Artem Chigvintsev has issued a poignant response to the divorce petition filed by his estranged wife, Nikki Garcia, imbuing their separation with a poignant backdrop. The 42-year-old Dancing With the Stars pro, in documents exclusively obtained by Us Weekly on September 13th, cited irretrievable differences as the cornerstone of their parting from Garcia, 40, and pinpointed August 29th as the fateful day of their separation—coinciding with his arrest for domestic violence in Napa Valley, California.
Amidst the emotional turmoil, Chigvintsev fervently seeks joint legal and physical custody of their cherished 4-year-old son, Matteo, while Garcia stands firm in her request for sole guardianship. Furthermore, the dancer has requested spousal support from Garcia, along with compensation for legal fees and expenses, painting a complex picture of their unraveling union.
Intriguingly, Chigvintsev's response also asserts a putative spouse status from August 26, 2022, to January 19, 2023, hinting at a legal grey area in their marriage, which was initially solemnized in France in August 2022 but allegedly formalized in the US months later.
This development follows hot on the heels of Garcia's own filing, mere days prior, as confirmed by Us Weekly, casting a somber light on the once-blissful union that blossomed on the dance floor of DWTS season 25 in 2017. Amidst Garcia's then-relationship with John Cena, the spark between her and Chigvintsev ignited, eventually blossoming into romance post-Cena in 2019.
Their whirlwind romance culminated in an engagement announcement in January 2020, swiftly followed by the arrival of their beloved son, Matteo, in July of the same year. The couple's love story culminated in a televised wedding ceremony on E! in 2022, leaving many to ponder the veracity of their legal union a year later.
Garcia herself addressed the lingering doubts in January 2023, reassuring fans, "We're legally married in France and in the United States." Yet, the recent turn of events, including Chigvintsev's arrest for domestic battery just weeks ago, has cast a palpable shadow over their once-enviable partnership.
The 911 dispatch recording, unearthed by TMZ, reveals a harrowing account of Chigvintsev seeking medical aid while accusing Garcia, a former WWE wrestler known as Nikki Bella, of throwing shoes at him. The call was later retracted, adding yet another layer of complexity to their unraveling narrative.
From the glitz and glamour of their televised wedding to the harsh reality of a contentious divorce, the story of Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of love and its many twists and turns.
