TW: This article contains discussions of alleged domestic violence in which a child was present.
Nikki Garcia’s identical twin, Brie Garcia, will always be in her sister’s corner. Following the recent domestic violence arrest of Nikki’s husband, Artem Chigvintsev, Brie reportedly urged her sister to end the relationship.
“Brie encouraged Nikki to leave the marriage,” a source explained. “Any sort of violence does not fly, and they were very worried about Nikki and her son.” Artem and Nikki share four-year-old Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev.
Nikki and Brie Garcia talked after Artem’s arrest
Nikki and the Dancing with the Stars alum currently are “not living under the same roof,” added the source while talking to ET, as the former Total Bellas star remains “scared and rattled” by the incident.
On August 29, Artem was arrested and taken to Napa County Jail following an argument that turned physical. He was released on $25,000 bail later that day.
Nikki wasted no time seeking legal advice following the incident and has reportedly already filed for divorce from her husband of two years. The former WWE wrestler petitioned the court for full legal and physical custody of Matteo with Artem allowed visitation rights. She also requested any spousal support be terminated.
For his part, Artem requested spousal support. Nikki has an estimated net worth of $8 million, while the professional dancer has an estimated net worth of $6 million. But in California, “an abuser may be disqualified from receiving alimony from their victim if there’s a documented conviction for violence,” it was reported.
Nevertheless, Artem is asking for joint legal and physical custody of their son. He also wants Nikki to pay his legal expenses.
Close friends and family of the couple aren’t completely shocked by the news, saying that their relationship has always been “volatile.” In fact, some have gone so far as to call Artem “a monster.”
The couple tied the knot in Paris in August 2022, celebrating their second wedding anniversary only days before the altercation.
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 – WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THE SEEMINGLY ABRUPT END TO NIKKI AND ARTEM’S MARRIAGE? DO YOU THINK ARTEM WILL BE CONVICTED?
