Trigger Warning: This article contains discussions of alleged domestic violence in which a child was present.
Nicki Garcia just wanted “a chance to communicate” with her husband, Artem Chigvintsev. Prior to his arrest on August 29 for domestic violence, they had planned a relaxing spa day.
The retired wrestler told podcast listeners last week she looked forward to some phone-free spa time with her husband. She and her Dancing with the Stars alum spouse were celebrating their second anniversary.
“When you’re in the steam room together or the sauna or the pool … you just get to sit and chat,” the Total Bellas alum said. “Artem and I talked about doing that.”
“The best moments” via Nikki Garcia
Saying that she and Artem “did something similar last year,” Nikki called those “the best moments.”
“It gave us a chance to communicate about our marriage,” she explained. “Where are we at, what are you loving, what are you not loving?”
“We had such a great conversation,” she continued. “[We] made — not goals — but [discussed] things we can add to our marriage … [Things we] are looking forward to.”
She promised listeners she would share details from their conversation, depending on what Artem considered “TMI.”
She laughed that, at times, her husband would ask her, “Did you really have to talk like that?”
Plans changed
The couple married in Paris in August 2022 and share a four-year-old son, Matteo. Sadly, despite their plans to have a relaxing anniversary, Artem “had to go do some work,” so plans changed.
“We originally had this amazing lunch planned,” Nikki noted. “Artem and I were gonna do all these things while Matteo was in school.”
Just three days later, Napa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Artem at their home in Napa, California. Charged with federal corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, he was released on $25,000 bail.
The Nikki Bella Gets Married alum has yet to speak about the incident, and her spokesperson requests “privacy.” Notably, Nikki was not wearing her wedding ring over the weekend while boarding a private jet for Las Vegas for an appearance there on Monday.
Some sources are reporting that Nikki is also looking for a divorce lawyer.
Dancing with the Stars Season 33 premieres on September 17 at 8/7c on ABC.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.
TELL US – ARE YOU SHOCKED TO SEE THESE EVENTS AFTER THE COUPLE PREVIOUSLY SEEMED SO HAPPY?
