Candice King was married to musician, Joe King from 2014 to 2022. The details resurfaced amid her second wedding to Steven Krueger.
Candice King and Steven Krueger are married now! The Vampire Diaries and The Originals stars tied the knot in an intimate, "elopement-style" ceremony in Nashville on February 28, 2026. The wedding took place at The Chapel at High Point Farm with only 15 guests in attendance, including Candice's two daughters and Steven's nieces. The pair initially planned a larger wedding for fall 2026 but moved the date up after discovering they were expecting a baby boy, due in May 2026. Notably, this is the actress' second marriage, after her split from Joe King. Amid her new beginnings, here's a look at her past relationship with him.
Joe King (real name Joseph Aaron King) is an American musician and songwriter best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the rock band, The Fray. Born on May 25, 1980, he is 45 years old as of April 2026. Joe formed The Fray in 2002 alongside his former schoolmate, Isaac Slade in Denver, Colorado. While working as an auto damage appraiser before the band's success, he contributed significantly to their rise. He was a key figure behind the creation of the band's debut album, How to Save a Life (2005), which achieved international acclaim.
Joe also co-wrote nearly all of the band's songs and provided lead vocals on several tracks, including Heaven Forbid, Ungodly Hour, and Rainy Zurich. Beyond his work with the band, Joe King has pursued various independent musical ventures, including a 2013 six-song solo EP, Breaking. He made and released the EP under the moniker, King. Joe is also credited as a composer on high-profile tracks, including the hit, Closer by The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey, which sampled elements of The Fray's Over My Head (Cable Car). Joe also contributed to Timbaland's album, Shock Value 2, on the track, Undertow.
Joe King and Candice King's relationship began in February 2012 after they met at a Super Bowl event in Indianapolis. Candice's The Vampire Diaries co-star and close friend, Nina Dobrev, played a key role in the origin of her love story with Joe King. The 38-year-old actress was reportedly going through a difficult time, and Nina invited her to the Super Bowl trip to cheer her up. Candace and Joe met during a celebrity flag football game where they were placed on the same team. She reportedly noticed him backstage because he was wearing the same-coloured shirt as hers.
Despite their instant connection, Candice was reportedly too shy to give him her phone number. At that time, Nina Dobrev took the initiative, writing down Candice's number and passing it along through a chain of people (including a tour manager and the cleaning staff) until it reached Joe. After the event, the couple texted and spoke for three months, building a warm bond and developing a positive feeling toward each other. After that, Joe King convinced her to meet in person and go on their first official date.
Candice and Joe's whirlwind romance reached the next level after a year of dating. They got engaged on May 29, 2013, while vacationing in Florence, Italy. After over a year of life as fiancés, the former couple walked down the aisle on October 18, 2014. They held their wedding in New Orleans, Louisiana, specifically at the Montegut House. Interestingly, the nuptials featured a French Quarter-themed celebration and a traditional second line parade through the streets of New Orleans. The event was attended by many of Candice's The Vampire Diaries co-stars, including Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev, and Kat Graham.
Candice and Joe welcomed two daughters together during their marriage. Their first daughter, Florence May King was born on January 15, 2016. Their second daughter, Josephine June King arrived on December 1, 2020. Candice shared her pregnancy journey during the 2020 pandemic on her podcast, Directionally Challenged. Her name is a tribute to Florence, Italy, where the couple got engaged in 2013. Additionally, the ex-spouses also shared a blended family that included Joe's two daughters from his previous relationship, Ava King and Elise King.
Candice and Joe King filed for divorce in April 2022 after seven years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the official reason, as per PEOPLE. Reports following the announcement indicated that they had grown apart over time. Court documents revealed the pair had been separated since January 2022. Following the split, Candice moved to Nashville, while Joe remained in Brentwood, Tennessee. As of April 2026, Candice got married to her former The Originals co-star, Steven Krueger in February 2026, two months after announcing that she was expecting her first child with Steven.
Congratulations to Candice King and Steven Krueger!
Also Read: Candice King Reveals She Struggled To Find A Wedding Dress Due To Her Pregnancy With Steven Krueger