Actor Ian Somerhalder defends his girlfriend Nikki Reed after receiving negative comments about the `Twilight` actress online.

Somerhalder's fans recently decided to use his image sharing website comments section as a forum to bash his new girlfriend, Reed, reports contactmusic.com.

Instead of dismissing the negative banter, Somerhalder wrote back to the fans in a lengthy online rant, telling them, "You Hate Nikki Reed? Really? Do you know her? Hmmmm, I'm not sure that you do. Look on her Instagram feed or twitter and all you will see is a compassionate and beautiful human being. Please put your negative energy elsewhere. You don't even know the person you're talking about."

He added: "Do you care about me? Ask yourself that question. What's the answer? Is it yes? If it is - then please be happy for me. Stop this nonsense - you're spreading horrible energy into the world."

"Do some research of the person you say sucks or you hate. You'll find that she's a magical person doing great things in the world."

Somerhalder and Reed sparked romance rumours in July after they were photographed spending a weekend together here.