Steve Granitz/WireImage/Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for VarietyIs Julianne Hough a celebrity matchmaker? It would seem so, given that her brother, Derek Hough, happens to be romancing her BFF, Nina Dobrev. Despite previous dating denials, sources confirm to E! News that the Dancing With the Stars pro and The Vampire Diaries actress are indeed an item.
Though one insider says they didn't begin seeing each other until August, another source says their relationship is already "somewhat serious."
Dobrev is quite proud of her boyfriend, as he won his first Emmy on Sunday, Sept. 22.
Posting an Instagram picture of her man holding his statue via Instagram, she gushed, "@Derekhough !!!!!!!! #EMMYWINNER I cant express in 140 characters how unbelievably excited+incredibly proud I am of you. You deserve this."
In a second picture featuring both Houghs, Dobrev told the siblings, "I wish I wasnt filming so I could have been there to celebrate w/u guys!"
She continued to praise her new boo in a third Instagram caption, writing, "@derekhough Those of us touched by your light got to watch you brighten up the rest of the world. Keep shining!"
Derek's simple and sweet Twitter response? "Your the best babe."
Since mid-September, Dobrev—who split with her Vampire Diaries costar Ian Somerhalder earlier this spring—has encouraged her Instagram and Twitter followers to vote for Hough and his celebrity partner, Amber Riley, on ABC's Dancing With the Stars.
Derek's rep declined to comment. Dobrev's rep could not be immediately reached.
Us Weekly was first to report the coupling.