Overview

• Dobrev says she, Candice King and Kat Graham were the lowest-paid series regulars early on, even as she performed multiple characters under a contract naming only Elena.
• In season 3 renegotiations she received a raise but not pay parity with Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, according to the book.
• Julie Plec recounts the studio directing writers to stop using Dobrev’s second character over added costs, later allowing only limited appearances after tense negotiations.
• Dobrev says the initial offer for her series-finale return was five times less than her prior rate; she declined until Plec intervened to secure her requested pay for one episode.
• Ian Somerhalder describes parts of the fandom as becoming “really, really mean,” calling it a “toxic cancer to society” and saying the experience changed his view of fandom and his career path.