Artem Chigvintsev, a professional dancer on “Dancing With the Stars,” has publicly addressed the domestic violence charges he faced, which have since been dropped. Speaking for the first time on the matter, he expressed profound relief and gratitude in a statement to E! News, saying, “I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped. This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed.”
The 42-year-old father highlighted that his primary focus is on his son, Matteo, who is four years old and the child he shares with estranged wife Nikki Garcia, known as Nikki Bella. “He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life,” Chigvintsev emphasized. He also conveyed his commitment to providing Matteo with the necessary love and support as they navigate their future, expressing hope for an equal custody arrangement.
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Chigvintsev acknowledged his family, friends, and legal team for their unwavering support during this challenging period. “Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was,” he stated. He articulated a desire to move forward, focusing on being the best father possible.
On August 29, reports surfaced that Chigvintsev was arrested at his Napa, California home following a domestic violence incident. Emergency services responded to a call made around 8:30 a.m., but the call was canceled while authorities were en route. Upon arrival, they conducted a wellness check and discovered a victim with visible injuries, which led to Chigvintsev’s arrest on charges including corporal injury to a cohabitant or spouse. He was released the same day after posting bail.
While Nikki Garcia’s identity as the alleged victim has not been officially confirmed, details emerged that a violent argument occurred just prior to the 911 call, with their young son present during the incident. A divorce filing followed on September 11, in which Garcia sought full custody of Matteo.
On September 24, the Napa County District Attorney’s Office announced that Chigvintsev would not face charges after a thorough evaluation of the evidence. DA Allison Haley emphasized the office’s commitment to only filing charges when the evidence warrants it, adhering to the highest standards of proof in the justice system.
The couple, married in August 2022, initially crossed paths during the 25th season of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2019. Just days before the arrest, they had celebrated their second anniversary on social media, dedicating heartfelt messages to one another. Chigvintsev has previously faced allegations of abuse involving a dance partner, which he denied.
For those impacted by domestic violence, resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline are available at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting START to 88788.
