Who better to represent Cosmopolitan’s mission statement of fun, fearless, female than newly single Nina Dobrev?

The Vampire Diaries star takes no pity on herself for her relationship status. After she and Vampire Diaries co-star Ian Somerhalder broke up in May, she has taken every opportunity to embrace living her own life. Through her Instagram and Twitter accounts, the brunette beauty documented her amazing summer of travelling to Asia, spending time with her brother and best friend Julianne Hough, and recently attending Chicago’s big music festival Lollapooloza wearing a shirt that says Lolla Virgin (video posted down below).

Dobrev poses for the Cosmopolitan cover in a houndstooth strapless dress and matching pumps with a slight smirk. She is also photographed inside the issue wearing a bright orange shark bite skirt, a tight black frock, and combat boots. Posing by a river, Dobrev dons a relaxed natural beauty look.

She opens up inside the issue about what she likes in a guy – or gentleman - her friendships, and her passion for yoga and hope to one day own a studio. Dobrev, who admits she is a relationship-girl as opposed to a one-night stand girl, says she likes when a guy is a gentleman by holding doors open and being thoughtful. “A lot of what attracts me is a guy’s mind and humor and talent, ” she also tells the magazine.

When asked about her relationship with also single Hough, Dobrev defends their friendship as something more than a girlie-girl relationship where they are single together. “That’s not what our friendship is about,” she says. “Unfortunately that’s how it’s perceived, but there’s more to us. People aren’t defined by their relationships. The whole point is being true to yourself and not losing yourself in relationships, whether romances or friendships.”

The full interview will be available in the September issue of Cosmopolitan, available on August 13. In the meantime, check out Dobrev’s fun, fearless Cosmo cover shoot video and her awesome time at Lollapooloza below!

Image: Twitter