Overview of Call Her Daddy with Paul Wesley
In this playful, nostalgia-heavy Call Her Daddy interview, Alex Cooper sits down with Paul Wesley to cover everything from The Vampire Diaries and his long-running bromance with Ian Somerhalder to his real name, his Polish upbringing, his viral internet moments, and his current life with fiancée Natalie. The conversation is equal parts behind-the-scenes TV talk, personal storytelling, and unfiltered comedy — with plenty of Vampire Diaries lore, unexpected confessions, and fan-favorite inside jokes like “Stefussy” and the “Clam Slam.”
Main Topics Discussed
The Vampire Diaries and the cast dynamic
- Paul reflects on how iconic The Vampire Diaries remains thanks to streaming and rewatch culture.
- He talks about reuniting professionally with Nina Dobrev for a new project, You Deserve to Know, and why they intentionally chose not to play a romantic couple.
- Their decision was based on preserving the legacy of Stefan and Elena rather than inviting comparisons.
- He also confirms that the show’s fandom still follows the cast closely, even a decade later.
His friendship with Nina Dobrev
- Paul explains that he and Nina did not get along at first, but eventually became close friends.
- He says the relationship slowly evolved over time, and they kept saying they should work together again.
- He and Nina even shared courtside Knicks appearances, which excited fans.
- He jokes about Ian Somerhalder being “jealous” of the Nina reunion.
His bond with Ian Somerhalder
- Paul and Ian’s off-screen relationship is described as a decades-long “brotherhood.”
- He recalls:
- meeting Ian during fang fittings in Burbank,
- flying to Vancouver together for the pilot,
- and later renting adjacent apartments in Atlanta while filming.
- Paul says they were opposites:
- Ian = optimistic, social, always on the move
- Paul = more skeptical, low-key, and serious
- Their bond later inspired their bourbon brand, Brothers Bond.
His real name and background
- Paul reveals his full name is Paweł Wasilewski.
- He explains that:
- his parents immigrated from Warsaw, Poland
- his family spoke Polish at home
- he changed his stage name to “Paul Wesley” because people struggled to pronounce his birth name
- He describes growing up in New Jersey with supportive, highly educated parents who encouraged him to pursue acting.
Early acting days and New Jersey stories
- He shares stories from his youth:
- fake IDs at 15
- sneaking out to New York City clubs
- living a very “Jersey Shore” lifestyle before even watching the show
- He also reveals he played Donnie on The O.C. and that fans still recognize him for it.
- He lived in a West Village studio apartment with his childhood friend Ricky and Ricky’s Pomeranian while working early acting jobs.
His viral internet moments
- He discusses the viral moment where he thought Madison Beer was a type of beer.
- He says he didn’t panic over the viral attention and mostly found it funny.
- He also explains how his Instagram Close Friends Q&A style content became a TikTok phenomenon during COVID.
His current relationship and engagement
- Paul shares how he met fiancée Natalie in the wild at a bar in the East Village.
- Ian Somerhalder was present when they met.
- He says the attraction was immediate, but he made sure not to be creepy.
- He proposes with a romantic trip back to the Belmond Caruso in Italy, recreating the location of one of their first meaningful trips.
- The proposal involved a private olive grove, candles, and a chef — all under the guise of a farewell dinner arranged by the hotel.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
- Paul talks about playing a younger James Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
- He says the show honors the original Star Trek while bringing a modern, adventurous, emotionally rich spin.
- He describes his Kirk as a little more thoughtful and less macho than the pop-culture version.
Most Notable Stories and Moments
“Stefussy”
- The phrase originated during one of his Q&As when a fan asked if he was a “step pussy.”
- Paul jokingly answered “yes,” and the internet ran with it.
- Now, he says people still shout “Stefussy” at him in public.
The “Clam Slam”
- Alex brings up a Love Island reference, and Paul is completely unfamiliar with it.
- His confusion becomes one of the funniest moments of the episode.
- He is visibly stunned and laughing throughout the explanation.
Fan chaos and weird encounters
- Paul tells a creepy story about a fan who showed up at his house with suitcases and a perm bowl, believing she’d been invited to move in.
- He also mentions receiving a giant box of sausages from a fan.
- He jokes that he’s often oblivious to pop culture references and viral moments happening around him.
His relationship with the Vampire Diaries legacy
- Paul says he has mixed feelings about how famous the show made him at the time.
- He was uncomfortable with the attention and became more reclusive.
- Looking back, he recognizes it as a special moment he didn’t fully appreciate in real time.
- He and Ian would often go to the same bar in Atlanta after long days of filming, where the cast and crew formed a tight-knit community.
Key Takeaways
- Paul Wesley is much more self-aware, funny, and low-key than his Vampire Diaries persona might suggest.
- His career has been shaped by:
- immigrant roots
- early soap opera work
- a massive CW breakout
- and a smart effort to keep reinventing himself
- His strongest long-term relationships in entertainment are clearly:
- Nina Dobrev
- Ian Somerhalder
- and now his ongoing Star Trek and You Deserve to Know work
- He remains grateful for the opportunities he’s had, even if he jokes that he still doesn’t always know what’s going on.
Fun Facts and Running Jokes
- He has no love for being called “Paul Wazilewski”; “Wesley” was chosen for simplicity and flow.
- He and Ian once looked like accidental twins in matching outfits while traveling for The Vampire Diaries.
- He refuses to sleep without:
- a humidifier
- a sound machine
- and sometimes earplugs or an eye mask
- He does not handle marijuana well, but he does fine with bourbon.
- He takes pride in being a “good drinker” and is very involved in Brothers Bond bourbon.
Final Impression
This episode is a mix of nostalgia, celebrity lore, and hilarious oversharing. Paul Wesley comes across as charming, deadpan, and surprisingly candid about fame, friendship, fandom, and romance. For fans of The Vampire Diaries, it’s especially satisfying because it gives real insight into the Stefan/Ian/Nina dynamic while also showing how much of Paul’s public identity has been shaped by accidents, jokes, and the internet running wild with one-liners.