Just two weeks following Artem's shocking arrest, the former WWE star filed for divorce from the 'Dancing with the Stars' pro dancer after two years of marriage.
- Sep 12, 2024
AceShowbiz - Nikki Garcia (Nikki Bella) is calling it quits with Artem Chigvintsev. On Wednesday, September 11, the former WWE star filed for divorce from the "Dancing with the Stars" pro dancer after two years of marriage.
According to court documents, Nikki filed the paperwork in Napa Valley, California. No other details have emerged about the split of the couple, who shares son Matheo together.
The divorce filing came almost two weeks after Artem was arrested on charge of corporal injury to a spouse. He was booked in the Napa County Jail and given a $25,000 bail before being released in less than an hour.
Nikki wasn't mentioned in the documents, but the 911 call about the incident obtained by TMZ named her. The dispatcher could be heard saying that Nikki allegedly threw shoes at Artem during the argument. Another report additionally claimed that Nikki started looking for a divorce lawyer the day after Artem allegedly attacked her at home in Napa Valley.
Her rep, on the other hand, refused to give details. "This is a private matter and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time," the rep told PEOPLE.
Meanwhile, Nikki made her first public appearance following Artem's arrest at Netflix's Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, a live hot dog eating competition she co-hosted with Rob Riggle on September 2. She was spotted without her wedding ring during the sighting.
The incident was a shock to everyone as it happened just two days after the couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary with sweet messages on Instagram. "Happy anniversary my love, can't see my life with out you," Artem wrote on Instagram alongside photos from their wedding day. "You are my everything [heart emoji]."
As for Nikki, the 40-year-old reflected on their love story by sharing the lyrics to Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love". "This song is our love story," she elaborated. "I'll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that's when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be."
