Pro dancer for the hit show “Dancing With the Stars“, Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on August 29th just before 10 a.m. in Napa, California and was sent to Napa County Jail on a felony domestic violence charge. According to Napa County Jail Website, it states that he was charged for a penal code 273.5(a) which means it’s “illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence.” In order to proceed with this charge, the injury must be visible. Artem’s bail was posted at $25,000. Napa Officials have not disclosed any information about alleged victim or details about the arrest while they gather information.
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia after a elegant Ballroom Night Performance on season 25 episode 02 of “Dancing With the Stars”.
For those who don’t know who Artem Chigvintsev is, Artem is a Russian dancer and was on “Dancing With the Stars” for 12 seasons starting back from season 18. The only seasons he doesn’t appear in is seasons 21,28, and 33. Artem met his former wife Nikki Garcia as known as Nikki Bella, when she was a WWE superstar from 2007 to 2022. The two met on season 25, when they both got paired together back in 2017. The two got eliminated the seventh week of competition on episode 08 of season 25.
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia with their son Matteo.
In 2019, they got engaged and in July 2020 they welcomed their first child together. Then the two finally got married back in August 2022. The day of the arrest, Nikki decides to file for a divorce. Artem responded on September 11th. Nikki’s twin sister Brie Garcia, also another former WWE superstar, encouraged her to leave saying “Any sort of violence does not fly and was very worried about Nikki and her son.” Nikki is also seeking sole custody of her son Matteo with visitation rights for Artem. She also wants to terminate spousal support because Artem is asking for spousal support from Nikki and asking if she could pay his attorney feed in response to Nikki filing for the divorce. He is also asking for joint legal and physical custody. But at this time Nikki asks “for privacy for her and her family.”
If you or if you know anyone who is a victim of domestic violence, please seek help by going to a local police station or call (800)799-7233 for the national domestic violence hotline.
Sources: Variety News, Entertainment News, ABC News, Kentucky News, US Magazine