Shaun White, an American former professional snowboarder and skateboarder, cheated on his first girlfriend, Sarah Barthel, with Bad Things drummer Lena Zawaideh.
After ending his relationship with Sarah in 2019, he was in a relationship with actress Nina Dobrev in 2020. However, they separated in September 2025.
White dominated, redefined, and ultimately elevated snowboarding and skateboarding to a global stage with his fiery red hair and even more explosive talent.
His journey to becoming a legend began early, and skateboarding icon Tony Hawk mentored him at the age of nine. Tony’s guidance fueled a unique versatility that became White’s trademark.
White showed signs of his immense ambition and skill, and turned pro in skateboarding by the age of 16. However, it was on the snow that he truly became a household name.
He has won three Olympic gold medals in the halfpipe in Torino 2006, Vancouver 2010, and PyeongChang 2018. Moreover, he is a five-time Olympian who holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals won by a snowboarder.
White’s impact extends far beyond his medal count. He was a pivotal force in transforming snowboarding from a counterculture activity into a must-watch Olympic spectacle.
He pushed the limits, inventing new tricks and constantly raising the bar for the sport.
Shaun White’s Split from Musician Sarah Barthel
Recent online news about Shaun White’s breakup with Nina Dobrev reignited interest in the 2019 breakup between Olympic snowboarder and musician Sarah Barthel of the indie rock band Phantogram.
The exact reason for their split was always kept private, but rumors suggest White may have cheated on Barthel, leading many fans to declare she was too cool for him anyway.
Shaun White Hits the Beach with Hot Rocker GF Sarah Barthel https://t.co/lQHCGadyu3 pic.twitter.com/KE4HWVEQDK
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Beyond her work with Phantogram, Sarah Barthel is a respected multi-instrumentalist.
She has contributed music to major films and TV shows like Pitch Perfect, The Flight Attendant, and No Hard Feelings.
The couple met backstage at Saturday Night Live in 2013 and dated for six years.
Barthel was a visible and supportive presence, often attending White’s competitions throughout their relationship.
She notably stood by him during a complex 2016 lawsuit where a Bad Things drummer, Lena Zawaideh, accused him of sexual harassment, which was later settled out of court.
Her talent and loyalty during tough times have only solidified the opinion that she was the one who deserved better.
Despite her steadfast support, the pair went their separate ways in 2019. White moved on quickly, confirming a new relationship with actress Nina Dobrev in 2020.
Shaun White’s Split and Nina Dobrev’s Split Weren’t Because of Cheating
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White have ended their engagement, but contrary to swirling rumors, their separation was not due to infidelity.
The couple, who began dating in 2020 and got engaged in October 2024, went their separate ways in September 2025.
A source close to the pair confirmed that there was no cheating at all during their five-and-a-half-year relationship and stated that both were fully committed until the end.
Their separation was a mutual decision and wasn’t an easy one, but it was made with love and deep respect for one another.
Dobrev, known for her role in The Vampire Diaries, and White, the legendary Olympic snowboarder, were a public favorite.
They shared their journey with fans, often posting photos of their travels and life together on social media after going public in May 2020.
Just months before the breakup, Dobrev had even expressed that they were on a secure path to marriage.
Their split is sad, a case of a couple growing apart, closing a chapter on a long and loving relationship that ended without scandal.
Previously, White has been rumored to have dated several celebrities, including Lindsay Lohan, Summer Spiro, Elisha Cuthbert, Arielle Vandenberg, and Bar Refaeli.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Shaun Roger White, the youngest of four children of Cathy and Roger, was born on September 3, 1986, in San Diego, California.
- His father grew up surfing and worked for the water department in San Clemente, whereas his mother was a waitress.
- He was born with a tetralogy of Fallot, which required two open-heart operations before the age of one.
- His net worth is estimated to be $65 million, and he earns approximately $10 million annually.
