Nina Dobrev on Ian Somerhalder's Wedding to Nikki Reed

The timing of Nina Dobrev's decision to leave "The Vampire Diaries" has caused fans to speculate on whether it had anything to do with her split from her onscreen love interest, Ian Somerhalder, and the latter's subsequent engagement and wedding to actress Nikki Reed.

The 26-year-old Dobrev, who will end her stint in the series this month after six seasons, revealed that her decision had nothing to do with Somerhalder.

"I've said this before, that we didn't break up because anything bad happened or because there wasn't love or friendship," Dobrev told E! News's Maria Menounos in a recent interview. "I love him and the friendship is still strong, and I think he's great and I care about him. And that didn't change. Yes, we're professional, and that's fine. We were friends long before we dated, and we still are now."

Dobrev and Somerhalder did remain friends after they ended their more than three-year relationship two years ago. Back then, she was always tight-lipped about Somerhalder's relationship, and ensuing engagement to Reed.

Dobrev also commented on Somerhalder's recent marriage to Reed. "When I heard about the wedding, I thought it was beautiful. They look happy and I am happy, and so I don't see why there should be a problem with that. The drama is in the media, it's not with us," she said.

"But of course, we're on a teen drama show, everyone's going to look for drama. If there's no drama, there's nothing to write about. I just ignore it."

Dobrev told Self magazine, where she graces the cover this month, that her decision to leave the show was all about looking to the future and embracing life after "Vampire Diaries." "I'm ready to put up that fight again. I'm excited to put up that fights," she said.