Nikki Garcia Hosts Hot Dog Eating Contest After Husband Artem Chigvintsev's Arrest: 'Happy to Be Here'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Rob Riggle and Nikki Garcia co-hosting ‘Chestnut VS Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef’ for Netflix.Photo:Netflix/X

Netflix/X

Nikki Garciais back at work amid her husbandArtem Chigvintsev’s legal troubles.

Garcia, 40, was seen in high spirits as she and Riggle, 54, hyped up the crowd for the event. The former WWE wrestler made her debut wearing a sleeveless red vest and matching tailored pants. She accessorized her look with red lipstick and platform shoes. The cohost also opted not wear any jewelry — including her wedding ring.

It wasn’t the first time she chose not to wear the band. Whileboarding a private planein Oakland, California on Saturday, Aug. 31, seemingly headed to the Netflix event in Las Vegas, Garcia was also seen without her ring.

Nikki Garcia attends Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 32nd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party.Jerod Harris/Getty

Jerod Harris/Getty

“Thank you everyone, I’m so happy to be here!” she smiled after Riggle’s passionate introduction during the live event on Labor Day. Garcia paused to respond to fans' cheers and told audience members, “I love you too.”

Garcia was allegedly throwing shoes at Chigvintsev during the argument, per the dispatcher heard in the audio on TMZ.

A rep for Chigvintsev has not responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

(L-R) Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia attend the PUBG Mobile’s #FIGHT4THEAMAZON Event at Avalon Hollywood on December 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

In the clip of the call, a dispatcher says that the Russian-born dancer “initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at RP [reporting party].”

“There is a child on scene. Medical en route,” the dispatcher added, presumably referring tothe couple’s 4-year-old son, Matteo.

“There’s an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible,” the dispatcher continued, per TMZ.

Per the audio clip, Chigvintsev eventually called off a request for medical assistance. “RP is stating no medical is needed now,” the dispatcher said, also noting that the parties had separated.

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(L-R) Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev attend “Twin Love” - Cocktails And Bites With Hosts Nikki & Brie Garcia at Soho House in November 2023.Anna Webber/Getty

Anna Webber/Getty

Garcia posted about hostingUnfinished BeefInstagramon Friday, Aug. 23. “I am so pumped to be part of the ultimate hot dog-eating competition! 🌭👊🏼 This is going to be EPIC!!” she captioned a post featuring promotional photos of the special. “Tune in to watch Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef on September 2, LIVE on@netflix.”

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

source: people.com