Nina Dobrev admits to being bullied in her younger years.

The Vampire Diaries star talks to E! Online during the TrevorLive benefit for The Trevor Project about her 'awkward years.'

'I had a couple of awkward stages,' says Nina, adding, 'Now we have hair and makeup. I pay professionals. But you didn't have professionals when you were grade three.'

She describes further how she looked like back then.

'I had a chunky face. I had a phase where I cut my hair like a boy so kids will find anything to pick on you for whether it's true or not because it makes them feel better and bigger and it isn't until you're the victim that you realize that it's not fun and it's not cool... Until you learn, you can hurt a lot of people,' explained the "Vampire Diaries" star.

Yet, judging from the Elie Saab gown and bracelets from John Hardy's Bamboo Collection that she wore that night, various sources says Dobrev 'stunned the red carpet' and could be considered 'free of any teenage awkwardness'.

It was her first time to attend the TrevorLive event.

'The Trevor Project has helped so many people save lives and hopefully it will continue to save more,' said Nina.

Meanwhile, after the event, she headed to In-N-Out-Burger to grab a bite while still wearing the same Elie Saab dress. Dobrev had even posted a photo of it over her WhoSay account.

'I couldn't help it," writes Nina. 'I had to... Gown or not.'

Over her Twitter account, she wished her "Vampire Diaries" co-star and ex-boyfriend Ian Somerhalder a happy birthday.

'Happy Bday Smouldy! Hope you had a beautiful day filled w/ smiles+gluten free cake,' tweets Nina. 'But not too much cake,we're on the CW :P @iansomerhalder.'

Dobrev and Somerhalder dated for three years before amicably parting ways according to a source.

'There was no mean spiritedness behind of either of their motives for ending it,' says the source, adding, 'The relationship kind of brewed out of a friendship and the fact that they had to get into a romance for the show. The breakup was inevitable. I think she decided she wanted to experience other things.'

Contact Music reports that they are rumored to rekindle their romance after Dobrev ended her fling with Derek Hough of "Dancing With The Stars."