‘Vampire Diaries’ star Paul Wesley criticised for dating much younger fiancée

Paul Wesley, best known for The Vampire Diaries, is facing a wave of criticism that highlights an uncomfortable age dynamic in his personal life. The actor, reportedly 43, is engaged to 25-year-old model Natalie Kuckenburg. According to fans, Wesley is now meeting her mother, who is said to be around 49, for the first time after three years of dating, and many are calling the situation “gross.”

The backlash centres on the notion that Wesley is in an age group more socially compatible with his fiancée’s mother than with his actual partner. Several users noted that the age gap between Wesley and her mother is much smaller than that between him and his fiancée, calling into question the dynamics at play. “43 and 49 is much closer than his 43 and the fiancée’s 25,” wrote one comment.

Wesley’s relationship and engagement with Natalie Kuckenburg has already drawn attention elsewhere. According to People, the Vampire Diaries star popped the question in Italy, on a romantic trip to the Amalfi Coast. Kuckenburg, a German-Brazilian model, has opened up previously about her family and upbringing, including her mother’s influence. But what many fans didn’t expect was the reported meeting between Wesley and his fiancée’s mother, which has sparked unease about maturity, power imbalance and motive.

Some users were blunt, they suggested Wesley waited this long to meet her mother because the relationship “feels more natural” at the age proximity. Others connected this with his romantic history, this will be his third serious relationship, and critics are now framing his pattern of dating younger women as deeply problematic.

There’s also a broader cultural conversation here: when a celebrity relationship crosses generational lines, what does it mean for both parties, and for onlookers? In one thread, someone wrote that without context, a photo of the two women beside Wesley could easily be misread as a family portrait. That ambiguity seems to fuel part of the discomfort, especially online, where fans are quick to call out anything that feels off.

Wesley himself has spoken fondly of his fiancée’s humour and energy. In interviews, he has praised her as “one of the funniest people” in his life. However, whether that warmth will be enough to quiet the online chatter remains to be seen. For now, the criticism underscores just how deeply public relationships, especially those with notable age differences, are being examined through the lens of power, propriety and image.