The esteemed professional dancer, Artem Chigvintsev, known for his graceful strides on ABC's iconic dance competition series, "Dancing With the Stars," has unexpectedly withdrawn from the upcoming 33rd season of the show amidst a shocking turn of events. On Thursday morning, Chigvintsev found himself behind bars, arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, casting a dark shadow over his illustrious career.
According to online jail records, the seasoned dancer's name was logged into the Napa County jail at precisely 10:40 a.m. Pacific Time, charged under California Penal Code 273.5(a), a felony that encompasses the willful infliction of bodily harm leading to traumatic injury upon a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé(e), or fellow parent. His release later in the afternoon was secured by posting a $25,000 bail, but the circumstances leading to his arrest and details surrounding the alleged victim remain shrouded in mystery, with law enforcement authorities tight-lipped on the matter.
Chigvintsev's personal life has been intertwined with the world of dance, as he tied the knot with WWE veteran Nikki Garcia in 2022, welcoming a son into their lives. Their love story blossomed when they were paired as dance partners on "Dancing With the Stars" in 2019, and just three days prior to his arrest, they joyously marked their anniversary on social media, sharing their happiness with the world.
Whether Garcia was embroiled in the incident remains unclear, with her representative issuing a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, pleading for privacy for her client and her family during this trying time, labeling it a "private matter."
Chigvintsev's dance journey spans across 12 seasons of "Dancing With the Stars," including his most recent appearance where he secured a commendable fourth place alongside Charity Lawson. Prior to his stint on the American show, he shone as a star on "Strictly Come Dancing," the British counterpart to the popular dance competition. However, it has been confirmed that he will not be gracing the dance floor for season 33 of "Dancing With the Stars," which premieres on September 17.
Requests for comments from Chigvintsev's representatives and the Napa County Sheriff's Office went unanswered at the time of publication.
[Updated on Aug. 30, 9:41 a.m. with a statement from Nikki Garcia's representative.]
