“I’ve Had the Hugest”: Gabby Douglas Once Had The Biggest Crush On This Star From The Famous Series ‘The Vampire Diaries’

Gabby Douglas has achieved some significant milestones in her career as a professional gymnast representing the United States. From winning the team event world title to framing three Olympic gold medals on her wall of fame, the Newport News native has covered every nook and cranny of her vocation. However, not many people are aware that the 28-year-old gymnast is a big TV series buff and has a special place in her heart reserved for the American television blockbuster The Vampire Diaries.

Furthermore, Gabby Douglas once revealed a surprising connection between her and TVD and a massive crush that she had on one of the stars of the show. Unexpectedly, she had the opportunity to meet the actor, a meeting that left her mesmerized.

When Gabby Douglas was heady with excitement meeting THE Damon Salvatore

In her book Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith, Gabby Douglas uncovered her love for the Vampire Diaries and recalled the incident that still gives her “chills.” It was the time when she was called to the sets of the show in Atlanta to do a cameo role, and during her visit, she also got to meet her “hugest crush,” Damon Salvatore, aka Ian Somerhalder. She writes, “Do you notice me trembling a bit because I got to meet Ian Somerhalder? He plays Damon on the show, and I’ve had the hugest crush on that guy forever.” She also added that she found all the cast members of the show “pretty hot.”

Douglas also wrote that upon seeing the series’ first preview, she hesitated to binge-watch it initially, as she was a devoted fan of Twilight at the time and wanted to keep that fandom intact, but when she started watching the show, the gymnast got addicted to it ever since. Mentioning about her guest appearance in the show, the Olympian was overjoyed with excitement, as she was going to act in the series that she loved all her life.

A gymnast who is also a multipotentialite

Douglas, along with her mother and sister Joyelle, who also happened to be an avid TVD fan, reached the sets and were given a backstage tour, and all of them were left awestruck by the enormity of it. The Virginia-based athlete wanted to join acting school after completing her high school diploma, and all this was due to that special appearance that she did in The Vampire Diaries.

She also recalled that she did all that before getting her driver’s license and added that she was a shy girl back then, but winning golds in gymnastics did the trick for her. Gabby Douglas has now grown into a mature and established gymnastics icon on the global stage. Her journey reflects not only her innate talent but also the relentless hard work she invested in achieving greatness.

Read More: “I’m Crying”: Gabby Douglas Overwhelmed By A Young Fan’s Gesture