'The Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev Gives Emotional Teen Choice Awards Speech

The Vampire Diaries' star Nina Dobrev gave an emotional speech at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday. After donning a pair of vampire fangs, she spoke about leaving The Vampire Diaries and the impact of change. Dobrev won the Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-Fi.

Dobrev approached the mic wearing a pair of big, obstructive fake vampire fangs. She took them out saying she doesn't "need these anymore."

"Change. It's a scary word, or I used to think that, because it meant new beginnings. New beginnings with a future that was unknown," Dobrev said. "But change is necessary. Necessary for you to grow up and learn and to better yourself, because everything in life comes to an end."

"As this chapter of my life comes to an end," Dobrev continued, "I look back at it with a grateful heart, and I smile, because just like my character Elena, I started the show as a young girl, and together we grew up. We've grown up and over the last six years we've become women."

Backstage in the Teen Choice pressroom Dobrev spoke a bit about her future plans post-TVD. She said that she has some plans but can't discuss them.

"I don't think I can talk about that yet," Dobrev said. "That's what's exciting, not knowing. I took the fangs out, so I'm going to try and do some other things."

Dobrev announced she was leaving TVD back in April.

"I always knew I wanted Elena's story to be a six season adventure, and within those six years I got the journey of a lifetime," she said then.

According to E!, Dobrev's departure from TVD was her own decision, not that of the show's producers. She was on the show for six years in a demanding role (well, more accurately, roles) and wanted to rest. Dobrev also looked forward to freeing up her schedule to allow for more future opportunities.

When the show had its finale in May, Dobrev took to Twitter and Instagram to again greet and thank her fans.

"Thank you so much for all the love and positivity from you unbelievably passionate and amazing fans," she said. "Your support means more to me than I will ever be able to express with words."