Dancing with the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev arrested for domestic violence

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https://www.tmz.com/2024/08/29/dwts-...estic-battery/

Chigvintsev was taken into custody late this morning in Napa Valley on a felony charge of domestic battery, reports TMZ, which adds: "Unclear what led up to Artem's arrest or the circumstances ... but it's worth noting Artem's wife, former WWE star Nikki Garcia, posted an Instagram Story on Wednesday revealing she was in Napa too. At this point, it is unknown if she was involved in any way." A spokesperson for Napa County Sheriff's Office says the victim in the case has asked for total confidentiality. The couple, who have a 4-year-old son together, celebrated their third wedding anniversary earlier this week. Chigvintsev is a 12-season veteran of Dancing, but Variety reports he was not set to be part of the upcoming Season 33, premiering Sept. 17. Last week, Garcia was announced as co-host of Netflix’s competitive eating event, Chestnut VS. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, which streams live on Monday.

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Artem Chigvintsev allegedly violent history resurfaces

Chigvintsev has a history of domestic violence with them or anyone else, reported the outlet. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Lea Thompson recalls "intense" experience with Dancing with the Stars partner Artem Chigvintsev

“It was hard working with him because it was his first year and it was a big deal to him,” Thompson told Cheryl Burke on the her iHeart podcast Sex, Lies and Spray Tans, per EW “He was so intense. It was so much more important to him than to me, honestly. And so that made me really nervous, it made me crazy after a while.” Thompson danced with Chigvintsev, who was recently arrested on domestic violence charges, during his first season on Dancing with the Stars in 2014.

[JamesG]

Nikki Garcia Files for Divorce from Artem Chigvintsev after his Domestic Violence Arrest
by Raechal Shewfelt
September 12, 2024


Nikki Garcia is moving to end her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev after two years. The former WWE wrestler filed in Napa Valley, Calif., on Wednesday, according to online court records.

A rep for Garcia confirmed the divorce news to PEOPLE and said she "continues to ask for privacy for her and her family at this time."

https://ew.com/nikki-garcia-divorcin...arrest-8711671

[JamesG]

Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev Settle their Divorce 3 Months after his Domestic Violence Arrest
by Raechal Shewfelt
November 20, 2024


"Nikki and Artem have settled their divorce and will not be going to court," a representative for Garcia said in a statement.

"Both parties decided to drop the domestic violence restraining orders against each other in an effort to move on with their lives and effectively co-parent their son. Nikki's number one priority has always been her son and privacy on the matter. She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received during this difficult time."

https://ew.com/nikki-garcia-and-dwts...ivorce-8749106

[JamesG]

Nikki Garcia Reflects on Painful Divorce from Artem Chigvintsev
by Christian Holub
December 2, 2024


Nikki Garcia returned to The Nikki & Brie Show, the podcast she hosts with her twin sister and former wrestling partner Brie Garcia, after a sustained absence to comment on the "heartbreaking" past few months of her life.

Nikki had been absent from the show (and from all social media) following Chigvintsev's arrest on Aug. 29 for suspicion of domestic violence at their California home. Both she and Chigvintsev subsequently claimed that the other was the instigator of the incident, and the Napa County district attorney declined to press charges.

Nikki filed for divorce in September, and the divorce was finalized via private mediation on Nov. 20.




"I've been heartbroken," Nikki said on the new episode.

"You dream of having this family and this incredible love and it just goes the other way. You go from having a great love story to having a terrible one. I never saw any of it coming, you know, as far as what the ending would be. So it's just been a struggle."




Nikki said on the new episode that she wanted to maintain public silence for the sake of Matteo, her young son with Chigvintsev. Brie commended her for not fighting back against smears and rumors, noting “I would have probably done it differently.”

Nikki also said she acted with "love and grace" for the sake of the love she once had for her ex-husband. But, she admitted, their relationship hadn't been at its best for some time.




“When it came to our relationship, it's sad, but it just hasn't been great for a long time," Nikki said.

"I really played it up like things were a lot better than what they were in the public eye, which I have regrets in that because what I felt was like, if I can just put this person on a pedestal, and maybe if this person hears it enough, what I believe in them, they can believe that in themselves.”




“Do you think that you feel like your fans, your supporters, want to see almost like this fairytale relationship, so you feel like you have to give it to them?" Brie asked.

"That, yes, and I didn't want to have another failed public relationship," Nikki said. "And more than any of that, I wanted it for Matteo...I tried really hard but, in the end, we weren't bringing the best out in each other, and we should have probably walked away a long time ago.”

https://ew.com/nikki-garcia-reflects...intsev-8753993