Nikki Garcia Seen Without Wedding Ring After Artem Chigvintsev’s Arrest

Following the recent domestic violence arrest of her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, former WWE star Nikki Garcia was observed without her wedding ring as she left Oakland. Garcia, smiling and wearing a low-brimmed hat, was seen boarding a private plane with a female friend. It is believed she was heading to Las Vegas to co-host Netflix’s live culinary event, Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, scheduled for Monday, as reported by TMZ.

This public appearance came after a tumultuous week for the couple. On Thursday morning, Chigvintsev was arrested in Napa, California, on charges of felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. The incident began when Chigvintsev dialed 911 requesting medical assistance, only to later retract the call. During the conversation, he alleged that Garcia had thrown footwear at him.

Authorities arrived at the scene about an hour after the initial call, even though the couple was physically separated at the time of the emergency dispatch. Chigvintsev was taken into custody but was later released after posting a $25,000 bail.

For those familiar with the couple’s dynamics, the arrest didn’t come as a complete surprise. Insiders close to Garcia and Chigvintsev have described their relationship as “volatile” for some time. Sources informed TMZ that while the arrest was “shocking,” it wasn’t entirely unexpected given the rocky nature of their union.

The couple’s relationship began in 2017 when they met on the set of Dancing With The Stars. They married in 2022 and share a 4-year-old son, Matteo Artemovich. Just days before the arrest, Garcia had celebrated their anniversary on Instagram, sharing a heartfelt message along with a video set to “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”

“This song encapsulates our love story. I vividly recall the moment I sought guidance about Artem from Jesus, engaging in a conversation with Him and God. My emotions seemed premature, and everything appeared to be unfolding too rapidly,” Garcia wrote. “Then this melody began playing, and I realized I was falling for him, and it was all destined to be.”

However, beneath these public displays of affection, the couple has faced significant challenges. In 2020, Garcia revealed on The Bellas Podcast that Chigvintsev had battled depression after being cut from Dancing With The Stars.

“The past year proved immensely challenging for him and strained our relationship. Artem was grappling with depression,” she disclosed, according to USA Today. “Being cut from the show deeply affected him, and he struggled to move past it. Just as he secured a new opportunity before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he lost it, reigniting his depression about not being part of ‘Dancing With The Stars.'”

The couple’s relationship has experienced numerous ups and downs since its inception. They’ve openly discussed seeking couples therapy to address communication issues, especially concerning the way Chigvintsev spoke to Garcia, according to The Blast.

In light of recent events, former Dancing With The Stars colleague Cheryl Burke expressed her disbelief. “The concepts of domestic violence and Artem don’t align in my mind,” Burke stated via the outlet. “Artem is someone I’ve known for years; we even shared a home with my family in the Bay Area. This news is emotionally challenging for me because he’s family, and I’m at a loss for words. I simply hope everyone involved is okay.”

As the legal proceedings continue, the Napa County Sheriff’s Department has released Chigvintsev’s mugshot and provided details about the domestic violence call they received from Yountville at approximately 10 a.m. on the day of the incident. Deputies responded promptly and arrested Chigvintsev, who “did not resist arrest.” He was taken to Napa County Jail on suspicion of domestic violence before being released on bail.

The presence of a child during the incident, presumably their son Matteo, adds another layer to the situation. Given Garcia’s previous statements about motherhood, she remarked to People Magazine, “It’s a lifelong dream of mine.” She continued, “I can’t fathom a life without being a mother and experiencing the miracle of life and raising a child. My family-oriented nature makes it impossible to imagine not having that family life.”

Source: TMZ, USA Today, The Blast, People Magazine