Nikki Garcia has officially ended her relationship with Artem Chigvintsev, but that does not mean she is completely over all that transpired between them. Nikki Garcia recently opened up for the first time about her split from Artem Chigvintsev during the December 2 episode of the “Nikki & Brie” podcast.
Her reflection comes nearly two weeks after the former couple finalized their divorce and agreed to move past their dual restraining orders. It also 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, though he was not charged.
Nikki Garcia Says She Had To Disconnect After What Happened With Chigvintsev
It may have been weeks since they finalized their divorce and started settlement, but Nikki Garcia is still very emotional about what happened with Chigvintsev. “I’m going to try my best not to get too emotional in this episode,” Nikki told her sister, Brie Garcia, during the 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.”
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“The past few months, I disconnected from social media, from the world,” she continued. “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.”
Garcia said she was willing to do anything to maintain privacy for her son but that she also needed space to heal and face the trauma “head-on.” “It’s been really tough,” she confessed on the podcast. “I’ve been heartbroken, sad.”
The 41-year-old also highlighted how she was dealing with the aftermath of the split, revealing that she could’ve never seen the outcome coming.
“You dream of having this family, and you have this incredible love,” she said. “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.”
How Long Was Nikki Garcia’s Marriage to Artem Chigvintsev?
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev were married for two years. They tied the knot in August 2022. But things fell apart when she filed for divorce on September 11, 2024, two weeks after Chigvintsev’s arrest for domestic violence.
What Led to Nikki Garcia’s Divorce From Artem Chigvintsev?
When Nikki Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev, she cited the date of his arrest as their official date of separation. Artem Chigvintsev was arrested on August 29 at his and Nikki’s home on suspicion of domestic violence.
The district attorney did not press charges after considering the evidence. When Garcia filed for divorce on September 11, many expected an ugly fight. There was the 42-year-old dancer’s legal response and their lack of a prenuptial.
However, they have settled, and the pair seem ready to move on. Shortly after receiving news that the DA would not press charges, Chigvintsev expressed how “incredibly relieved” he was to put the experience behind him.
Garcia seems to be in the same boat and now seems more willing to discuss the subject. But she wants to continue to protect her son and his 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.”
Aside from the domestic violence issue, Garcia has also hinted at how she was constantly fixing things in their relationship. It drained her, leaving her with a lot of sadness, which may have ultimately led to the end of their romance.
What Artem Chigvintsev Said About What Led To His Arrest
Artem Chigvintsev has confirmed that there was a confrontation between him and Nikki Garcia on the day he was arrested. However, he disputes Nikki’s account of that confrontation. As far as he is concerned, she was the aggressor during the confrontation, which happened in August.
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He also says their son, Matteo, remains his main focus as they continue to weather the storm of separation. “He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life,” he said on September 25. “All along, my main concern has been for him.”
“I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward,” he added. “I am hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on.”
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