TW: This article contains discussions of alleged domestic violence in which a child was present.
On Labor Day 2024, Nikki Garcia — formerly known as Nikki Bella, half of the Bella Twins pro wrestling team — officiated a hot dog eating contest in Las Vegas. When she walked onto the stage, the crowd erupted in a huge show of support.
“Thank you, everyone. I’m so happy to be here!” Nikki, in a bright red jumpsuit and a huge smile — but without her wedding ring — responded, “I love you too!”
She appreciated the encouragement. Just a few days earlier, on August 29, Nikki’s husband, Artem Chigvintsev, was arrested at their Napa Valley home and charged with domestic violence. Just two days prior, the couple had celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary.
Nikki Garcia “married a monster”
“Friends are telling Nikki she married a monster,” a source told Life & Style. “And she wants out.”
Nikkie’s rep added, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”
The Napa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that there was physical evidence leading to Artem’s arrest. “Felony domestic violence [is] not based on hearsay,” a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office said. “The deputies saw something … [Normally for officers to take action], there would be evidence of blood, sometimes scratches [or] bruises. It’s something visible where the deputies said, ‘OK, we’re making this arrest.’”
The spokesman added that Artem “was cooperative” and was released on $25,000 bail later that day.
Artem’s case has been turned over to prosecutors, and he’s scheduled for arraignment on November 4. According to the Napa County D.A.’s Office, “We are currently performing a thorough review of the facts and evidence.” Said evidence may include body cam footage, witness statements, photos, or anything else found during the investigation.
Nikki and Artem first met in 2017 when they partnered on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars, where they had an immediate connection. After Nikki ended her engagement to wrestler-turned-actor John Cena, they reconnected in 2019.
“In the beginning, Artem swept Nikki off her feet,” the source continued. “He was her dream man … But reality set in, and now Nikki doesn’t recognize him as the man she married.”
The couple married in Paris in 2022, but as far back as 2021, they attended couples therapy together.
Artem’s temper exposed
“[When he] gets really stressed, he doesn’t realize his tone,” Nikki told DWTS Season 29 winner Kaitlyn Bristowe on her podcast. Artem was “super strict” in rehearsal, to the point where she once called him “a d*ck.” Kaitlyn had her own opinions about Artem.
“Sometimes I’d be like, ‘Is he mad at me?’” Nikki continued. “It was hard.”
His “tone” wasn’t the only issue. “Artem [has] a temper. He’s a perfectionist, and that makes him impatient at times,” explains the source. “Nikki [said] it was because he was so passionate about his craft.”
But according to the source, their relationship was “volatile. He came across as angry to … many people, including his former partners and colleagues.”
In 2015, British TV host Fern Britton accused Artem of being abusive when they partnered in the UK version of DWTS, Strictly Come Dancing in 2012.
“He would look at my feet and just kick me or shove me,” Fern revealed in an interview. “He was like … ‘Go home before I kill you.’”
Denying her story, Artem responded, “I treated Fern with respect and genuine care. These claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am.”
Nikki’s twin sister, Brie Garcia, had concerns long before Artem’s arrest. “She worried about his temper [and] found his sometimes controlling behavior troubling,” explains the source. “[She worried] things might escalate.”
Artem reportedly wants to work things out for the sake of their 4-year-old son Matteo. But that’s unlikely since Nikki has already filed for divorce.
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 – DO YOU THINK ARTEM AND NIKKI ARE DONE?
