Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia, both prominent figures in the entertainment world, gained notoriety after their relationship blossomed on the set of Dancing with the Stars in 2017. The couple welcomed their son, Matteo, in 2020 and married in 2022.
However, their union has since been marred by controversy, particularly following a violent incident that occurred on August 29, 2024, leading to the arrest of Chigvintsev in Napa Valley on charges of corporal injury to a spouse, a felony that indicates the infliction of intentional harm. Following the incident, Garcia filed for divorce on September 11, believing the situation had become untenable for both herself and her son.
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The altercation that led to Chigvintsev’s arrest reportedly stemmed from a domestic dispute that escalated when Chigvintsev called the police, claiming Garcia had assaulted him by throwing a shoe during an argument. Though he later attempted to retract his statement, law enforcement arrived on the scene and arrested him.
Initially detained on felony charges, these charges were later dropped due to a lack of sufficient evidence to proceed, although the Napa District Attorney indicated that further action could be taken if more information came to light within three years.
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After the incident, both Chigvintsev and Garcia accused one another of aggression, illustrating the tensions that had developed over time. The couple’s shared history on Dancing with the Stars served as a stark contrast to the troubling events that transpired in their personal lives.
In light of the domestic violence allegations and following the developments in their relationship, both parties sought legal protection through restraining orders. A Napa County court granted mutual restraining orders against each other, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations. Garcia’s request for an order came after claiming that Chigvintsev had grown increasingly angry and aggressive since being cut from Dancing with the Stars.
Garcia claimed, according to the filing, that Chigvintsev had grown “increasingly angry” since he was cut from Dancing with the Stars, where the two met in 2017 when they were paired together on the 25th season of the ABC reality competition series. Though they had previously had discussions about his need to control his anger, the former WWE wrestler claims he snapped and yelled at her during a conversation about how Matteo’s English muffin should be toasted, with Chigvintsev alleging Garcia had made him a “picky eater.”
Chigvintsev, in his filing obtained by PEOPLE, noted that Garcia appeared stressed due to work. He alleged she “escalated the argument” by questioning how he was packing Matteo’s lunchbox and criticizing him for not carrying equal weight of the parental responsibilities, which he said was “absolutely false.” When he left the room to “let her cool down” and get Matteo ready to leave, Garcia followed and continued to lob complaints his way. He insisted his “calm” responses drove her crazy until she “completely lost it,” screaming “‘get the f— out of my house'” and “forcefully throwing both of Matteo’s sneakers at me.”
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Both individuals have provided conflicting accounts regarding the altercation. While they accused each other of being the aggressor, the court’s decision to issue restraining orders indicates recognition of the situation’s complexity. Chigvintsev and Garcia’s assertions about one another’s behavior in the moments leading up to the incident are marked by claims of each having felt threatened or unfairly targeted.
With both the restraining orders established and the divorce proceedings underway, the future of Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia remains uncertain. Each seeks primary custody of their son Matteo, with Garcia leaning toward establishing herself as the main custodian. Chigvintsev has countered by asking for joint custody, emphasizing his commitment to co-parenting despite the turbulent circumstances.
Everyone deserves a relationship free from domestic violence. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours per day. You can call (800) 799-7233, visit the website for a confidential chat, or text BEGIN to 88788.
