Nikki Garcia is speaking out about her split from Artem Chigvintsev nearly two weeks after the two finalized their divorce and dropped their dual restraining orders: "I've been heartbroken."
Nikki Garcia is opening up for the first time about her split from Artem Chigvintsev.
Nearly two weeks after the former couple finalized their divorce and agreed to move past their dual restraining orders amid their settlement, the Total Bellas star is reflecting on their difficult breakup.
Nikki's insight into her journey comes three months after the Dancing With the Stars pro—who shares 4-year-old son Matteo with the WWE star—was arrested on a suspicion of felony domestic violence charge, with which he was not charged.
"I'm going to try my best not to get too emotional in this episode," Nikki told her sister Brie Garcia during the Dec. 2 episode of the Nikki & Brie podcast. "But I first want to just thank everyone, the listeners, you, family, friends, coworkers, people I haven't talked to in a long time, just for all the love and support, for the respect of privacy and space."
As she noted, "The past few months, I disconnected from social media, from the world. And I just knew that I needed to disconnect, because first things first, I'm a mom and my son's protection and privacy is the most important. So I was going to do whatever it took for that, most importantly, and then just needing space, for healing, for facing trauma, head on, all of that. So it's been tough. It's been really tough. I've been heartbroken, sad."
The 41-year-old went on to note how she was dealing with the aftermath of her split, sharing that she could've never predicted the outcome.
"You dream of having this family, and you have this incredible love," she continued, "and it just goes the other way. And you go from having a great love story to having a terrible one, and—never saw any of it coming. You know, as far as what the ending would be. So it's just been a struggle."
Artem was arrested on Aug. 29 following an incident at his and Nikki's home. According to a September press release, local prosecutors decided not to press charges after evaluating the evidence. Shortly after the decision, the ballroom pro told E! that he was "incredibly relieved and grateful" to close that chapter.
That month, Nikki filed for divorce from Artem, 42, after two years of marriage and listed his arrest as their official date of separation in court documents obtained by TMZ.
As Nikki shared, though she's decided to speak out about this chapter, she wants to continue to protect her son's privacy.
"I've been so shocked, like beyond words, and it's been heartbreaking," she explained. "You lose your appetite, you cry a lot. And then I also stepped up and made sure everything was okay for Matteo. And so it's just been—I don't even know what other words to use."
But now, Nikki is focused on her road ahead.
"The one thing that I have realized disconnecting from the world, it's when you know the truth, nothing else matters," she added. "So when some of you would come to me and tell me what people were saying or what was out there, it would affect me in some way, but because I know the truth, and I actually lived it, it didn't have a big effect on me."
As she noted, "All I need to do is focus on my healing. I need to focus on Matteo's healing."
For his part, Artem has disputed Nikki's account of their confrontation, alleging in his filed response that she was the aggressor during their confrontation in August. The following month, Artem spoke out, noting that the former couple's son Matteo remained his main focus.
"He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life," he said in a Sept. 25 statement. "All along, my main concern has been for him."
He added, "I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward. I am hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on."
Read on for more on Nikki and Artem's legal battle since his arrest.
When Was Artem Chigvintsev Arrested?
Artem Chigvintsev was arrested shortly before 10 a.m. on Aug. 29, Napa County Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Henry Wofford confirmed to E! News.
Wofford noted the Dancing With the Stars pro did not was resist and was taken to the Napa County Department of Corrections. Chigvintsev was booked on a charge of felony domestic violence with a bail set at $25,000, per online records.
When Was Artem Chigvintsev Released From Custody?
The professional dancer posted bail and was released from custody at 2:18 p.m. on Aug.29, Wofford confirmed to E! News. A court date has yet to be announced.
What Else Have Authorities Said About Artem Chigvintsev’s Arrest?
While Wofford told NBC News Chigvintsev was arrested in Yountville, Calif, he did not reveal the exact location due to a request for privacy from the alleged victim.
As a result of this request, he added, the Sheriff is also not releasing the name, gender or age of the alleged victim or the individual’s relationship to Chigvintsev. However, Wofford did have this to say about the arrest.
“When someone is charged with felony domestic violence usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eyewitness,” he told E! News, “our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges.”
“Of course this could change with more evidence that might come through,” Wofford continued, “but at the time of the arrest the deputies felt it was a felony charge instead of a misdemeanor."
He also shared why victims may choose to keep personal information private in these cases.
“Some victims may not feel comfortable sharing all details at time the suspect is arrested,” Wofford noted. “Some victims feel embarrassed, threatened, or fear the incident may impact their family. We have to give victims adequate time and support, which help them realize we are here to help.”
In an audio recording shared by TMZ Aug. 30, a dispatcher can be heard saying Chigvintsev had initially called 911 to request medical attention after an argument in which shoes were allegedly thrown at him. However, the dispatcher said the 42-year-old later stated that medical help was no longer needed.
Still, Wofford said authorities continued with their check.
“For domestic violence, if someone picks up the phone and says, ‘You don’t have to come after all,’ we’re still going to go for a welfare check," he told Page Six. "We’re not just going to stop what we’re doing."
What Has Artem Chigvintsev Said About the Arrest?
As of Aug. 30, Chigvintsev has yet to speak publicly on the arrest or 911 call. E! News has reached out to his rep for comment but has yet to hear back.
Will the Arrest Affect Artem Chigvintsev’s Future on Dancing With the Stars?
Chigvintsev’s arrest came less than three weeks prior to Dancing With the Stars’ season 33 premiere. However, the past Mirrorball winner—who’s appeared on 12 seasons of the competition series—was not set to be a part of this season’s cast, Page Six and Variety reported.
E! News has reached out to ABC for comment but has yet to hear back.
Has Artem Chigvintsev’s Wife Nikki Garcia Said Anything About His Arrest?
A rep for Nikki Garcia—who met Chigvintsev when they were paired together on season 25 of Dancing With the Stars in 2017—spoke out about his arrest the day after his booking and release.
"This is a private matter,” the rep told E! News Aug. 30, “and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time."
Chigvintsev’s arrest came three days after he and Garcia—who share 4-year-old son Matteo—celebrated their second wedding anniversary.
“Happy anniversary my love,” the ballroom dancer wrote on Instagram Aug. 26. “can’t see my life with out you. You are my everything.”
In her own post, the former WWE star quoted the lyrics from Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and posted throwback footage of the couple in Paris, where they got married in 2022.
“This song is our love story,” she wrote in the caption. “I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!”
Have Any Dancing With the Stars Pros Spoken Out About Artem Chigvintsev’s Arrest?
Shortly after Chigvintsev’s arrest, Cheryl Burke—who retired as a Dancing With the Stars pro in 2022 after 26 seasons on the show—shared her reaction to the news.
Noting Chigvintsev is someone she grew up with and lived with at one time, Burke said on her podcast Sex, Lies and Spray Tans that she was in “complete shock” over his arrest.
“My heart goes out to everyone involved,” she shared on the Aug. 30 episode, noting it was recorded the day before. “It’s just really hard for me because he was my family. I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody’s OK.”
In a clip of her podcast posted to TikTok, Burke also shared resources.
What Is Happening to Artem Chigvintsev's Domestic Violence Case?
Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley shared on Sept. 24, 2024, that her office will not be filing charges against Chigvintsev following a "thorough review of the criminal investigation and careful evaluation of the evidence presented to the DA’s Office."
“If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available,” she wrote in the caption. “Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to…https://www.thehotline.org/.”
Does Artem Chigvintsev Have Custody of His and Nikki Garcia's Son Matteo?
In a Sept. 25, 2024 statement to E! News, Chigvintsev said he was "incredibly relieved and grateful" that his domestic violence charge was dropped.
"This has been an extremely difficult time for me," he shared. "I am thankful that the truth has prevailed."
The dancer added that he is "hopeful" in securing an equal co-parenting arrangement with Garcia, who requested for sole legal and physical custody of their son Matteo in her to Sept. 11 divorce filing.
Chigvintsev said, "I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be."
Has Nikki Garcia Made Allegations Against Artem Chigvintsev?
Garcia obtained a restraining order against her ex after stating in a petition obtained by TMZ that Chigvintsev "tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present."
“Due to the incident that led to Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has decided to file for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect herself and her son,” Nikki’s reps said in a statement TMZ. “Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected.”
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