Call Her Daddy - Paul Wesley: Stefan, Stefussy & The Salvatore Brotherhood

Episode Date: July 22, 2026

Join Alex in the studio for an interview with Paul Wesley. Paul and Alex unpack everything from Mystic Falls to the Jersey Shore. They get into his life before Hollywood, the The Vampire Diaries era, his real-life bromance with Ian Somerhalder, how he accidentally became an internet icon, and, of course... Stefussy. Enjoy! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What is up, Daddy Gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper, with Call Her Daddy. Paul Wesley, welcome to Call Her Daddy. Thank you so much for having me. Okay. Actor, advocate, director, bourbon connoisseur, father of Greg, best friend of Ian Summerholder. I mean, it is such an honor and a pleasure to be sitting down with you today, Paul. Oh, you're so sweet. Thank you. Obviously, you were on one of the most iconic shows of all. time in my opinion, the Vampire Diaries. And I've always been obsessed. I remember when I started

watching it. I've rewatched it. I've told you and Nina that I am a fan. Multiple times. You're like, Alex, we get it. And so it feels really full circle because now you me and Nina are going to be doing a television show together, which is very exciting. How awesome. You deserve to know. The fact that you and Nina are going to be back on screen together. It feels like we're healing something within the world. How long has it been since you guys have worked together? Oh my goodness. Well, I mean, gosh, let's see if my math skills are any good. So I guess the show ended in 2017. Nina left two years prior to that, but she came back for the finale. So I guess theoretically 2017, we're in 26. It's been nine years since we've actually been on. So it's almost a decade.

By the time our show comes out, it will literally have been a decade. By the time we're filming and by the time it comes out maybe, yeah, a decade over a decade. Okay, I don't like that because that makes me feel old, but also I like it because everyone rewatches vampire diaries every five seconds. So what feels nice is it feels like we haven't missed you guys too much. It's such a strange thing, isn't it? It's the weirdest thing because like, I, you know, once a show goes off the air, typically you're like, okay, like, it fizzles out and like, you know, whatever. And it's so funny because there are, you know, Ian and I will do like, you know, conventions, right? And, And I'll have someone show up with their teenage daughter and they'll show up and make me feel

old. I grew up watching you and now my daughter's watching you. And it's like the weirdest, like, it's this generational thing because of streaming, you know, and it never ends. It's like a vampire. It's eternal. Paul. It's like we're still in Mystic Falls.

We're still in Mystic Falls. We're in Mystic. We never left. I've never left. I feel like it'll never leave me. Oh, I love that so much. Also, I was thinking about it. You leave the show, obviously, and your life did eventually move on.

But like, did you and Nina know that you wanted to work together immediately after the show? Or did it take a little second to get the itch? To be like, should we do something? Look, so it's like it's very public that Nina and I had this very fun kind of back and forth relationship in the sense that what I mean by that is in the beginning we didn't get along. And that's highly, you know, you publicize. That's something she's spoken about. I've spoken about it. It's not like it's breaking news. And now we're like, we're such good friends.

And I absolutely adore her. And it's one of these things that like, it's not like the show ended. And we're like, let's do something together. It's just sort of like we would see each other. We'd stay in touch. And then enough time went on where I was like, you know, I don't know whose idea it was. But we kept saying, we should do something, you know. And let's make it special. Like, let's really make it great. And so we, you know, we were trying to find something for years. And then we, we were trying to find something for years. And then we would not talk about it for two years. And then another, we, oh, we should do this. And then until finally, you deserve to know him about.

And we're like, I think, yeah, this is it. Let's do this. Is Ian jealous? Do we need to write him in? We need to, maybe we need to, like, call a friend and ask him if he's jealous right now. Ian, do you want us to write you in? There's still time. He's like, he'll pretend, no, but deep down inside, you know he wants to be written in.

Also, I love, didn't you guys, you and Nina were, didn't you do courtside together at one of the Knicks games. Yes. Yes. Just seeing it, I think the Vampire Diaries, every time you guys give any of those fans a little something, we get excited. Because, you know, Nina just moved to New York City full time. And I'm in New York. I grew up in Jersey, but I consider myself a New Yorker because that's like a lot cooler. I always say New York and then people like, really where? And I'm like, Jersey. They're like, ah. But no, but I, you know, I'm actually, I've been going to Knicks games for years and I'm friends with Jalen Brunson. He's a good buddy of mine. And I called Nina. I said, you know, you got to go to a Knicks game with me.

And I know they would love to have you. And Jalen, I'm going to call him out. I don't care. He's my homie. I love him. He's a huge vampire d'Irish fan. Him and his wife are huge vampire d'Irish fans. And so I was like, I got to bring Nina to a Knicks game because Jalen is going to love this.

Oh, not him being a vampire. Like everyone's like a huge thing of his and he's like, Elena. So I texted him right before the game. I was like, hey, just so you know I'm bringing Elena to the game. and he's like, no way. And it's so funny because that game was like a blowout. They blew away. I forget who they were playing, but I think they won by like 50 points, which is like

unheard of. And I was like, Jalen's doing this for Elena, isn't he? I know he is. That's actually amazing to know. Yeah. Okay. In the new show that we're doing, Nina's husband is murdered. Yes.

And you are the top suspect. I am. That is giving very different vibes from Stellana. It is. Very different. It is. What are you most? excited about with this new dynamic. Like, you're not in a romantic relationship. You're more

friends on a show. Yeah. I mean, you know, you were there when we were developing it, obviously. Yeah. Yeah. Producing it. But, you know, I mean, obviously, Aaron Kaplan, one of the EPs, he said, do you guys want to play, you know, romantic partners? And Nina and I talked about it. And we kind of like, we feel like there's some, like, there's just like this whole, like, the Stefan and Elena thing is so iconic and so perfect. And in a weird way, we don't want to like, like, not ruin it, but like have a comparison. You know, we don't want to, like, if we were playing husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend, like people would compare that to Stefan and Elena.

So we wanted to create a new dynamic so that we offered something new to the fans where we're still interacting on screen, but it's in a different capacity. I know. And I really respected that because just for everyone watching, trust me, we sat there and we're like, so you're sure that you don't want to be married. And you guys are like, Alex, but I really respect that you guys have so much respect for the craft of like what you built on Vampire Diaries. And I do agree with you in a way that like it would almost be hard to see you two in a couple and not be like Stefan and Elena. Oh, wait, no, this is a different show. So I think we did it right.

I think so as well. But don't worry, everyone I asked. Since the show is called, you deserve to know, I'm going to ask you, okay? Some stories that we deserve to know Paul. Yes, the public deserves it. Yes, we deserve it. And you are going to tell us these stories. Please, please. Here we go.

Tell us about your first kiss. Okay. So, uh-huh. My first, like, kiss was kind of like, I remember I was in the, I used to live in this, like, community in New Jersey where it was like townhouses, but there would be, like, a public swimming pool. And I was in the public swimming pool. And this girl, I don't even know she was, she dared me to kiss her underwater.

And I was like, let's do this. I had my goggles on. I don't know. Maybe I was like 10 or something. And I went down there and we kissed underwater. And I still remember her like freckled face kissing me underwater. And none of our parents knew about it. It was really sweet.

Not your first kiss being underwater. It was underwater. Paul. With goggles. And maybe even floaty. I may have taken off my floaties. Yeah. Otherwise.

That's so romantic. Yeah. It was romantic. And then eventually. you did it on land. Eventually, I remember my first on land as well, which was like my first girlfriend ever

named Carolina shout out. And I remember my, somebody dared us to French kiss, right? That's a bigger deal. Oh, that's huge. Whoa, big deal. Oh my God. And I was like, French kiss behind the,

you know, after the school bus drives you off. And I was like, okay, I can do this. And I just remember like, you know, you would think I would be like very excited. I was just like, I cannot believe. like this. How do people like exchanging saliva? I was still too young to like fully appreciate it. And poor Carolina, because I did not. I wasn't like, I wasn't hyped about it. You're just like putting tongue out and closing your eyes and hoping for dear life to get through it. I was like,

let's get through it. Okay, cute. What is a time when you completely misread the vibe, but still shot your shot? Like with a girl? Yeah. Oh, man. Twice. Yeah. I mean, it was twice. twice that I could think of ever. I remember like the most simplistic one is like I remember being on a date with someone who would go unnamed because she's actually an actress. And this was like obviously way back in the day.

I was very single pre-vampir diaries. And I just remember like I thought the date went really well. And I was like, I'm just going to like I'm going to go in for a kiss. Like a good night, you know, like a good night kiss. And and I just remember she just

like I went in for the kiss and she was just like no it was like yeah like the turn and then I had to pretend that it wasn't a kiss and then it was like just a hug and I was like it was the most awkward it was so awkward I haven't seen her since thank God no literally since that moment

never saw her again thank you did you reach out after or you didn't know you both didn't reach out no it was like the worst oh my God it was the most embarrassing thing ever yeah Paul yeah I was like traumatized that and then I remember one time I was in New York

I just remember I was on like a fire escape in York City and I was having this conversation with this girl. I was like at a party. I think and I was just like and I never do this again, Paul. And it's like there's any guys listening. Don't do this. I was just like I looked and I was like, can I kiss you? And she just goes, no. And I was like, oh, okay. Those are like the two times I can think of. What do you do though to recover from that? Did you stay on the fire escape? Are we like? I don't recall. It was so long ago, but I remember being like, what a dumbass. I cannot believe I just asked her when she clearly has no interest in me. That's actually completely amazing. Okay. What is a night out that you can remember that gave you the worst Sunday scleries?

Oh, God. I've had so many of those. You mean like, is that what you mean by that is like, you made some bad decisions a night before you woke up really bad hangover. like, oh, what did I do? Like, Paul, what did we do last night? I mean, I was a bit of a troublemaker when I was a kid. And my friends and I got fake IDs like, you know, at the age of 15. And we would, you know, these horrible fake IDs, but somehow they worked in New York City. And we would take the, we would take the train up to the city at like 15, 16 and go to these clubs and stay out till like seven, eight in the morning. And like, that was like, oh, it's the worst. I can't even imagine doing that at this point. Kids living near New York City when they're younger in New York City. You're like, you lived a different life. Yeah. What do you mean you're at a

club at 15? No, it was crazy. And I just remember like sneaking out of my house and like, you know, doing the traditional like stuffing my bed with something that looked like a human. And then like losing track of time. And then like my phone, of course, like, I didn't even have a phone. I don't even if this was like pre-cell phone. And I was had like a beeper. And I just remember like seven in the morning would hit on a Sunday. And I would get like a beep. The beeper would go off.

My mom would be like 911 911. 911 call me right now, Paul. And I'd be like, oh my God. How am I going to explain this? Oh, wow. But also like 15 year old boy being in the club. Oh, my God. Like not having much success, I would assume.

None. None. None. About as much success as I had on the fire escape. You're not. You're not buying bottles. No, I'm not doing anything. I'm standing in the corner doing God knows what.

You're lucky to like get in. The bouncers like get out of here. Oh, 100%. And they all knew it was a fake idea, but they're somehow letting you in. It was like New York in that time was like a totally different. That's fair. Okay, a time when you did something petty to get back at someone. Oh, gosh.

I mean, I'm not, I would not consider myself a petty person. However. However. You know, like in high school, I went to three different high schools. I wasn't like a cool kid at all. And even in middle school. And it was like, you know, there was definitely like times where I was like, you know, the town bully or like the cool kids who were older that didn't want to invite you to the parties or like, you know, kind of making you feel like, you know, you're not part of the in crowd and all that. And I remember, you know, there's the, the, the, the, I got on this big TV show.

I was 26 and all of a sudden out of the woodworks come all these guys that wanted nothing to do with me in high school that like all, you know, the girls that wouldn't give me the time of day. And all of a sudden, they're like, hey, man, like, oh my gosh, my girlfriend, you know, my girlfriend and my sister or whatever, like, let's hang out or hey, you know, can you can I can I can you call my sister or something just. to say hi. And I would just be like, you know what? Like as petty as this is, no. Like, like, no. You know what I mean? It just felt like now you want to be friends. You know what I mean? I appreciate though when people do that because you're like, I remember. And I don't think that's fully being petty. That's you being like, oh, I clocked exactly what's happening right now. You don't get me now that I'm all good. Yeah. And I, you know, in my philosophy these days is always like kill him with kindness. Like I'm always the kind of guy who's like if to always just be nice to

like kind of like that's my technique. Like I don't I don't want to be petty. But I do remember when I was in my mid 20s and the show came out. I was like, you know what? I'm going to be petty. I'm going to be a little bit pet. I'm going to, you know what I think we're all backing you on that one. What is something you did unexpectedly that went viral on the internet? I mean, I can think of one very big thing that became viral on TikTok, which was when a fan asked me if I liked Madison beer. And I thought it was, I thought that was a type of beer. And I said I've never had that kind of beer before. And I was like, I don't, I've never had Madison beer. So that was, that was special. And then as it like kind of spiraled and then like, how did you handle that moment?

I mean, at that point, I was like, do I then apologize to Madison Fear? Do I need to like make a public apology? Because she obviously is very famous. She's a, you know, but I'm just like an idiot. I don't know. And you know, like you're in your own world. Paul. I don't know what's going. And so I was like, you know, it was very funny because it became this whole thing. Like I remember, I forget there was some publication that like they, you know, frankly, it was during COVID too. It was less less stuff going on. But it was like top. 50 pop culture moments of 20, whatever, 2019, whatever the heck it was. And I remember it was like, Paul Wesley thinks Madison Beer is a beer. And I was like, that makes the top 50. Do you get anxiety when something like that you did is trending or do you not care? I think it's funny. I don't care. You don't care. Yeah.

You don't care. Yeah. When I was preparing for this interview, I discovered something new about you. Oh, no. I didn't know that your name isn't Paul Wesley. Right. I'm going to try to pronounce it. I can't wait.

Okay, hold on. Your first name is Pavay. Almost. Okay. And your last name is Vasilevsky. Whoa. Oh. Do you have some like Eastern European descendant?

No, I actually put the pronunciation down for myself, Vasilevsky. That's perfect. So what, okay, wait, you say it. Say your full name. Pavo Vasilevsky. Pavel. Pavel. Pavo.

Pavo. O. Oh. Oh. Oh. Wait, wait, that sounds. Philly, hold on, let me try that in.

Say it again? Pavo. Pavo. Vashelowski. Amazing. Oh. Look at you. Okay.

What, how? Do you want to play an Eastern European on you deserve to know? Like, do you want to play a Polish like murder suspect? Like, because I think you could do this. Honestly, maybe. Yeah. How did we get here? How did you get from that to Paul Wesley?

So my, my mom, so my parents were both from Warsaw and they immigrated to this country. My older sister was born there from Warsaw, Poland. and I was the first of the family to be born in the United States. And growing up, we didn't speak any English. Or, sorry, my parents didn't speak English well. And we spoke Polish at home primarily. So my mom always called me Pavel and Vasilevsky is my name. But in school, it was Paul Wazelouski because that's how the Americans would pronounce it,

which, you know, phonetically, I guess that's like, or whatever, if you read it, that's. So it was like my whole life, it was Paul Wazeluski. And I'm like, it's really like, Wazelouski doesn't like speak to me. Do you know what I mean? Like that's not who I am. So I try to like correct people and be like, no, it's Vashilevsky. And I'd be like, no, no, no.

And I started acting. And then I got my first few TV shows. And it was like always this huge drama to pronounce my name. And I just said, you know what? If they're going to call me Paul Wazelouski, I might as well just change it. You know what I mean? So I didn't change it legally. I remember thinking I wanted to, I want my last name is.

start with a W, and I wanted to end with an E sound. Because, like, my real name, Wazelouski, Vasilevsky. So I was started, like, I just literally started writing down random, like, last names that could work. And I somehow stumbled upon Wesley. And I was like, I like the ring of, I like the sound of that. And I just came up with it. It was as simple as that.

It's, like, totally arbitrary. Wait, what did your parents think about you changing your name? Like, I remember asking my grandfather, who's that, who, that, who, that, what? who on my mom's side. So technically that's not wasn't his name. But I remember being like, he's like, go for it. Absolutely. Change it. Like, duh. Of course you just change it. My dad was a little bit like, I'm not so sure. But then they kind of like came around to it. And I didn't change it legally. Yeah. Legally, I'm still. Yeah. Oh. Fashelowski. Yeah. Okay. So your parents can be really happy about that. Exactly. Okay. That's good. Just my stage name.

From New Jersey. Yes. Not New York. Good to clarify. your parents immigrating from Poland. Can you paint the picture of what your house was like growing up? Put us right in there, Paul. What are we experiencing in this home? I had a great childhood. My parents are, they're wonderful. And what's great is I grew up in the proximity 45 minutes south of Manhattan.

And so it was always like Manhattan was this kind of like, oh my gosh, this is like the place. Like you always like I was so enamored. Like I really wanted to end up somehow in Manhattan. And I remember I was playing ice hockey my whole life. And my parents were, they're pretty smart people. Like my dad went to Columbia. He's a computer engineer. My mom has a master's in psychology.

My sister's a lawyer. They're all pretty like highly educated. And so I just never fit into that mold. I always wanted to do something different. And I started doing theater and all this. And my parents were so great because they put me in acting classes. And they were like, you know, they wanted me to like just be happy. And so I started doing these acting classes in Manhattan and somehow an agent saw me and was

like, hey, do you want to audition for stuff? And I was like, sure. And that's how I ended up in Manhattan. I got a TV show at 16. I started making my own money and I got my own apartment in the city. But so they, I guess in answering your question, like I credit them with giving me the kind of like flexibility and like allowing me to. to pursue my dreams and being really like,

they wanted me to be happy. They weren't like, you have to go to, you know, they wanted me to get good grades, but they weren't, they were like, more important is for you to be passionate about what you do. And so I feel like I was able to do what I love to do and to have this career in film and television because they were supportive.

Well, that's incredible because I feel like so many people don't have that experience. So it feels like you have to rebel, but to have actually supportive parents, it must have felt so safe for you to explore your passions. Absolutely. Being close to New York, though.

Obviously, there's so many different cultures that come in and out of New York in a beautiful way. But, like, you were in New Jersey. Yeah. So was, and close Jersey Shore, right? Yeah, it's 20 minutes. You're like, please. Come on. Come on now.

Calm down, Alex. But if I showed you some photos of me, you'd be like, for sure, that guy could have been on the Jersey Shore. Yeah. You remember the Jersey Shore, obviously, right? Paul. Yeah. Oh, my God. So I, so, so I've never seen the Jersey Shore.

Shore. But it's a funny story to tell you. So I, so I used to do the whole Jersey Shore thing. I had a house in Belmar and my friends and I used to like lift weights and, you know, like, it was like, you know, Jim Tan Laundry and all the kind of like literally wax our eyebrows and like, you know, walk around like this in our tank tops. Anyway, it was like so pathetic. And I remember like I was in my 20s and I was doing like something for the Vampire Diaries and somehow they were like, oh, the cast of the Jersey Shore is here. And I was like, oh, cool. I don't know. I've never seen it. And the guy who plays the situation. I love who you say the guy who plays the situation. Is he the situation? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Mike the situation. Yeah, yeah. Okay. So that guy comes up to me.

He's like, hey, Paul. And I was like, hey. And he's like, we used to hang out in the Jersey Shore. And I was like, we did? And he's like, yeah. And I asked a few friends, like, yeah, he used to hang out with us. We used to like go out with the Jersey Shore. I didn't. even know. I was part of the Jersey shore, you know, fist bumping. You had the situation right under your fingertips. Yeah. And you didn't even know. I had no idea. You may have been out with Snooky and you didn't even know. For all I know, I could have been out. Yeah. Paul, why do I feel like that's your life? Where you're like, I didn't know Madison beer wasn't a beer. I didn't know I was friends with the situation. I didn't know any of

this. Like life just keeps happening. And Paul's like, what? Oblivious. Dude, that's crazy. Yeah. Okay. So did you ever get a spray tan? Of course I got a spray tan. You were gin tan laundering, actually. I did, I did a spray tan when I was, my friends, I'm telling you, I mean, it's like I shouldn't be admitting this. But like, I'm telling you when I was like 17 and we used to like literally like it was all about like how big our muscles are. I was like 40 pounds heavier. It was all about muscles and being tan and then like making sure you have no chest hair and like walking around the Jersey Shore like this and like honestly fighting. We would get into like fist, fights all the time. And like, oh my God, it was like, you have no idea. When you were saying that you were getting jacked and you were doing all that, you know what it made me think of? What? Donnie. Donnie from the OC. Paul? Donnie from the OC. One of my favorite shows. Were you on one episode? I was only on one episode. Okay. You made such an impression to remember that you were on the OC and to only be in one episode, that's pretty incredible. You'd be surprised how many people,

people come up to me and go, Donnie. It is the craziest thing, like just one episode. And I remember because I read for the main guy, Ryan, who's Ben McKenzie is a good friend of mine. I adore him. By the way, so is Adam Brody. And I just met them on, on when I was doing Donnie, when I was playing Donnie. But anyway, when I was doing Donnie. No. And I, no, I remember I read for Ryan. and I didn't get it. I was very devastated. And they called me like, how about Donnie? You're more of a Donnie. And I was like, sure, I'll play Donnie. And then I just played myself, basically. Oh, it came so, because that was like, you were in Chino with Ryan or something and you guys like, or like, whatever. You, you were there. You were like the scary guy. Oh, yeah. I shot somebody. I shot the blonde guy. I was

like, yeah, bitch. You shot Luke. I shot Luke. Thank you. Fully shot Luke. I shot Luke. I shot Luke. You came into the party. You had the gun. I had a gun. Oh my God. Cut the clip with good old Paul. Roll the clip with Donnie. Bring it back. I remember I think you would like a thick arm band. Oh, yeah, armbands and oh my God. Oh, you were so Donnie. I was so Jersey. I was so easy to play. It felt organic. A hundred percent. Didn't have to study for that role at all. So you eventually get into acting. Right. And in the early days, you end up living with your childhood friend. Ricky and his Pomeranian in a studio apartment in the West Village. In the West Village.

Did you have two beds? We had two beds. Oh, that's, yeah. The Pomeranian and him on one, me and the other, two twins, you know. Oh, two twins? Two twins. We're right there next to each other. Yeah.

Oh, like a little nightstand in between. And by the way, this is like, yeah, exactly, literally. And this is back when like we were like wearing tank tops and like, you know, and and, you know. Still feeling yourself. Oh, yeah, still feeling ourselves. So everyone was like, welcome to the. neighborhood. And West Village. And West Village. What were you three getting up to around that time?

God, no. By the way, I love that you said you three, including the Pomeranian. Yeah, like the Pomeranian was clubbing with us. No, it was like I was on a soap opera with Britney Snow. Oh, love her. Yeah, who's, I think she did the show. Yes, yes, love her so much. She's one of my dear friends. I adore her. She's the best. So Britney and I played boyfriend and girlfriend on a show called The Guiding Light. I was like 16 years old making a bunch of cash. I was like, Ricky, I'm going to get an apartment in the West Village. And he's like, great. Is that how you would talk? Yeah, yeah, pretty much. Something like that. There was a little accent in there. It was given a little New York. It was given a little like sopranos. Yeah, yeah. No, I used to have a thick jersey accent.

But anyway, and then I was just like, let's just like get the, and it was just like the best time of my life, you know, it was like fake IDs and just partying and, you know, doing the soap opera. And like, frankly, like, that's where I like kind of learned how to, you know, I remember when I first got on the soap opera, I was so uncomfortable. And like the soap opera taught me how to like work with the camera and like, you know, be more relaxed. And like, it was an amazing training ground. And so many great actors came from from that. But like Brittany, Britney, Britney's amazing. Want to hear something funny? I'm going to call out Britney. She said this story. So it doesn't really matter. It's really funny. Britney's, I wonder Brittany, she said this story. So it's fine.

So I, we were on set and like, you know, I'm like 16, 17. So like, you know, whatever. I had like, you know, done a bunch. I had kissed. I had a girlfriend. I had kissed women, girls before. And Brittany and I had our first kiss scene. And I was like, cool, no big deal.

Like, whatever, because we were playing boyfriend girlfriend. And Brittany was younger than I was. And we did the kiss scene. And I'm like, okay, like, that was fine. Like, that went well. And I remember afterwards her mom comes up and he goes, just so you know, that was her first kiss ever. And I was like, what?

I didn't know that. And like, to this day. Yeah, it's so sweet. Like, to this day, like, Britney's first kiss is the kiss on camera with me. It was really sweet. Oh, you're a good guy. I feel like that you probably made it just like so sweet and like chill for her. Yeah.

Yeah. Wait, that's cute. It was really sweet. Now we're really good friends. Yeah, it was really funny. And see just how both like successful you've been in your own right and just think about you like little youngens. Yeah.

And like imagining Brittany also being. probably so nervous. Oh my God, I can imagine. Yeah. Oh my God. It's actually probably good that you didn't know until after. Yeah, exactly. That's really sweet. Yeah. Okay. So what would you and Ricky do, though? If you both, if you had like a girl that you wanted to bring back and we've got the twin bets, Paul, like what are we doing? Oh my gosh. Like what happened? What did happen? You're like Ricky? Yeah. Um, no, it was um, Let me get back D on that one. I don't remember.

I plead the fifth. No, I don't know. I think we probably. You figured it out. Ricky, you know, go take a walk. Get out of here. You can leave the Pomeranian. Yeah, leave the Pomeranian.

You doesn't care. Okay, fair. So you and Ricky had your stint. You did your thing. Yeah. Then there's been another bromance in your life. Uh-huh. With none other than your Vampire Diaries co-star.

Smolder holder. Ian Summerholder. The Smolder. Is that what we call him? I call him the smolder. holder holder. Like when you call him every day or is that what you're saying? Just smoldy. I call him smoldy pants. Smoldy? For years I called him smoldy pants. Does he like that? I think deep down inside he likes it. What does he call you? Um, fuckface probably. Yeah. My lathe curse. No, I mean, we're,

we're so funny. We call each other like, Ian and I are like, we're like in this like domestic partner. No, not a domestic party. We don't live together. It's like this like we're in like a marriage. you know it's like we started off as like colleagues working together then we're like best friends then we're like okay we see each other every day for eight years I love you but also like then we're like brothers then now we have this business together it's like we are so it is like such a complex it's like my longest relationship I've ever had in my life we've been I feel like we've been together for 20 years and we know I know what he's going to say before he's even going to say it and he knows what I'm going to say and we're yin and yang

Do you bicker like a married couple? Oh my God. We bicker. We hug it out. I mean, it is like, it is. How do Nikki and Natalie feel about it? Like when you guys are all together? They're like the calm energies and like we're the Tasmanian devils.

Like they're like, by the way, thank God for Nikki and Natalie. Like Natalie is like calms me down so much. And I feel like Nikki calms him down so much because him and I are a little. Natalie's energy when we got drinks, I was like, she is so good. She's so good. But she is so steady, calm, sophisticated, lovely. Oh my God. I'm so happy for you.

Thank you. But now knowing the two of you are like that, I'm like, ooh, even more now, that makes sense. Yeah. And like, yeah, Nikki, and Nicky as well is like much more. Like Ian is like, Ian is like moves a thousand miles a minute, you know? And like, have you met Ian? No. He's like, I mean, the guy will literally, he can talk to anyone for like two hours.

Like he will literally just corner you and talk to you. and lose track of time. Like, he is like this, he's the most personable person that you'll ever meet. Like, you would love him. Everyone just looks into his blue eyes and just like melts. It's like, it doesn't work on me anymore. I'm like, get the hell out of here. Yeah, but it worked initially.

Wow. Okay. Almost 20 years in this partnership, in this marriage. Yeah. Go back, think about what was your first, first impression of him? And like, when did you first meet him? I, my first, the first time I met him was in Burbank, California, after we both got cast on the show, we knew we'd be playing brothers.

And they're like, you need to go to this dental office because you need to get a fang fitting. We need to, you need to get your fangs fitted for the show because they have to mold them. So I remember I was like pulled up to this dentist and he's like leaving. And I'm like, hey, hey. And hey, like, I guess we're going to play brothers. He's like, yeah, yeah. He's like, I just got my fangs fit. I'm like, yeah, I'm going to get my fangs fitted as well.

I was like, I'll see you on the plane tomorrow. And then I remember we sat, we decided to sit next together, next to each other on the plane on the way to Vancouver because we shot pilot in Vancouver. And I'm sitting there. We're chatting. And this is a perfect example of how me and Ian are total polar opposites. I'm glass half empty. I think everything is doomed.

He's glass half full. And we're usually some of the truth is usually somewhere in the middle. This time he was right. I look at him and I go, so we're doing this pilot. He's like, yeah. I'm like, I don't know, man. I'm like, vampire diaries. I was like, you know, you think we're going to get picked up?

He's like, yeah, I think we're going to get picked up. I'm like, I don't know. You think it's going to be a hit? I don't think it's going to like be a thing. And he just looks at me and I still remember to this day. He just goes, oh contrary, monfrer, it's going to be a big deal. Mark my words. And I was like, oh, contrar.

Frere. I was like, who speaks like that? But anyway, he was right. He was right. He was right. He was dead on. Oh my God. That's actually kind of crazy though because knowing, because you guys ended up shooting all the time in Atlanta. Yes. But going for that pilot, I've obviously interviewed actors before that it is crazy to know like most of the time that first episode is not filmed where it's going to be filmed. Yeah. And you have no idea if you're going to get picked up. No idea. When was the moment do you think you were like, oh, I like, I think I really like this guy. Like, so first you're kind of like dipping your toe in the water. You're like, oh, contrary.

You're like, okay, this guy's like kind of kooky and I like him and he's uplifting. But when were you like, oh, we're friends? Well, so we, so the show got picked up. And then I was like, okay, I was like, well, and then I was like, I'm going to take this shit really seriously. Like this is a big deal. This is a huge because I had done like eight pilots and they all failed and like, I mean, some got picked up, but none of them lasted.

And I had this feeling after the show got picked up, I was like, and it tested. like, and it tested really well. They tell you about like whether it tests well with the audience. Like, they're like something special with this one. I was like, we have to do a good job. So I was like, Ian, we need to like, we're playing brothers. We need to like bond and we need to like really study together. He's like, you're right.

He's like, I have an idea. He's like, let's fly to Atlanta and let's get apartments next to each other so we can just live next to each other. And I was like, good idea. So I remember, and to this day, I remember, we literally get to the airport. And I pull up, I'm wearing these light blue jeans, a black leather belt, a white haines shirt, black raybans and cowboy boots, these like fry boots. And I look over at him and he's wearing the exact same thing.

We literally looked at each other and we're like, we looked like the Blues Brothers. We got off the plane and we were like decided to go apartment hunting and got apartments next to each other so that we can be. close to each other so that we can practice and study lines together. And it was just like the funniest thing pulling into Atlanta or in the exact same. Oh, we had the same color backpack as well. Paul. And I remember we stayed at like the W hotel for the first night. We walked in and everybody just looked at us like, who are these guys? It's really funny. He's basically your soulmate. Yeah. Since day one. So he was like my brother the minute we landed in Atlanta. Okay, but then I'm like, I can't help but be like, why do I feel like I can see Ian?

you living next to each other was a good idea at first. And then you're literally like coming home after a long day on set. Then you're going into your rooms. It's like knocking and you're like, Paul, come out and play. Yeah. Yeah. I was like, leave me alone. He's like knocking on the wall.

No, but it, you know, truthfully like, you know, jokes aside, like we really, like, we didn't mess around. Like the first two seasons, we were like, oh my God. And then like by the third season, we're like, we're good. Let's, this doesn't need to be fake bourbon on set anymore. Like, let's go ahead and maybe switch that out with some wood. reserved reserve and by the way yeah sorry Warner Brothers because you guys did drink so much you were just constantly by the way it's not like we were shit based on set but like you know

towards the end of the day you know you're like I'm I've drank enough of this like unsweetened iced tea which is supposed to be bourbon I think I can like you know and like the amount of scenes that like Ian had to do like dancing like in the mansion alone yeah give that man a little something give that man yeah get him some bourbon yeah Speaking of bourbon, look at that transition. Nice transition. You guys started Brothers Bon Bourbon, inspired kind of by these like vampire diary days that you had together.

Yes. How many drunk nights did you guys have trying to develop this and get it right? So, you know, so COVID hit, right? So we always talked about doing a bourbon. And I remember COVID hit. And it was like, I couldn't leave. Like I was sort of a nomad. I was shooting these TV shows.

I was like up until COVID. And then I was stuck. We were all stuck. We couldn't leave. And I remember being in, we lived in the same little community at the time in, we had houses in Topanga. And I remember Ian called me up one day. He's like, hey, man, we're not doing shit. We can't leave our houses.

We can't do anything. He's like, do you want to just come over and like blend some bourbon? And like, let's figure out how to blend some bourbon and like, let's launch a bourbon. And I was like, yeah, I'm going to. not doing anything else. So I just would go to his house and we would just like drink, create these blends for like in his kitchen. We'd go by the fire pit outside and we would just like try. I would come to his house and he would have all these like graduated measuring cylinders. He looked like a mad like, you know like in Back to the Future? What's his name? Doc. What was like a way? He kind of

looked like that. His hair was everybody was mad at his beard. He had a beard. He was like had all this bourbon. It was like a chemist. And I remember we would just. just like, we just like spent like months just like creating these blends that we liked. And then we finally found something we loved. And then like we sent it into this lab essentially to analyze the mash bill. And they were like, this is your mash bill. I was like, great. That's brothers bond. And then we like did a small friends and family around and raised a little bit of money and launch the bourbon. And boom. That's like so crazy to see. And it's such a great idea. Obviously, you guys have such a strong brand already in the two of you, but then to launch that,

that felt very organic for you guys to do it together. And we like genuinely like, and this is not like a plug. Like we genuinely love bourbon. And like that's all we drank in Atlanta. You know, when we would finish filming and be like, God, like we just shot 14, 14, 15, 16 hours. Let's go to the bar and we would always drink bourbon. That was like our thing. And so like the brother's bond, obviously it's like a nod to me and Ian on screen.

we have a bond as brothers, but also like off screen, that was like our brother's bond. You know what I mean? So it was very funny because when we started the company, we didn't have a name. And we were like pitching Walmart. And our CEO's like, we need a name. And they're like, we're calls in an hour. We can't just like pitch a brand that doesn't have a name. And Ian's like, okay, I got it.

I got it. I was like, okay, what is it? He's like, Brothers Supreme. And I was like, Brothers Supreme. I was like, too, that's the worst name for a bourbon brand ever. I was like, we are not Brothers Supreme. He's like, I think it should be Brothers Supreme. I was like, all right, give me a minute.

And I sat there. I was like, I started texting all these are. And I was like, Brothers Bond. I was like, Brothers Bond. He's like, great, done. And then like 15 minutes, 15 minutes before our pitch to Walmart, we had the name Brothers Bonn. Well, I also love it because it's so you and Ian, like, he basically came up with the first

word and then you're like, no, no, no, no. Yeah, adjust, adjust, adjust, adjust, adjust, adjust. Second word is this, boom, go. Okay. Okay. Stefan obviously had doppelgangers. But do you have any alter egos? when you're drinking. Paul?

I'm like, you know, I'm like a pretty good drinker. Do you know what I mean? Which is probably not a good thing. Are you like happy? Are you quiet? No,

I'm just like happy and like funny and like, you know, you know, sometimes I do these Q&As online. Oh, we're getting there. Okay. Like half the time I'm like drinking. Okay.

So like, you know, yeah. Well, that's how I know. Maybe more than half the time. No, I love it so much.

That's how I know. Like, that is some people's worst nightmare is like I don't want to do anything online unless I am what know exactly what I'm posting. You're like, oh, no, oh, I'm drinking. Oh, no, give me a drink. No, no, give me a drink. I'll tell you what I like, what I don't react well to is like some people are like, oh, I'm going to smoke a joint and then I'm relaxed. That's like my worst nightmare. If I smoke a joint, which I don't, I don't react well to marijuana, I will be the most awkward, insecure. Like, I'll have a total mental breakdown. Like, I'll have a panic attack.

But if you give me like a bourbon or whatever, I'm like chilling, man. I'm my real self. Okay. Let's talk about those Q&As. Yeah. You have really, you've really cornered the market. Unintentionally, for the record. This was not a master plan.

Paul. Another byproduct of COVID. Okay. A lot of good things came for you. I guess so. So you started posting this like close friends Q&A thing basically. And talk to me about the criteria for, you know, close friends. Okay.

So this is how it, this is the Genesis. Okay, so a girl that works with us named Remy, who's awesome, she does all the Brothers Bond, like she does our social media. She does a lot of our marketing. She does whatever. Long story short, Remy was like, hey, there's this app that allows you to have close friends that subscribe to your, like, because I didn't have a close friends like on my own Instagram and there. She's like, it allows your fans to be close friends. It's this app thing. I forget the

name of it. And I was like, she's like, should I sign you up? I'm like, sure. What the hell else am I doing? It's COVID. And so she's like, great, do whatever you want. I'm like, well, I'm not going to like, it's not only fans. I'm not going to like post shirtless selfies. But I'm like, so what can I do? What can I do to like make people feel? So I'm like, how can I interact with people? So I just started doing these random, like, ask me a question and like, let's just shoot the shit, you know? And that and then, suddenly this was I didn't realize that you could then take take those Q&As screen record them and then suddenly they ended up on TikTok and I by the way unbeknownst to me so suddenly I'm all over TikTok with these Q&As and that is how this whole thing happens it is like the through line of

this is Paul Wesley has no idea I have no idea what the fuck is going on this whole interview you're like By the way. And then somehow this thing called TikTok. I know. It sounds like it's this premeditated. I promise you. It's all just like. No, no, I believe you.

Yeah. You could tell. Yeah. Okay. So we're going to make the daddy gang feel like close friends of yours today. All right. Let's do it. We're going to do a little Q&A.

Okay. And you're going to get in the headspace of like your phone's in front of you. You had a little bourbon. Yeah. And you're just going to answer from the heart. Whatever comes to mind. Okay. What is something that really pissed you off lately?

What is something that really pissed me off lately? Oh my gosh. so many things piss me off all the time um well i haven't spoken to ean in a week so i've been pretty calm um zen more than yuz no i mean listen i love ian but he will drive me crazy because he is um he's too positive for he's too he's too glass half full and i need some negativity in my life so i would say like Ian. The answer is Ian. Why haven't you spoken to him in a week? I just, I don't, I've been busy.

Yeah. I got to call, should we call him? Please call him. We'll call him. Yeah, we'll call him. Yeah, just tell him to say hi. Okay. Come on, Ian. All right, let's see if he picks. By the way, he never picks up the phone. Let's just see, maybe. Do I even have him, I don't even have him in my favorites. That just goes to show you how I don't. No, I have him in my phone. Do you have him in as Ian Summerholder? Yeah. Oh my God. You're going to laugh. I have them. I make fun of Ian's fedora's his giant hats. I have a giant, uh, exaggerated fedora as his profile photo. He won't pick up. This is going to piss me out. If you ask me what pissed me up, this is what's going to piss me out. Like I'm in the

middle of a show. He never picks up. I feel like he would pick up. I think that's his personality. Ian, come on. Pick up the phone. I feel like you're the one that wouldn't pick up. I'm the one. I definitely your call has been forwarded to voicemail. Are you kidding me? This is what pisses me off. Ian. Oh, wow. Okay. So he doesn't answer your calls often. No, he does. He's just, you know what? Ian's a kind of guy that like he's like literally will like put his phone down and corner someone for like three hours. And then no one can get a hold of him. And we're all just like, yeah. He's in one of those calls. He's very focused on what he's doing, which is probably a good thing. He's not a multitasker. Got it. Good. Okay. What is something that gives your fiance, Natalie, the ick about you? Oh, I refuse to go to bed unless I have a humidifier and a sound machine. Oh, wow.

So I have to travel with a humidifier and sound machine. You're high maintenance. I like good sleep. It sleeps important to me. Sleeps important to me. Do the mouth tape? No mouth tape. Okay.

Eye cover. Eye cover. Ear plugs? Sometimes. Oh, you're strapped in. I'm strapped in. Natalie's like I'm not feeling turned on right now. She's like, she's like, I look over at you.

You have a mouth guard, a sleep mask, a white noise machine, and a humidifier blowing in our faces. She's like, Paul, can we just like, can you chill? Just tone it down. Can you just like relax? This is a good visual to have. Yeah, or not. You know, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, what is the craziest thing a fan has sent you?

I mean, I have a crazy story. I don't know if this is something that they've sent me, but one time I came home. I was living at the time in the Hollywood Hills, and I came home from a, this is kind of a weird, this is actually kind of creepy. I came home from something, and it was like the middle of the night. And I remember like at 11 p.m. I pull up and I'm in, I don't live in this house anymore, so it's okay. But I pull up to the driveway and all of a sudden I see like nine suitcases in my driveway.

Okay. And like, you know those like, it was the weirdest thing. You know, like back in the day when women would go to the hairstylist and they had those bowls? Yeah. What are they call them for like a perm? Like a perm bowl. Like a perm bowl. Yeah.

It was a perm bowl. In your driveway? In my driveway. I was like, why is there a perm bowl in my drive? I was like, what is going on? And there was a fan there. And she goes, hey. And I was like, can I help you?

And she's like, I, we've been emailing. You told me I can move in. By the way, I swear to God. And I was like, what are you talking about? She was emailing with someone who, thought she was pretending to me and said that she can move into my home and she brought the perm bowl. I was going to say, I don't know what's weirder that she was ready to move in. Not weird at all. The perm bowl was the thing that weird to me. The luggage, I was like,

whatever, it's fine. We could deal with this. The perm bowl. I was like, why does that have to come with the? I love also that we're talking in a perm bowl. Yeah. Or whatever. What is it? It's a dryer that is when you're getting a perm. Paul, so what did you do? I do. I do. I just I said, look, it's not me. I haven't been email. First of all, I was like, how do you know where I live? And she's like, what do you mean? Everyone knows. I was like, everyone knows. I was like, what are you talking about? So that was, yeah. Yeah, that's weird. That was weird. I also heard someone sent you a big box of sausages. Oh, yeah. Yeah, someone did send me a big box of salt. Thanks for reminding me. But yeah, no, I did, I did get sausages. And what did you take from that? I didn't eat the sausages.

Yeah, I don't know if it was innuendo, if it was just, maybe it's because I'm Polish. Yeah, we'll go with that. It will make you feel better if that was it. It was because of the kibasa. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe they were meant for Ian. They were so for Ian. They were like, they were like, get this to Ian.

I was like, no worries. I'll get that over to him. Love Island, have you watched? I've never seen Love Island. So do you not know what the clam slam? I didn't know what the hell you're talking about. That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard in my life. If you had to think about like, are you to clam slam?

What? I don't even know where to start. Okay. Okay. Walk me through this. This is your new Madison beer. Okay. So everyone in the world is talking about like the clam slam.

Clearly not everyone in the world. But you know nothing, Paul. Okay, true. It's the clam slam that was heard around the world basically. Okay. So there is this woman, Kenzie, and on Love Island. Yeah. She could just be mid-conversation with you.

and then she just drops to the ground and she does a split. I'm saying you're kind of laughing so hard. Bull! It's just a quick little one-two, boom to the ground. I just snorted. I mean, this is so out of left field. I know.

But I just didn't know maybe you, Jersey. I don't know, like, do you know what? Are you, what are you asking me? I guess I was wondering like, have I seen a clam slam in the Jersey short? What? Have you ever seen a clam slam in real life? Like, I have never, I didn't even know. I don't even know what I don't even know what to say. I met it for the first time of my life. I'm at a loss for words. I have not laughed this hard in the interview and still. Yeah. No. Okay. So you've never witnessed the clam slam. No. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. No, this is good. This is good because the Love Island fans are going to love that. We're moving on. Um, please. Kenzie's going to love that one. Okay.

Okay. Are you and Justin Bieber in any way related? I don't think so. I don't, not to my knowledge. You see people say you guys look like. Yeah. Not when I was younger. It is true.

Yeah. I've seen some photos of the fans have taken photos of the two of us and they put them and yes, no. Have you ever met him? I don't think so. Okay. We got to get that together. Yeah. Okay.

Someone who also looked like you. There was a Halloween costume. situation. Oh, yeah. And I'm going to have to find the pictures and put them up because when I was looking at them, it is so insane. It's unbelievable. Can you tell the story to everyone watching of like, what happened, Paul? Right. Well, I just, I don't even know how they came to my, like, how did I, how I learned about them, but effectively like, I just started getting word of these, that I was, people were like, hey, man, like, didn't know you were doing Halloween costumes now. And I was like, what? Like, what are you talking about? Like, yeah, yeah, my sister just saw you in the Halloween store.

And like, yeah, man, like you're hard on cash. Like, what's going on? I was like, what is how? So I was like, somebody find me these Halloween costumes. And then suddenly fans started sending them to me. People online were like, hey, Paul, I just saw you at this Halloween store and they would send me photos. And so I got wind of these Halloween costumes. that are so unbelievable because they're so awful, where they just literally took my face and they would put them on various, it's almost like a comedy.

They would put me in like various positions, like, you know, like Luigi, but then like the mustache was upside down. And then they'd be like, warrior, you know, Zen warrior master. And it was like me in a robe. And I called my lawyer and I'm like, what can I do about this?

Like there's Halloween costumes with my thing. I was like one, there was one with me with a sombrero. It was like unbelievable. And I was like, where did they come up with these ideas? Anyway, I had a few people bring them to me. Like, I actually have them, physically have them. So anyway, my lawyer found out the company that was making the Halloween costumes. And she was like, hey, cease and desist.

Like, what are you doing? Like, you cannot use my client's face. And they were like, we have no idea what you're talking about. They're like, this is not, this is someone that looks like Paul Wesley. This is not Paul Wesley. Like this is, and it's literally my face. And I'm like, what do we do? She's like, we don't know.

It's a company out of like the company's base in China. Like we don't know how to get. We don't know what to do. So to my knowledge, they're still producing these Halloween costumes. Oh, Paul Wesley's still out there. He's out there. And I'm just like, G.I. Joe. And there's always a new one.

There's like doctor. And then it's like, but then it's like my like my hands are huge. But then I have these like short legs. It's like the weirdest. It's like, they're like the worst Halloween costumes ever. And so you just keep seeing like every Halloween. There's like a new, I'm playing it. It's like, it's like cosplay.

Like I'm playing a new character. Oh my God. And so you have no compensation for this. No compensation. By the way, I should be getting tons of compensation. This sales are through the roof. Okay. That's really weird.

Yeah. Yeah. Can you, this is a really big question? Yeah. So I need you to lock in. Okay. Can you just. I'm still thrown off from the clams.

but I'm so recovering, by the way. Like, I'm frazzled. Well, I started sweating. I was laughing so hard. Yeah, me too. I snorted. I don't snort. The clam slam will go down.

You know what the clam slam? Yeah, it will. This is a perfect transition. Literally. This is a good transition from the clam slam. Okay. It's kind of same caliber. Okay.

Walk in. Okay. Can you define Steph Fussy I got to lock in Yep that's what I said Take your time I gotta take my time with this You need a water break whatever you gotta do

It's a bit it's a bit It's a bit of an enigma It really is I was doing the Q&A As you know The infamous Q&A And one of the questions Someone called me a Stephussy

And I was like I am going to answer that question. I think they said, are you a step-fussie? Or something like that. And I was like, I'm going to answer it. Because I could choose the questions, you know, so I willingly chose that question. I was like, I think this is a good idea. This is a good one to answer.

And I was like, and I don't remember somehow was like, yeah, I guess I am a step-fussie. And somehow this became the greatest, like now when I walk down the street, I swear to God, people aren't like, hey Paul or like, hey, you know, Stefan from the vampire diaries or whatever any other thing. They're just like, what's up, Steph Fussy? So now for the rest of my life, I am a Steph Fussy because I, someone asked me if I was a Steph Fussy on my Q&A. Paul?

So, Paul. If you want, you tell me what a stuff Fussy is. I have no idea. Nor do I. I can't even. Like we kind of maybe understand what it. It's like groundbreaking. Yeah.

It's almost better to not define it. It's almost better to not define it because it could be whatever it is for anyone. And we can't put it in a box. Exactly. We can't put it in a box. Yeah. Wow. Yeah.

And by the way, I keep waiting for it to fade. I'm like surely in time I will no longer be step pussy. You're on Collar Daddy. And we got Steph Fussy question. Oh, no, no. It's been years. Yeah, yeah. It will not leave me.

But you did it to yourself. I did it to myself. You almost wonder who was that person? And are they pissed that they are not getting the credit? The credit. Come forward. And how do you prove? How do you prove it?

How do you prove? Who came up with Steph Fussy? Some genius. Some genius. Who knows? Who knows? We're going to circle back to that. We will.

I have a question. Yes. Even though obviously you touched on this way earlier, but I still have to ask. when you and Nina started Vampire Diaries and you were like, we hate each other, how did you, when you look back, how did you two come together and make it look so good on camera? Because I'm like, just, you know, just for the record, it's not that it was like, we immediately were like, I hate you. It wasn't like that.

We were like actually great. And then it was just like we would have these like, it slowly, you know, it was like, first of all, we were all in our 20s. I was I will take a lot of responsibility because I was a bit of a curmudgeonly I was like a bit of a grumpy pain in the ass I was like I'm taking my acting seriously yeah I heard you were a little intense no phones on set nina nah like I was a little bit intense I was a little bit intense and then you know everyone else was like a little bit more chill and so I think I'm going to take a lot of responsibility for being a bit of a pain in the ass okay all right so that's that's that's number one and so but we were both professional and we both knew and the work mattered to us so regardless so we would we would like butt heads on set but then the minute the cameras rolled it was like we knew we wanted to make it magical and like some actors just you can be like to have two really good actors and the chemistry isn't there for whatever reason

and Nina and I had this chemistry. And I remember when I was auditioning for the vampire derries, screen testing for it, it was like me and nine other guys. And I remember like all these guys were like, you know, kind of kissing her ass, trying to like, you know, whatever. And I remember I just was like,

I'm not going to look at her. I'm not going to look at her. I'm not even going to acknowledge her because I want to meet her in the audition. I want to meet her for the first time in the audition. And that because our scene was us meeting for the first time. And I just remember being in the audition at Warner Brothers, like in front of all.

all the executives and just like we looked at each other and it was just like this immediate chemistry and we were these two characters and it just was magical and so regardless of us not like getting along it's somehow clicked I don't know I guess I didn't really answer your question no like when did you guys start to be like okay like maybe we can be friends like was it like season one we were like you know what no it was like season I it was like season so her last season with season six. Okay. You're like, that's who we became right.

Yeah. Her and then five minutes before she left. No. No. And I just remember like during season six, I remember we like, we all kind of grew up and I chilled out and I was like less of a pain in the ass. And I just remember looking at her and I was like, you know what, Nina? She's still.

I was like, you're going to miss me one day. I said that to her. I was like, you're going to miss me one day. And she's like, maybe, maybe. And I remember like, then like she. And then like years, like two years went by and we kind of kept in touch and then she came back to do the finale. And I like, look and we like hadn't worked together in two years. And I like, we like looked at each other. And I was like, I was like, I missed you. You know what I mean? Like I missed her. Like I missed having her around. And then and then like it was like just and then to this day, she's always like, I remember you said to me, uh, you're going to, you're going to miss me one day. And you know what? You were right. Like you were right. And it was like, it's just like this thing that just like slowly happens.

Well, you know, it's also cool about that. Yeah. Because I remember talking to Neen about it. It's like the amount of episodes that you guys were doing, TV shows don't really do it like that anymore. Like how many were in a season? 22. Sometimes we would do 23. I wish we could go back to those days so I could just binge it all.

But now there's like eight. But like that amount you guys were together so much. And so sometimes you almost like don't recognize what you have until it's gone kind of thing. Absolutely. And I also think like it's different environments. Like you're, there was a lot of stress, you know, and you're young and like. there was this whole like, you know, this was like very pop culture, you know, like we were like at the forefront. It was very different from like having like a success in like a prestige show

where it's like, yeah, people know you but you don't have like screaming, you know, fans. And we had this like a lot of pressure and it kind of like we just didn't know. I'm going to speak for myself. I didn't know how to handle it in a way that was like really mature. Yeah. I was going to ask like the becoming so famous and having such a fandom, like how did you feel about it in the beginning? And how did you like navigate that? I was really very deeply uncomfortable. Truthfully, and I'm not just saying that's like, oh, humility. Like I genuinely like was deeply uncomfortable.

And I kind of like turned into like a bit of a recluse. Like I didn't go out that much. I didn't do that much. And thank God we were in a, in a way, thank God we were in Atlanta because we were kind like separated from Hollywood and all the parties and all the nonsense. And so, but I definitely like sort of, like, tried to hide under a rock a little bit, you know, and I didn't like luxuriate in that moment. Because it's such a special time, you know, acting is such a difficult career and, like, to have something that's successful that people love and people, like, look forward to is such a privilege,

you know, and I didn't take it for, it's not that I didn't, I, I didn't take it for granted, but I definitely, the things that came with it, I didn't enjoy them. Whereas now I'd be like, this is awesome, you know, but at the time I just didn't, I wasn't equipped. Yeah. Did you guys in Atlanta, like, would you guys hang out and like go to bars all together? Yeah. Yeah. Were you able to go out? Yeah. Yeah. We had like our one bar that was like our stomping ground. That was like our bar. And it was, it doesn't exist anymore, but it was called Krog Bar. And it was this tiny little bar. wine bar and we took it over every Friday night, every Saturday night. It was like our thing. The whole cast would go. The crew would go. And that was like, and nobody else would,

and like nobody else really went. And that was like our thing. And we didn't really go anywhere else. Oh my God. That makes us, that makes me really happy. Okay. Stefan, lock in. If Stefan had told Elena in season one that he stalked her because she looked like Catherine, do you think their relationship would have survived? Probably. It's kind of creepy, kind of weird. No, I don't think it would have. Okay. Did Stefan and Caroline's relationship feel like a natural evolution to you?

Not really? I agree. Yeah. I didn't need that. Yeah. Do you think he should have ended up with Caroline or Elena? I think the brothers should have died together and he should have ended up with no one. Oh my God.

Morbid. Ian feels the same. Wow. Have you guys talked about that a lot? Oh, yeah. Ian's like, I wish I died. with you. He's like so upset. Oh, my God. He's so upset. Oh, wow. Okay, I'm glad you guys agree, though. Yeah. Did you ever take anything from set? Yes. I took the daylight ring and then I lost it.

Paul. Can you believe it? Ian still has. Paul. Paul. I took a pair of jeans. They still have Stefan on them. They had them engraved. Steffat? No, just so they wouldn't get mixed up with Damans. Oh, like on the back? Yeah. No, in the inside. They put Stefan. you lost your ring. I lost my ring. So you guys can't like go to events and wear your rings together. You need to get like one. Not that we would do that anyway.

Come on. Go to events and wear my ring. Me literally going, oh. But you have them. And Ian puts his on, no? Oh, Ian's like, I have my ring on just to give him a taste of a dame. And I was like, you're a loser. But you're also secretly like, I wish I had mine.

But I was secretly I'm jealous. He needs to get you one made for your birthday. Yes. I'll work on that. Yes. Okay. Who do you identify most with in real life? Stefan, Silas, or Tom Avery? Silas. That is such a good segue to the next one. Okay.

Where do you stand with Matt Donovan today? I, firstly, love a Zach Roarig who played Matt Donovan. I have a, my whole gag with Matt Donovan. The whole reason I'm always giving Matt Donovan shit is because Matt Donovan was the only human. He's the only mortal. Okay. And he's the only one that like didn't die. How did he not die?

And I'm like, how did Stefan die like nine times? And then like, how did Elena? He also, there's this one scene where like Stefan, I don't know if you remember this, like Elena's drowning in a car with Matt Donovan. And Stephen's like this immortal vampire. and I'm like, I'm going to go save the love of my life. And he dives down there. And he's like trying to get her out.

And she's like, no, no, no, don't save me. Save Matt Donovan. And Stefan's like, okay. And then he just takes Matt Donovan and she drowns. So like, I have this like, you know, I'm like, what is going on? Okay. Wait, I forgot that it was Matt Donovan in the car. That's my whole beef.

That's my beef. Wait, that was so unbelievable. But it was because, like, Elena felt bad for Matt Donovan. Like everyone always felt bad. Whatever. Imagine. Are you kidding me? Like, what?

No. We don't care about Matt. We don't. We do not. I mean, we love Matt. Look, Matt was an instrumental character and we love Matt Donovan, but we will the love of my life here. Come on. I'm going to say, I'm not going to save the sheriff.

And you save Matt Donovan. And I save the sheriff and let her drown. Okay. So to this day, it's a big problem for me. As it should be. Thank you. What storyline could you just not get behind still? Still.

Oh God, there was so many storylines because we did like 170 episodes. It's like it's like my brain is like it's all just like this mishmosh. I mean, there was a couple. What? There was like these, what did they have these? Gosh, you know the show better than me. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've even seen the show.

They had these, I've never seen it. I've seen the first couple of episodes and then I directed a few episodes. I watched the episodes I directed. I've never seen the show otherwise. So I actually don't remember. Oh, we got to do like a rewatch. Should we wear daylight rings? Wait, you know, you want to make some bank?

Yeah. You and Ian rewatch podcast, Vampire Diaries. That would probably do well. Call me. I'll call you. Can we like do a, well? Yeah, I got a whole studio for you. We'll make it look like Mystic Falls.

Okay, let's discuss. We'll talk. We're going to do a whole thing. We'll talk offline. We're going to get everyone too excited. So now you actually have to do it. That is true. You can't fall through.

That is true. Let's talk about your love life. Okay. You got engaged last summer. Yes. Congratulations. You guys met in the wild. Yeah.

So, so few people meet in the wild now. So can you indulge us? Like, how did you guys meet? You know what's funny? Ian was there. Of course he was there. Ian was there. So we were promoting Brothers Bond.

And my buddy owned a bar. the bar doesn't exist anymore, sadly, in the East Village. And he said, hey, pop into our bar and, like, we'll, we'll get you guys a Brothers Bond cocktail and we'll, you know, whatever, shoot a few photos for us, like, get us impressed for the bar and, like, we'll support Brothers Bond. Then he's a good friend of mine. I was like, yeah, of course, let's do it. So we were like, Ian and I were in New York.

And I was like, let's pop into this bar. So we went to the bar in the East Village. And we were shooting some content and stuff. And I had a couple other friends meet me there. and I just see this beautiful woman sitting there. And I was like, who's this like hot girl? I was like, and I looked at her and I was like, okay, I don't want to be creepy. I'm not going to look.

And then I saw her look at me. And I was like, aha. It's like, okay. So clearly there's like something's going on. So I was like, I'm just going to go and I never like I don't hit on girls. It's like not my thing. I'm terrible at it. And I whatever.

So I was like, I'm just going to go there. and I'm just going to like say hi. And thank God my friend who owns the bar happened to be there. And I walk over and he's like, hey, and he's like, hey, by the way, have you met Natalie? And she was right there. So thank God he introduced us because it probably would have been a disaster if I just like cold, you know, whatever. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I said, hey, nice to meet you.

We started talking and found out she was from Europe as well. She spoke five languages. I speak two languages. And we started talking and then just like just really hit it off. And that was it. That was kind of like, you know, and then just like I left the next day, actually, we just like exchanged numbers and I left for Europe. I went on a guy's trip to Europe to Italy, funnily enough.

And then we just were texting and I would send her some picks from Italy. And then I got back to New York and she was still there. And then I asked her out on a date when I got back because we had been texting for like a few weeks. And then fast forward. You're now engaged. And now we're engaged. How was the proposal? Were you stressed?

Did you put a lot of thought behind it? I put some thought behind it because, so I had to go to, once we started dating, we hadn't been dating for very long, and I had to go to Italy for, I was doing a, there's a magazine called Icon, it's an Italian, whatever, it's a cool fashion mag, and I did the cover, and we were doing a launch party in Rome, and they were like, you can bring a guest if you want. We'd only been seeing each other for a little bit, and I said, hey, do you want to come with me to Rome? and she's like, sure. So it was in October, all the hotels were closing. I was like, let's rent a car and drive down to the Amalfi Coast. Like, let's just go see. Like, I didn't book anything. And there was a hotel down there, Belmont Caruso, it's called. And it was the final day before the closing for the season, final two days. So we, and I booked a room and I was like, we had the hotel for ourselves. And we had this, like, magical time there and really kind of like fell in love. And so I thought, so,

I thought, why don't I contact the hotel? This is years later when I want to propose and tell them the story and tell them I want to propose there. And so I contacted the Belmont. I said, hey, this was like our first trip together and I want to make it special. And they were so awesome. This girl, actually, her name's Elena, funnily enough, who works at the Belmont. Now she works for a different company.

But at the time, she worked for Belmont. She's like, of course, I'm going to make it really special. So she set up this, we sort of talked about it on our last night there. I took her to the Belmont and our last night there, there's this like private Olive Grove. And she set up this long table with candles and a private chef. And I, and I trick Natalie. I was like, hey, you know, the Belmont wants to do like a goodbye, like a goodbye dinner for us because it's our last night here. And she's like, oh, that's so nice.

I was like, yeah, dressed nicely. Like, you know, I was like, I was like, and I kind of like made it, you know, like, it. was them like the Belmont did this and not me. And then we got there and she was kind of suspect. And then of course, that's when she realized. And then I pop the question. And that's when she realized like, oh, this was a setup. Paul set this whole thing up. Paul. That is so romantic. Yeah, it was really sweet. Wow. It's also so sweet to like connect it to an early core memory that you guys had together and bring it back. Yeah. Wow. Oh my God. I'm so happy for you. Well, you have a lot to look forward to. you are starring in season four of Star Trek Strange New Worlds.

Can you give fans anything? Like, what can we expect? So I love this show so much. And I play a young James Kirk, which, you know, is one of the most iconic characters, like in the history of television. So obviously it was like a huge honor for me to be given this role. And, you know, what I love about our show is that, it pays homage to the original TOS from the 1960s,

which is such an important, iconic piece of television history and so important to so many people. While we also pay homage to that, but we also kind of create our own spin, our modernized spin, and we sort of like, we tell the story pre-enterprise. So this is Kirk, James Kirk before he was captain. He's Lieutenant Kirk.

He's not as like, he's not, it's like the genesis of who he is, but it's really about like the, the crew that was on the Enterprise prior to James Kirk taking the helm as captain. And this show is like, it's this beautifully imaginative, adventurous, cinematic series that has humor and heart. And we explore all different genres. And if you watch, sorry if I'm blabbing. I love this show so I can like go on about it.

What I love about the original series about Star Trek is that. that it is so optimistic. It is so filled with imagination. And our show is exactly that. It's like this every episode is like kind of like individual. You can enjoy them like individually because they all have their own like sort of like story of the week. But there's this beautiful through line with all the relationships and all the characters. And I don't know. We're just really proud of it. We want we want people to tune in. No, of course. As you should be proud of it. Also, it's so cool, like being a part of such a huge franchise, obviously. I, and now obviously knowing you and knowing how much you take your craft really seriously,

it's so cool to hear you also talk about like recognizing what was so well done before. Yeah. And still having the respect for that and also leaning into a new version and finding a way to bring that to life while still. Yeah. Yeah. It's a lot of pressure, obviously, because it's like William Shatner. It's like, you know, it's like no pressure. He is. Yeah, exactly.

Yeah. Kirk's look is quite, you know, the switchup from Stefan's. Like, talk to me about that costume. Well, I mean, it's the Starfleet uniform. It's like it's very, everyone's kind of wearing the same thing. Although I will say when he's when he's not on the ship, you do see him in some civilian clothing. But like, you know, it's definitely a switchup. Like it's definitely.

And I sort of lean into this sort of, you know, Kirk can be. interpret in so many different ways. And my interpretation of Kirk is like a little bit more, less of the kind of, you know, machismo kind of like ladies man that sort of like is in pop culture. And he's more of like kind of this, I wouldn't say like bookish, but he's definitely like a little bit more of the sort of not nerdy Kirk,

but like still coming of age, Kirk. Like still trying to find out how to be like a captain. You know what I mean? That's what I love so much about, like, obviously, everything you've done so far, like this is so different from Stefan. Yeah. And then even this, I feel like, is so different from what you're about to do on the show that we're making. Yeah.

Because the character on you deserve to know, like, your character is pretty suss. Yeah. And like, you know, when you're, when you're, when you're, when you're, when you're, when you're starring in a show that has become so popular, it is so difficult to break away from that image. right like that's such a thing like it's like a cw thing too i feel like or even like friends or whatever and so like my whole goal ever since i ended um my work on the vampire dars has been like what can i do that's the opposite of stephen like how can i possibly how can i differentiate myself because i don't want to be you know i mean now i am now i am stepfussie you were forever steph at least i have that going for me no no that is like in the hall of fame like stephen salvator is

kind of yet to the wayside. It's sort of like in the shadows, right? It's not a big deal. It's not a big deal anymore. It's Steph Fussy throwing through, but that's not even like a television character now. So now you can focus on Kirk. You can focus on, you know, our new show. Stefan's over there. But it is Steph Fussy is kind of like the top co. And then we have all these little things. It's like unwell, right? And then it's like we have, yeah, there's a bunch of different. And it's like, Steph Fussy. And then within that is, you know. That needs to be on your trailer. Yeah. I'm going to make sure that's on your trailer. Please. Please. Please. Do you have anything weird on your rider?

Like, should I know about anything? Not that I'm going to be filling your trailer. No, no, yeah. Like, you know. Oh, you mean like we, we just, we want this kind of shit. No. No, should I start being that guy? I don't know.

I feel like Ian would have good shit in his ride. I feel like he would have like hair mirrors and hair products and a cowboy have fedoras. You don't ask for anything? I don't ask for any. I'm going to start. What should I ask for? You need to put a rider together and we're going to make sure. What do you ask for?

I asked for like sour patch and like ice tea. You can do that. Oh my God. Yeah. Before I was pregnant, I'd have like, Casamigos Repasado in there if I need a little hit. Brothers Bond. Brothers Bond. I told you when you gave me that bottle. By the way, you loved it.

Matt and I drank it. We were like, oh. And then it was so nice because like, it was really good. And I was like, okay, now I'm actually like, look at them in the eyes and be like, no, no, no, you're right. You don't have to, you don't have to pretend. It was delicious. Okay, so we'll work on your writer. Yeah, please. Paul, this has been so fun. Such a pleasure. I am so, like, I love getting to talk to people who have such a good personality.

And you are one of those people where I could talk to you for forever. But the range in this episode from Jersey Shore, from Donnie, then we had the stepfussie. We got the clam slam. Yeah. How is this not called Steph Fossey and the Clam slam? It has to be. Your publicist's going to love. That's a good spin off.

Yeah. They're like, what is this? No, that was. What have you done? Paul, this was, we were going on here with a very big. and you went completely the opposite. Yeah, we went off on a tangent. No, it was so, so fun getting to sit with you and talk with you.

And I, you know, I'm a big fan and all the things. So like, thank you for your time. Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.