Artem Chigvintsev opens up about his personal and professional fallout after his high-profile separation from Nikki Garcia.
The former “Dancing With the Stars'” pro described the rapid fall of his marriage as a surreal event that forced him to a state where he had to survive.
Chigvintsev married Garcia in 2022, and divorced them in 2024 after they welcomed their son Matteo.
Artem Chigvintsev Reflects on the ‘Bad Dream” That Led to Survival Mode
Chigvintsev, who was arrested in 2024 on charges of alleged physical abuse to a spouse, was dropped from “Dancing with the Stars”. He had been on the show for nine seasons. He did not face charges of domestic violence, but the impact was immediate. His wife of two years, Garcia filed for divorce one month after his arrest.
On a recent podcast episode, “The Penthouse With Peta”, the dancer described this period as a bad dream that left him in survival mode. He was unable to fully deal with the loss of his career and marriage at the same time.
Chigvintsev, according to Entertainment Weekly, admitted that despite the pain of the split, the dramatic separation “needed to occur” to end a marriage he described as “unhealthy”.
He admitted that he would not have started the separation because of his upbringing or his parents’ long-term marriage. He preferred to work out issues. He revealed that he was willing “to sacrifice” his own happiness in order to keep both parents with their five-year old son, Matteo.
What Nikki Garcia said about her marital issues with Artem Chigvintsev
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Chigvintsev made his statements over a year ago, after Garcia had shared her side of the story about why her marriage with the dancer ended.
During a podcast in December 2024 Garcia reflected on her emotional patterns which defined her last year and contributed to the breakup of her marriage.
The Blast reported that the 42-year old shared that she spent time researching “divine femininity,” a concept which helped her realize that she doesn’t have a responsibility for fixing, changing, or improving the people in her own life.
She said it took her more than 40 years to realize that she could offer support but not solve someone’s deeply ingrained problems.
She explained that she was not here to fix her partner, but rather to set an example for her children and to nurture them, rather than to try to fix her partner.
The “Total Bellas'” alumna encouraged her listeners to identify these “fixing patterns” early and to establish boundaries before they lead them to emotional exhaustion.
Nikki Garcia has previously praised her co-parenting relationship with Artem Chigvintsev
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As Garcia and Chigvintsev appeared to accept the end of their relationship, they were also able find a balance within their co-parenting relationships.
In September, the 42 year old television personality revealed that despite their dramatic separation, she and her ex-husband have managed to create a surprising strong co-parenting relationship.
Garcia, according to The Blast, credited her newfound stability with allowing her return to her professional wrestler roots.
The former “Total Bellas'” star expressed her gratitude for Chigvintsev’s ability to adapt to her demanding schedule. She said that he was “amazing”, coordinating their time together with Matteo, their four-year-old son. He even allowed her to spend extra time with Matteo to accommodate her weekly traveling.
Nikki Garcia sparked dating rumors when she was spotted with a football star
Photo by: July 21, 2025. Happy Gilmore 2, New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center. New York City. 21 Jul 2025 Pictured : July 21, New York, New York USA: NIKKI GARCIA Attends Netflixa? Happy Gilmore 2, New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC. July 21, 2025. Photo by…Happy Gilmore 2, New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC. July 21, 2025. Photo by. Photo credit: ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA TheMegaAgency.com Sales@mega.global. (Mega Agency TagID MEGA1341163_006.jpg). [Photo via Mega Agency]
Garcia, who had just gushed about her wonderful co-parenting partnership with Chigvintsev sparked dating rumors after she was seen with Cooper DeJean.
The 42-year old WWE star shared an Instagram video documenting her trip at a Eagles game. She was seen smiling widely while posing before the 22-year athlete’s locker. The video included a moment of a post-game party at a local pub, where the two looked cozy together.
Garcia captioned her post by thanking Philadelphia for its hospitality and expressing her gratitude for all of the friends, new and old, who make up the fabric of her life.
According to The Blast Garcia and DeJean are social media friends and often exchange likes and remarks on their posts.
Nikki Garcia denies the romance rumors
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The wrestler has downplayed romance rumors despite the buzz surrounding Garcia and DeJean. Garcia revealed that she hasn’t had an intimate relationship in “a really long time” on her podcast “The Nikki & Brie Show.”
The Blast reported that Garcia told her sister Brie: “It’s crazy, because I haven’t touched or done anything for so long.”
She was frustrated with the public narrative and found it ironic that harsh labels were placed on her when she avoided intimacy. The Blast first published The Artem Chigvintsev Draws Curtain on ‘Unhealthy Marriage’ To Ex Nikki Garcia
