Artem Chigvintsev, a former Dancing with the Stars contestant, has shared how his life was upended following his arrest in August 2024 for domestic violence. The 42-year-old, who finalised his divorce with WWE star Nikki Garcia last year, revealed on The Glamorous Grind Podcast that the repercussions of his brief stint in jail continue to have a lasting impact on him. He expressed, “It completely ruined everything for me. From every angle, it ruined my life completely.”
Chigvintsev, who has a 4-year-old son named Matteo with Garcia, was taken into custody on Aug. 29, 2024, and charged with corporal injury to a spouse. Despite being released on a $25,000 bail, he asserted at the time that he was not the main instigator of the situation. The Napa County District Attorney, Allison Haley, later chose not to pursue criminal charges due to insufficient evidence to determine the primary aggressor in the altercation.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the case, Chigvintsev lamented the impact the public perception had on him after his mugshot was circulated online. He felt sidelined in various aspects of his life, including his professional opportunities, stating that people had already formed negative opinions about him. The dancer disclosed that he suffered a significant financial setback, losing over $100,000 in income following the incident.
Describing the toll that the legal proceedings took on him, Chigvintsev revealed that he decided to settle the divorce and drop the restraining order against Garcia, with her reciprocating the gesture by withdrawing her own restraining order. He expressed a sense of relief from a legal standpoint but acknowledged the emotional difficulty of ending a relationship that spanned seven years. Despite the challenges, he emphasised his desire to co-parent with Garcia and prioritise their son’s well-being.
Moving forward, Chigvintsev shared that he has transitioned to working in construction and is dedicated to being a hands-on parent to Matteo. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy in his life post-divorce. The former couple, who first met on the set of Dancing with the Stars in 2017, had tied the knot in 2022 after getting engaged in 2019. Chigvintsev expressed that the breakup marked a significant end to a relationship that was not an easy decision to make.
In conclusion, Chigvintsev’s candid reflections shed light on the far-reaching consequences of his brush with the law and the challenges he continues to face in rebuilding his life post-arrest. Despite the hardships, he remains focused on his role as a father and finding stability in his new reality. The story serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in navigating the aftermath of such publicised incidents and the resilience required to forge a new path forward.