Nina Drama and Jhanelle Castillo: A 15-Year Journey of Love and Partnership

Nina Marie Daniele—popularly known as Nina Drama—has won over fans with her fun UFC interviews and strong social media presence. She has been in a loving, long-term relationship with Jhanelle Castillo for more than 15 years. Their bond is built on support, creativity, and staying strong despite public rumors.

Even though people often assume they’re married, Nina and Jhanelle are simply committed to each other without needing official vows.

Let’s dive into their journey, their connection, and the life they’ve built together.

Unveiling Nina Drama: From Humble Beginnings to UFC Sensation

Nina Drama, was born on December 27, 1988, in Los Angeles. She studied creative writing in college and once considered joining the military, but her career shifted when she entered modeling. She quickly gained fame through features in Sports Illustrated, Maxim, and Playboy, earning the title of Playboy Playmate of the Year in 2018.

In the early 2020s, Nina moved into combat sports media and became a popular UFC interviewer in 2022. Her fun, engaging style helped her build millions of followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X. By 2025, her growing success from modeling, UFC work, and brand deals placed her estimated net worth between $800,000 and $1.5 million.

Meet Jhanelle Castillo: The Creative Mind Behind Nina Drama

Jhanelle Castillo, born on June 7, 1985, in San Diego, California, is a 6-foot-tall model, photographer, and creative director. His estimated net worth is about $220,000. He has been represented by major agencies like LA Models and Ford Models Chicago, working with well-known brands such as Skechers, Cole Haan, Wrangler, and Hudson Jeans.

Alongside modeling, Jhanelle is skilled in photography and branding, often using his Nikon D850 to create high-quality visual content.

With over 36k Instagram followers he shares fashion ideas, creative projects, and occasional glimpses of life with Nina. His calm, low-key personality balances Nina Drama’s high-energy public presence, allowing him to succeed on his own while quietly supporting her career.

The Spark: How Nina and Jhanelle’s Paths Crossed

Nina and Jhanelle’s story began on June 11, 2010, in New York City, right in the middle of the busy modeling and creative world.

At the time, Nina was thinking about joining the military after college, but Jhanelle saw her talent and encouraged her to try modeling instead. That one piece of advice changed her entire career and eventually led to her big Playboy breakthrough.

Their connection was instant, and their relationship quickly grew into a supportive, creative partnership. What started as encouragement turned into a strong bond that has lasted for more than 15 years.

Debunking the Husband and Marriage Rumors

Even though many people assume Nina and Jhanelle are married, the truth is they are not. The rumors mainly come from their long relationship and the sweet posts they share online, like anniversary messages. But there has been no engagement or wedding.

Jhanelle has even joked that Nina wants him to pay off her college loans before she’ll think about marriage, showing that they both take the topic with humor. Instead of rushing into traditional milestones, they focus on mutual respect, shared goals, and the strong bond they’ve built together—proving there are no secret weddings or hidden vows behind the scenes.

Timeline of Their Enduring Bond

Since meeting in 2010, Nina and Jhanelle have marked meaningful milestones together—celebrating their 8th anniversary in 2018 and their 12th in 2022 with loving posts calling each other “soulmate” and “best friend.” They moved to Los Angeles in 2018 for better career opportunities, which brought them even closer as creative partners.

Breakup rumors surfaced in early 2023, but the couple quickly shut them down with a playful comedy sketch featuring Jhanelle. As of 2025, they remain strong, focusing on their careers, their connection, and keeping much of their relationship private. Since 2019, they’ve shared only a few joint posts, choosing healthy boundaries over constant visibility.

Are Nina and Jhanelle Thriving Together in 2025?

Yes — Nina and Jhanelle are very much together in 2025. They live in their Los Angeles apartment, continue supporting each other’s careers, and still share small glimpses of their life online.

Nina’s August 5, 2025 TikTok showed their shared workspace, while Jhanelle’s March 20, 2025 Instagram post reassured fans they’re doing well. Even as Nina’s fame grows, the couple quietly shuts down breakup rumors through these subtle updates, proving their partnership remains strong and steady.

A Cozy Home Filled With Rescue Pets

Nina and Jhanelle don’t have children, and they aren’t planning for a family—so their five rescue dogs are truly their “fur kids.” Their newest pup, Bella, joined the family in June 2024. Jhanelle takes the lead on most of the pet care, handling feeding, walks, and daily routines so Nina can focus on her work.

Their home life is warm and simple: vegan meals cooked by Jhanelle (like the tacos Nina shared on Instagram on August 10, 2025) and joint gym sessions, such as their August 3, 2025 workout. This peaceful routine with their dogs gives them a comforting, grounded space away from the spotlight.

Navigating Fame While Preserving Privacy

As Nina’s UFC career rises, she and Jhanelle have learned how to balance public attention with a private, grounded life.

They only share selective moments—usually creative projects or fun behind-the-scenes clips—while keeping most of their relationship offline to protect their intimacy. Jhanelle often reposts Nina’s content to support her without putting their personal life on display, showing a thoughtful and strategic approach to handling fame together.

Jhanelle’s Impact on Nina’s Career

Jhanelle has played a major role in Nina’s career from the very beginning. He was the one who encouraged her to pursue modeling back in 2010, and he has continued supporting her through photography, branding, and behind-the-scenes work.

He shot her 2025 Reebok campaign, handled the tech setup for her August 10, 2025 Twitch stream that pulled in 5,000 viewers, and regularly helps her set healthy content boundaries. Nina often calls him her “driving force,” crediting his guidance for helping her transition smoothly into UFC media and rise to stardom.

Nina’s Big Business Moves in 2025

In 2025, Nina took bold steps to grow her brand. She launched a fitness apparel capsule with Reebok on July 10, selling an impressive 5,000 units in the first week.

She also secured a sponsorship with Monster Energy and plans to release her own resistance bands by December. These new projects blend her modeling experience with her UFC popularity, helping her build a stronger and more diverse income stream.

Nina’s Big Business Moves in 2025

In 2025, Nina took bold steps to grow her brand. She launched a fitness apparel capsule with Reebok on July 10, selling an impressive 5,000 units in the first week.

She also secured a sponsorship with Monster Energy and plans to release her own resistance bands by December. These new projects blend her modeling experience with her UFC popularity, helping her build a stronger and more diverse income stream.

Building Strong Connections in MMA

Nina has formed solid, professional friendships with many UFC fighters. She has openly clarified that these relationships are purely platonic.

These connections help her create fun, trusted, and authentic content, strengthening her reputation as a respected MMA personality.

Handling Online Trolls with Humor

Nina deals with online negativity by turning it into comedy. Whether through witty replies or funny videos, she flips troll comments into entertaining content. Jhanelle often supports her by sharing these posts, helping her stay confident and relatable while keeping her audience engaged.

The Look-Alike Buzz of 2025

In June 2025, fans began comparing Nina to another MMA journalist, sparking a playful “look-alike” trend online. Nina addressed it with humor, which quickly cooled the speculation and highlighted her down-to-earth personality.

Expanding Her Reach Beyond UFC

Nina’s influence is growing outside the UFC world as well. She has been expanding her presence on Twitch and other digital platforms throughout 2025. With new sponsorships, streams, and content projects, she continues to establish herself as a versatile creator in both combat sports and entertainment.

Committed to Community and Giving Back

Nina and Jhanelle make time to give back, even with their busy careers. On June 20, 2025, they hosted a youth workshop in Los Angeles focused on storytelling and resilience, bringing together 50 teens. Their love for rescue animals and their uplifting online messages also show their dedication to creating a positive impact in their community.

Nina’s Italian American Roots

Nina comes from an Italian American background on her mother’s side, and this heritage plays a role in her personality and creativity. Her culture-inspired warmth, humor, and expressive storytelling often shine through in her interviews and social media moments.

Looking Ahead: Their Plans for the Future

When it comes to the future, Nina and Jhanelle prioritize their careers over marriage or starting a family. Nina is focusing on expanding her business projects, while Jhanelle continues growing his creative work in modeling, photography, and directing. Their shared vision and teamwork suggest many more collaborations and steady success ahead.

How Their Love Shapes Nina’s Public Image

Nina’s relationship with Jhanelle adds a grounded, authentic layer to her public persona. Their long-standing bond shows loyalty and stability, offering a refreshing contrast to the pressures and drama often seen in the entertainment world. Fans appreciate how real, steady, and supportive their partnership is.

Conclusion

Nina Drama and Jhanelle Castillo’s 15-year relationship is a powerful example of love built on trust, support, and shared ambition. Through career changes, public attention, and personal milestones, they’ve stayed grounded and united. Their bond thrives not through constant display, but through genuine loyalty and quiet strength—proving that real love grows through partnership, not pressure.