The life of Hollywood often looks glamorous from the outside. But behind the scenes, even the biggest stars can face serious setbacks. Ian Somerhalder has now opened up about a phase that could have changed everything for him.
After stepping away from acting, the former TV heartthrob found himself in a situation that few would expect: drowning in an eight-figure debt alongside his wife, Nikki Reed.
Ian Somerhalder Paid A Very Costly Exit Price From Hollywood
Somerhalder decided to leave acting around seven years ago, even though his career was at its peak. He gained worldwide fame on ‘The Vampire Diaries‘, where he worked from 2009 to 2017. Many believed he would continue growing in Hollywood, but he chose a different path.
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In an interview with E! News, he explained the reason behind his decision. He said, “I retired from acting seven years ago. I left an insanely lucrative career in television after a financial upheaval from building a business that I didn’t build properly.” His decision to move into business soon led to unexpected problems.
He also shared that fraud made things worse and pushed both him and Reed into heavy debt. He admitted that it “put my wife and I into an eight-figure hole.” The situation became more serious after he made large personal guarantees to a bank, and everything eventually fell apart.
How The Couple Fought Their Way Out Of A Massive Debt
The financial pressure was intense, and getting out of it was not easy. Somerhalder clearly said, “Eight figures is a hard hole to climb out of.” Still, he and Reed stayed determined to overcome the challenge.
He credited Reed for playing a major role in their recovery. He said, “But Nikki and I did it. You know, she really negotiated us out of this deal, but we sold houses, paintings, cars, watches, everything.” The couple had to give up many valuable possessions to slowly reduce their debt and move forward.
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Looking back, Somerhalder admitted that life could have turned out very differently. He said, “I mean, I should have been retiring off of one of the biggest TV shows in the world.” Instead of enjoying financial security, he had to rebuild his life step by step.
Today, Somerhalder has moved fully into business ventures. He co-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon along with his co-star, Paul Wesley. He and Reed also launched The Absorption Company, which offers high-absorption powdered supplements.
Even after going through such a difficult time, he maintains a positive outlook. He advised others to “make it fun” when starting a business alongside a partner. He explained, “The ups and the downs in the journey are supposed to be fun. The grind is supposed to be fun.” He also encouraged people to “find the beauty in all of it.”
Somerhalder and Reed share two children, and the family moved to a farm near Los Angeles a few years ago and embraced a different lifestyle.
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