TW: This article contains discussions of alleged domestic violence in which a child was present.
Artem Chigvintsev is best known for his (now former) professional dancer role on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. For the last four seasons, he has been trying his best to win the Mirror Ball Trophy. But he really shot to fame when his romance with Nikki Garcia went public. The dancer and the athlete forged a friendship that eventually turned into a love story. The duo shared their big day for fans as cameras rolled on their show, Nikki Bella Says I Do. But after only two years of marriage, the union seems to be crumbling.
Artem was accused of “kicking and shoving” Fern Britton on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing
In 2012, Fern Britton told Huffington Post that Artem would “kick me and shove me” during her time on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing. In the interview, Fern revealed that Artem would “manhandle” her. She also claimed he once said, “You just stand there and don’t move, I dance round you. Shut your face. Go home before I kill you.”
Fern added that her partner would tell her, “‘If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb.’ I thought, ‘Well, I won’t correct him on that one.’” At the time of the 2012 interview, Artem denied the allegations. He spoke with the Daily Express in 2012, noting, “I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care, and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am.” The father of one went on to say, “I cannot imagine what has prompted such statements which come as a shock to me.”
Artem Chigvintsev called 911 in the morning of August 29, 2024
On the morning of August 29, Artem called 911, alleging that his wife, Nikki, had thrown a shoe at him. At the time, he requested medical support. In the dispatch call obtained by TMZ, the dispatcher notes, “Initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at rp [reporting party].” The dispatcher went on to say, “There is a child on scene. Medical en route, There’s an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible.”
The outlet also reported that Artem called the paramedics off. The dispatcher then stated, “RP is stating no medical is needed now.” The recording shares that Nikki has a child, and at the time of the emergency call, Nikki and Artem are physically separated from one another. An hour later, the police showed up and saw visible injuries on the alleged victim.
Artem Chigvintsev is arrested later that day on suspicion of domestic violence
Artem was arrested for felony corporal injury to a spouse. The Hollywood Reporter shared via the online jail records that the pro dancer was booked into the Napa County Jail at 10:40 am under California penal code 273.5 (a), which states “any person who willfully inflicts corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon a current or former spouse, cohabitant, fiancé or fiancée, or fellow parent is guilty of a felony.”
Artem was released on Thursday afternoon after he posted his $25,000 bail. Law enforcement had yet to release any details about the victim at the time. However, Artem’s wife Nikki has now broken her silence.
Nikki Garcia speaks out following husband Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest for alleged domestic violence
In a statement, Nikki’s rep said, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.” Nikki and Artem first met in 2017 when she was partnered with him for Season 25. At the time, Nikki was engaged to WWE star John Cena. The WWE Hall of Famer reconnected with Artem in March 2019. Before the end of that year, they were engaged, and in July 2020, they welcomed their son, Matteo. Marriage came a couple of years later, in August 2022.
Two days before Artem’s arrest, Nikki shared a post wishing her husband a happy second anniversary.
Nikki wrote, along with a video montage, “This song is our love story. “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.”
On August 30 of this year, Nikki stepped out as TMZ caught her boarding a private plane in Oakland, CA. The 40-year-old could be headed to Arizona, where her family resides, or to Las Vegas. Nikki is booked to co-host Netflix’s Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef on September 2. Nikki wasn’t wearing a ring when she stepped onto the plane.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.
