‘Vampire Diaries’ Star Ian Somerhalder Responds To Nikki Reed Backlash

“Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder is in relationship bliss with “Twilight” star Nikki Reed -- and he isn’t letting anyone take him down from cloud nine. The 35-year-old actor took to social media during the weekend to respond to fan backlash related to his new romance.

The drama began after fans of Somerhalder took to his Instagram account to post about his 26-year-old beau. Not one to generally comment on his relationship status, the actor and philanthropist surprised everyone when he responded to those bashing his girlfriend.

“You HATE NIKKI REED? Really? Do you know her? Hmmmm, I’m not sure that you do. Look at her Instagram feed or Twitter and all you will see is a compassionate and beautiful human being. Please put your negative energy elsewhere,” Ian Somerhalder posted. “You don’t even know the person you’re talking about.”

And he didn’t stop there. Somerhalder continued by asking those commenting on his Instagram if they “cared about him.”

“Ask yourself that question,” he wrote. “What’s the answer? Is it yes? If it is -- then please be happy for me. Stop this nonsense -- you’re spreading horrible energy into the world. Do some research of the person you say sucks or you HATE. You’ll find that she’s a magical person doing great things in the world. I’m sickened and saddened by the fans’ response to all this. Many fans have stood up people like you and tried to empower you with some compassion. If we all thought a little about people before we spoke about them, the world wouldn’t be so upside down and in the worst place in history. If you hate Nikki then you must hate me. … That’s sad. Have an amazing day!”

Dating rumors between Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed sparked in July when they were photographed looking “cozy” in Los Angeles. By late August the pair were reportedly living together in Somerhalder’s Atlanta home.

“[Nikki] goes to set every day,” a source told Us Weekly, referring to filming for “The Vampire Diaries” Season 6.

Before getting linked up together, Somerhalder was attached to “Vampire Diaries” co-star Nina Dobrev for three years. The pair split in May 2013 and are said to have remained good friends. Reed on the other hand filed for divorce from her “American Idol” alum husband, Paul McDonald, in May. The pair wed in October 2011.

Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed have yet to officially announce their relationship status, but based on Somerhalder’s response to fans and some sweet PDA, the feelings between the pair appears to be pretty obvious.