Artem Chigvintsev is opening up about the personal and professional fallout following his high-profile split from Nikki Garcia.
The former “Dancing With the Stars” pro described the rapid collapse of his marriage and career as a surreal experience that forced him into a state of survival.
Chigvintsev and Garcia tied the knot in 2022 and got divorced in 2024, after welcoming their son, Matteo.
Artem Chigvintsev Reflects On The ‘Bad Dream’ That Led To Survival Mode
Chigvintsev was arrested in 2024 for alleged corporal injury to a spouse and subsequently dropped from “Dancing with the Stars” after nine seasons. Although he did not face domestic violence charges, the impact was immediate, leading his wife of two years, Garcia, to file for divorce just one month later.
Speaking on a recent episode of “The Penthouse With Peta” podcast, the dancer described the period as a “bad dream” that left him in survival mode, unable to fully process the loss of both his career and his marriage at once.
Despite the pain of the transition, Chigvintsev admitted to hosts Peta Murgatroyd and Sharna Burgess that the dramatic split “needed to happen” to end what he characterized as an “unhealthy” marriage, per Entertainment Weekly.
He confessed that because of his upbringing and his parents’ long marriage, he likely would never have initiated the separation himself, preferring to work through issues. He further revealed he was willing to “sacrifice” his own happiness to keep both parents present for their five-year-old son, Matteo.
What Nikki Garcia Said About Her Marital Issues With Artem Chigvintsev
Chigvintsev’s statements came over a year after Garcia shared her own side of the story on why her marriage to the dancer came to an end.
During a podcast session in December 2024, Garcia reflected on the emotional patterns that defined her past year and likely contributed to the end of her marriage.
As reported by The Blast, the 42-year-old shared that she has spent time researching the “divine feminine,” a concept that helped her realize she does not have a responsibility to fix, change, or improve the people in her life.
She admitted that it took her over four decades to understand that while she can offer support, she cannot be the one to solve someone else’s deeply ingrained issues.
“We aren’t here to fix other people, we just aren’t,” she explained, emphasizing that her role is to lead by example and nurture her children rather than trying to repair her partner.
The “Total Bellas” alum further encouraged her listeners to recognize these “fixing” patterns early and to set boundaries before they lead to emotional exhaustion.
Nikki Garcia Previously Praised Her Co-Parenting Relationship With Artem Chigvintsev
As Garcia and Chigvintsev seemed to accept the necessity of the end of their marriage, the two were also able to find a balance in their co-parenting relationship.
In September, the 42-year-old television personality revealed that she and her former husband have managed to build a surprisingly strong co-parenting dynamic despite their dramatic divorce.
Garcia credited this newfound stability for allowing her to return to her professional wrestling roots, per The Blast.
The former “Total Bellas” star openly appreciated how Chigvintsev adapted to her demanding professional schedule. She shared that he has been “amazing” at coordinating their time with four-year-old Matteo, even allowing her to have extra time with their son to accommodate her weekly travel.
Not long after gushing about her great co-parenting relationship with Chigvintsev, Garcia sparked dating rumors when she was spotted with Cooper DeJean.
The 42-year-old WWE star shared a festive Instagram reel documenting her trip to an Eagles game, where she was seen smiling broadly while posing in front of the 22-year-old athlete’s locker. The video also featured a moment from a post-game celebration at a local bar, where the pair were spotted looking cozy together.
Garcia captioned the post by expressing how “blessed” she feels for the new and old friends who make her life special, specifically thanking the city of Philadelphia for its hospitality.
According to The Blast, Garcia and DeJean follow each other on social media and frequently exchange likes and comments on their respective posts.
Nikki Garcia Denied The Romance Rumors
Despite the buzz surrounding Garcia and DeJean, the wrestler seemingly downplayed the romance rumors. On an episode of her podcast, “The Nikki & Brie Show,” Garcia confirmed that she hasn’t been intimate with anyone in a “really long time.”
“It’s crazy because I actually haven’t been touched or done anything in so long,” Garcia told her sister, Brie, per The Blast.
She expressed frustration with the public narrative, finding it ironic that she has faced harsh labels when she has actually been avoiding intimacy.