Ian Somerhalder And Nikki Reed Engagement Rumors Heat Up; ‘Twilight’ Star Finalizes Divorce From Paul McDonald

It’s a New Year -- and a possible new engagement for “Twilight” alum Nikki Reed. The 26-year-old actress, who has been dating “Vampire Diaries” star Ian Somerhalder, is officially able to get married after the finalization of her divorce from “American Idol” crooner Paul McDonald. But Reed and Somerhalder shippers shouldn’t start looking for their wedding invitations just yet.

According to E Online, Reed and McDonald were granted a divorce Dec. 26. The couple wed in July 2011, and announced their separation in February 2014. Reed walked out of the marriage with the couple’s dog (a German shepherd named Enzo), two homes and an apartment in Los Angeles, as well as three cars -- a Toyota Rav4, Toyota Tundra and a Range Rover. McDonald was able to keep their Nashville home, and neither opted to receive spousal support.

With the couple’s divorce finalized in the final days of 2014, many fans began speculating whether 2015 would bring a new marriage for the actress.

A romantic relationship between longtime friends Reed and Somerhalder blossomed over the summer when they were first photographed jogging together in Los Angeles. The pair has been inseparable ever since, with Reed allegedly even moving into Somerhalder’s Atlanta home so she could be closer to him during filming for Season 6 of “The Vampire Diaries.” The couple has been together for a brief amount of time, and has made it clear they’re in a serious relationship -- but the engagement rumors are just rumors.

The speculation began in July when Somerhalder, 36, dished to E News at Comic Con that he wanted to get married in the future. But the star didn’t name any names as to who the future Mrs. Somerhalder would be.

“I will be. I will be,” the actor told E about being married. “I mean eventually, in my life! No, I mean, eventually.”

The rumors were put to rest for a while, but resurfaced in December when Somerhalder was reportedly caught shopping for an engagement ring. An insider told HollywoodLife.com the actor spent more than an hour inside Neil Lane jewelers in Los Angeles.

“He spent a while looking at expensive cushion cut engagement rings on the first floor -- like $100K and up expensive,” the source dished. However, despite looking “really excited” and in a “great mood,” Somerhalder reportedly did not leave with an engagement ring.

Most recently, Somerhalder and Reed spent the holidays on the ski slopes at Idaho’s Sun Valley resort. The couple, who were accompanied by Reed’s brother, Nathan, posted sweet Instagram photos and videos, referring to each other as their “love.” Friday, they were photographed grabbing smoothies after a workout in Los Angeles, as documented by the Daily Mail.

Somerhalder and Reed are not engaged yet, but Twitter is already preparing for a possible engagement in 2015: