For years, internet culture has spun endless theories about YouTube star David Dobrik and his longtime friend and assistant, Natalie Mariduena. Because they share an extraordinarily close bond, travel the world together, and constantly appear side-by-side in content, fans have frequently asked if they are secretly a couple. The short answer is no. They have never dated, and their dynamic is strictly platonic.
The speculation persists largely because of how central Natalie has been to David's online empire. Understanding the truth behind their friendship requires looking past the clickbait headlines and examining how their professional and personal relationship actually functions.
The Origin of the David and Natalie Dynamic
David Dobrik and Natalie Mariduena grew up together in Vernon Hills, Illinois, where they attended high school. They were part of the same friend group long before YouTube fame entered the picture. When David moved to Los Angeles to pursue content creation and eventually blew up on Vine and YouTube, his life moved at a breakneck speed.
In 2018, David invited Natalie to move to Los Angeles to work as his personal assistant. At the time, his vlogs were capturing massive cultural attention, characterized by fast-paced editing, expensive giveaways, and chaotic stunts. Natalie stepped into the role of managing his chaotic schedule, coordinating shoots, and handling day-to-day operations. Over time, her title evolved from assistant to president of his company, cementing her as a core pillar behind the scenes of his business ventures. Rolling Stone has provided coverage on this important subject in great detail.
Why Fans Keep Shipping Them
Internet audiences love a good friends-to-lovers story, and David's content strategy did little to squash the rumors. In his vlogs, David frequently played into the comedic tension, leaning into bits that made it look like they were a domestic couple or pretending to be jealous of her romantic pursuits.
Furthermore, because Natalie was featured in almost every video—riding in the passenger seat of his car, helping pull off pranks, or traveling internationally—casual viewers naturally assumed there was a romantic element. Social media algorithms and gossip channels amplified these assumptions, often taking normal platonic interactions out of context to generate engagement.
However, both David and Natalie have addressed the rumors repeatedly on podcasts, interviews, and social media. They have clarified that their relationship is purely sibling-like. David has explicitly noted that dating a childhood friend whom he works closely with would complicate both their personal bonds and their professional operations.
Realities of Working With Close Friends
Mixing close friendships with high-stakes business creates a unique set of challenges that both creators have navigated openly.
- Blurred boundaries: When your best friend is also your boss or employee, separating work life from personal life becomes nearly impossible.
- Public scrutiny: Every public outing, shared flight, or social media post is heavily analyzed by millions of followers looking for hidden relationship clues.
- Dating outside the circle: Both individuals have had to navigate separate romantic relationships in the public eye while dealing with fanbases that actively root against anyone outside of their platonic duo.
For example, Natalie was previously in a high-profile public relationship with fellow Vlog Squad member Toddy Smith, which further proved that her romantic life existed entirely outside of David. Despite the internet's desire to see them together, they have consistently maintained professional and personal boundaries where romance is absent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are David Dobrik and Natalie still working together?
Yes. Over the years, Natalie transitioned from a basic assistant role to managing major business operations and projects for David. They maintain a close professional partnership alongside their lifelong friendship.
Did David Dobrik ever date anyone in the Vlog Squad?
No. David has kept his romantic relationships largely separate from his main content channels. His most famous marital "stunt" was a comedic bit where he legally married Jason Nash’s mother, but he has never dated anyone within his immediate core friend group.
Where is Natalie Mariduena originally from?
Natalie grew up in Vernon Hills, Illinois, where she and David attended high school together before eventually relocating to Los Angeles.
Why do people think they are dating?
The rumor persists because of their constant physical proximity, travel schedules, and David's penchant for joking about their dynamic in his vlogs. Fans often mistake close platonic affection for romance.
