and said it was made "with love and a deep respect for one another."
Media outlets have also cited a source who attributed the split to differing priorities. The Daily Mail quoted an insider saying White, who retired from competitive snowboarding after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, was ready to focus on marriage and starting a family, while Dobrev remained more focused on advancing her acting career. That account said White was also pursuing entrepreneurial interests after his athletic career.
White kept the interview focused largely on the sport and the upcoming games, reflecting on his Olympic past and the shift in perspective that retirement has brought. He noted that 2026 will be the first Winter Olympics he attends not as a competitor and that he looks forward to celebrating teammates and friends. When asked about returning to Italy, he recalled his debut Olympic triumph in Torino in 2006 and framed the trip as both nostalgic and celebratory.
Representatives for White and Dobrev did not immediately provide comments beyond earlier statements. Both have kept much of their private life out of public view, and their reported decision to separate was described by one source as made with respect for each other's goals.
As White prepares to attend the Milan-Cortina games in February 2026, he said his role will be supportive: watching former rivals and teammates, enjoying the competition and revisiting the country where his Olympic career began.
The couple had been together since 2020 and announced their engagement in 2023. Their reported split marks the end of a five-year relationship that had been part of the public conversation as both pursued careers in sports, entertainment and business.