Shaun White appeared upbeat and reflective in his first television interview since reports surfaced that he and actress Nina Dobrev ended their engagement.
On NBC’s Today show, the retired snowboarder said he plans to attend the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina as a spectator and supporter. “I’ll be running around, definitely supporting my friends competing and just taking it in,” White told hosts, adding that the 2026 Games will be “my first Winter Olympics where I’m not competing, so a lot of feelings there.” He noted that his first Olympics took place in Italy and joked he “might have to bring the hair back.”
Reports that White, 39, and Dobrev, 36, had split and called off their engagement emerged earlier this month. Fans first speculated about trouble in the relationship after Dobrev was photographed without her engagement ring at the Toronto International Film Festival. A source told People the decision to separate was mutual and "wasn't an easy one," and added the split "was made with love and a deep respect for one another."
Other reporting attributed the breakup to differing priorities. A Daily Mail report cited an anonymous source saying White, who retired after the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, wanted to start a family, while Dobrev was focused on her acting career and professional opportunities. That account said White had been preparing for entrepreneurship after his snowboarding career and was ready for marriage and children, while Dobrev was ‘‘very interested in seeing where her acting career was going to go.’’
White has largely kept a low public profile since retiring from competition, but his Today appearance revisited his Olympic past. He won Olympic gold in the halfpipe at the 2006 Turin Games and later became one of snowboarding’s most prominent figures. He said attending Milan-Cortina will be emotionally significant because Italy was the site of his first Games.
The couple had been together for about five years. Representatives for White and Dobrev did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reports.
In the interview White struck a conciliatory tone about his future role in the sport and his personal life. He emphasized enjoyment of the forthcoming Games and support for friends who will compete, while avoiding further discussion of his private relationships.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, White’s public remarks focused on the event and his place in the sport’s community rather than on his recent breakup. Media outlets that reported details of the split cited unnamed sources; the parties involved have described the decision as mutual and respectful.