Nikki Garcia 'Asks For Privacy' After Artem Chigvintsev's Arrest on Suspicion of Domestic Violence

Mar. 15, 2025

Artem Chigvintsev (left) and Nikki Garcia (right).Photo:Rodin/EckenrothNikki Garciais speaking out after husbandArtem Chigvintsevwasarrestedon suspicion of domestic violence.On Thursday, Aug. 29, theDancing with the Starspro was arrested on charges of corporal injury to spouse — presumably Garcia, although this has not been confirmed. In a statement to PEOPLE on Friday, her rep asked that the former WWE star’s privacy be respected.“This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,” the statement read.Nikki Garcia (left) and Artem Chigvintsev (right).Gregg DeGuire/WireImageChigvintsev was arrested and booked in Napa Valley on the morning of August 29, just two days after the pair celebrated their two year wedding anniversary. The Russian-born dancer was released on $25,000 bond later that day.On August 27, Garcia took toInstagramto paytributeto her husband. She posted a video of moments throughout their relationship, and captioned it in part with lyrics fromElvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”“This song is our love story,” she wrote. “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. 🙏🏼✨”“Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you! ❤️‍🔥,” it concluded.Chigvintsev alsopostedfor the occasion, writing: “Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life with out you. You are my everything ❤️”Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The pair first met when Garcia was partnered up with Chigvintsev onDWTSin 2017, and at the time, Garcia was engaged toJohn Cena, but the two broke it off the following year and she and Chigvintsev begandating. TheTotal Bellasalum had previously opened up about the couple’s relationship issues, particularly after welcoming their now-4-year-old son,Matteo.“We hear a lot of stories of where there’s sacrifice in their own relationship because it’s about the kids,” she said on theTamron Hall Showin November 2021. “Artem and I, from the beginning, want to know: How do we balance this for Matteo and for our relationship?“A year later, Garcia explained that when she was a judge onAGT: Extreme,she and Matteo spent nearly two months away from Chigvintsev, contributing to their rough patch. By November 2022, she said they were doing better.“It’s been really hard on us,” she admitted, adding that things were “a little rocky for a bit,” but the two have had “sexy FaceTimes” and were “stronger than ever.”If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Artem Chigvintsev (left) and Nikki Garcia (right).Photo:Rodin/Eckenroth

Rodin/Eckenroth

Nikki Garciais speaking out after husbandArtem Chigvintsevwasarrestedon suspicion of domestic violence.On Thursday, Aug. 29, theDancing with the Starspro was arrested on charges of corporal injury to spouse — presumably Garcia, although this has not been confirmed. In a statement to PEOPLE on Friday, her rep asked that the former WWE star’s privacy be respected.“This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,” the statement read.Nikki Garcia (left) and Artem Chigvintsev (right).Gregg DeGuire/WireImageChigvintsev was arrested and booked in Napa Valley on the morning of August 29, just two days after the pair celebrated their two year wedding anniversary. The Russian-born dancer was released on $25,000 bond later that day.On August 27, Garcia took toInstagramto paytributeto her husband. She posted a video of moments throughout their relationship, and captioned it in part with lyrics fromElvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”“This song is our love story,” she wrote. “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. 🙏🏼✨”“Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you! ❤️‍🔥,” it concluded.Chigvintsev alsopostedfor the occasion, writing: “Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life with out you. You are my everything ❤️”Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The pair first met when Garcia was partnered up with Chigvintsev onDWTSin 2017, and at the time, Garcia was engaged toJohn Cena, but the two broke it off the following year and she and Chigvintsev begandating. TheTotal Bellasalum had previously opened up about the couple’s relationship issues, particularly after welcoming their now-4-year-old son,Matteo.“We hear a lot of stories of where there’s sacrifice in their own relationship because it’s about the kids,” she said on theTamron Hall Showin November 2021. “Artem and I, from the beginning, want to know: How do we balance this for Matteo and for our relationship?“A year later, Garcia explained that when she was a judge onAGT: Extreme,she and Matteo spent nearly two months away from Chigvintsev, contributing to their rough patch. By November 2022, she said they were doing better.“It’s been really hard on us,” she admitted, adding that things were “a little rocky for a bit,” but the two have had “sexy FaceTimes” and were “stronger than ever.”If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

Nikki Garciais speaking out after husbandArtem Chigvintsevwasarrestedon suspicion of domestic violence.

On Thursday, Aug. 29, theDancing with the Starspro was arrested on charges of corporal injury to spouse — presumably Garcia, although this has not been confirmed. In a statement to PEOPLE on Friday, her rep asked that the former WWE star’s privacy be respected.

“This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,” the statement read.

Nikki Garcia (left) and Artem Chigvintsev (right).Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Chigvintsev was arrested and booked in Napa Valley on the morning of August 29, just two days after the pair celebrated their two year wedding anniversary. The Russian-born dancer was released on $25,000 bond later that day.

On August 27, Garcia took toInstagramto paytributeto her husband. She posted a video of moments throughout their relationship, and captioned it in part with lyrics fromElvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

“This song is our love story,” she wrote. “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. 🙏🏼✨”

“Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you! ❤️‍🔥,” it concluded.

Chigvintsev alsopostedfor the occasion, writing: “Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life with out you. You are my everything ❤️”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The pair first met when Garcia was partnered up with Chigvintsev onDWTSin 2017, and at the time, Garcia was engaged toJohn Cena, but the two broke it off the following year and she and Chigvintsev begandating. TheTotal Bellasalum had previously opened up about the couple’s relationship issues, particularly after welcoming their now-4-year-old son,Matteo.

“We hear a lot of stories of where there’s sacrifice in their own relationship because it’s about the kids,” she said on theTamron Hall Showin November 2021. “Artem and I, from the beginning, want to know: How do we balance this for Matteo and for our relationship?”

A year later, Garcia explained that when she was a judge onAGT: Extreme,she and Matteo spent nearly two months away from Chigvintsev, contributing to their rough patch. By November 2022, she said they were doing better.

“It’s been really hard on us,” she admitted, adding that things were “a little rocky for a bit,” but the two have had “sexy FaceTimes” and were “stronger than ever.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com