During the season 33 premiere of the show, Gleb Savchenko has broken his silence on the recent arrest and legal woes of his 'Dancing with the Stars' pro friend Artem Chigvintsev.
- September 18, 2024
AceShowbiz - Gleb Savchenko has come to the defense of his close friend and fellow "[r=Dancing with the Stars]" professional, Artem Chigvintsev, after Chigvintsev's arrest for felony domestic violence.
During the season 33 premiere of the show on Tuesday, September 17, Savchenko spoke highly of Chigvintsev, despite not directly addressing his legal troubles. The two dancers have been close since Chigvintsev joined the show full-time in 2014.
Savchenko praised Chigvintsev's exceptional dancing abilities, highlighting his quality over quantity approach and ability to create stunning routines. He confirmed that they communicate frequently and that he considers Chigvintsev a brother.
"He's just my brother and I send him love and positivity," Savchenko said.
Chigvintsev's arrest stems from an alleged altercation with his now-estranged wife Nikki Garcia (Nikki Bella) at their Napa, California home on August 29. Following the incident, Garcia filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
In response to Garcia's filing, Chigvintsev filed for divorce last Friday, also citing irreconcilable differences. He requested joint legal and physical custody of their four-year-old son, Matteo.
Sources close to Chigvintsev claim he is determined to prove himself a changed man to Garcia, particularly in light of being dropped from the upcoming season of "Dancing with the Stars".
"He's in the fight of his life to clear his name and win back Nikki," the source said.
Savchenko's show of support comes as Chigvintsev faces a court appearance on Tuesday in Napa over the domestic violence incident. He is reportedly prohibited from leaving Napa County until the case is resolved.
