Artem Chigvintsev Says Nikki Garcia Breakup Was “Inevitable”

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Artem Chigvintsev is sharing his thoughts on a recent week that he says dramatically altered his life, ultimately leading to his divorce from Nikki Garcia.

Almost two years after being arrested for domestic violence following an incident with his then-girlfriend, who starred on Total Bellas, and which ultimately ended their relationship, the Dancing With the Stars contestant called the whole experience a “bad dream.”

“I had to completely switch off me,” Artem told fellow dancer Peta Murgatroyd on the April 20 episode of her The Penthouse With Peta podcast. “There was no way of processing everything.”

He continued, “Looking back, I’m like, ‘Woah. I don’t know where I am right now.'”

Artem, who shares 5-year-old son Matteo with Nikki, said that if he could go back, he wouldn’t change anything, explaining his honest answer would be ‘no’.

He said it was bound to happen, believing everything unfolds as it should. He felt this particular experience was necessary for him to reach his ultimate destination.

She explained that she wouldn’t have ended the relationship on her own, saying her upbringing would have prevented her from doing so.

TopMob News has reached out to Nikki’s rep for comment but hasn’t heard back.

Nikki filed for divorce in September 2024, just weeks after police responded to a domestic disturbance call at her and Artem’s home in Napa, California. Court documents obtained by TopMob News reveal the WWE wrestler claimed Artem attacked her during a disagreement about breakfast. She admitted to throwing their son’s shoes at him in the heat of the moment, calling it a brief mistake.

Artem, who had just celebrated his two-year wedding anniversary with the reality star, responded to Nikki’s claims by stating she was the one who started the fight. He made this claim in a court document of his own. The Napa County District Attorney decided not to press charges against Artem, and the couple’s divorce was completed in 2025.

Artem reflected that Matteo was a major factor in helping them stay together longer, although he still feels it’s important for their son to have both parents involved in his life.

He explained he wants his child to grow up experiencing a complete family unit. He believes people often end relationships too quickly these days, and that this impacts children.

For now, he and Nikki are co-parenting Matteo together.

Nikki recently praised Artem for being so flexible with her busy schedule, sharing on Sirius XM’s The Nikki and Brie Show that he’s been incredible at adapting. She also mentioned that she connects with Matteo even more, describing him as amazing as well.

She added, “We’ve adapted well and Matteo’s thriving.”

For more celebrity exes getting candid about co-parenting, read on.

Despite ending their romantic relationship in 2023, the Grammy-winning musician and their Swedish-Syrian partner still work together to raise their children, Lucia and Renn.

Jwan described their relationship with their ex-partner as truly wonderful in a September 2025 interview with Attitude. They’ve established a peaceful and stable co-parenting arrangement, living just ten minutes apart and staying in regular contact, speaking every other day. Their children are their top priority, and they share a deep love for them.

He described it as more than just an experience, calling it a truly wonderful way of life.

Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green, parents to Noah, Bodhi, and Journey, prioritize their children’s well-being as they navigate co-parenting. Brian emphasized in April 2024 that everything should revolve around the kids’ experience, acknowledging that a breakup will inevitably affect them, but the way it affects them is within their control. He believes it’s crucial to choose your battles, recognizing that disagreements led to the separation in the first place, and co-parenting requires a different approach than being a couple.

Megan, whose divorce from Brian was finalized in 2022, agrees wholeheartedly. She shared on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2023 that it’s vital to never speak negatively about the other parent, even subtly. She strives to create a positive environment for her children, understanding that accepting and loving their father is essential because he is a fundamental part of who they are.

Josh Duhamel and Fergie are proving that love and respect can still thrive even after divorce, especially when it comes to co-parenting. Duhamel recently shared on The Jess Cagle Show how amazing Fergie has been, particularly in welcoming his wife, Audra Mari, into the family. He emphasized how fortunate he is, noting things could easily be more difficult.

Fergie was reportedly thrilled when Josh and Audra announced they were expecting their son, Shepherd, who was born in January 2024. Shepherd joins big brother Axl, Josh’s son with Fergie.

Josh praised Fergie’s kind heart, saying she genuinely loves Audra and is incredibly excited for them. He added that their divorce, finalized in 2019 after a two-year separation, has been handled with civility, and he’s grateful for the positive dynamic they’ve maintained.

Irina Shayk, who has a daughter named Lea with her ex-partner Bradley Cooper, doesn’t like the idea of ‘co-parenting.’ In a 2021 interview with ELLE, she explained that when she’s with Lea, she’s fully a mother, and when Lea is with Bradley, he’s fully her father. She believes parenting is simply parenting, regardless of relationship status.

Even though Irina and Bradley ended their four-year relationship in 2019, they’ve remained friendly. Despite their busy lives, they continue to take family vacations, spend time together in New York, and support each other.

In a 2023 interview, Irina shared, ‘He’s the best father Lea and I could dream of. It always works because we make it work.’

As Mariah Carey has observed, building a strong relationship takes time, and that’s true for co-parenting as well. Nick Cannon, who shares twins Moroccan and Monroe with Carey, says they’ve found a good routine.

Cannon described their relationship as a successful co-parenting partnership and a genuine friendship, noting Carey has taught him a lot and that’s what family is about. Carey also seems pleased with how well they’ve navigated co-parenting since their split and divorce in 2014.

She told Harper’s Bazaar that her children enjoy spending time with both parents, and she’s committed to being fair to them, understanding the challenges of having divorced parents.

In addition to Moroccan and Monroe, Nick Cannon has several other children: Zion and Mixolydian, Zillion Heir and Beautiful Zeppelin with Abby De La Rosa; Golden “Sagon,” Powerful Queen and Rise Messiah with Brittany Bell; Legendary Love with Bre Tiesi; Onyx Ice with LaNisha Cole; and Halo Marie and the late Zen with Alyssa Scott.

It’s impossible to talk about amicable breakups without mentioning Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. The Oscar-winning actress and the Coldplay singer famously coined the term “consciously uncoupling” when they announced their separation in 2014.

On The Drew Barrymore Show in 2020, Gwyneth explained that prioritizing their children, Apple and Moses, was challenging. “Some days, you really don’t want to be with the person you’re divorcing,” she said. “But if you’re committed to having family dinner, you do it. You take a deep breath, make eye contact, remember your agreement, smile, hug, and try to foster a new kind of relationship.”

The Goop founder emphasized that she and Martin will always remain a family, acknowledging that it isn’t always easy. “Some days are better than others,” she said. “But we’re working towards the same goal: unity, love, and what’s best for the kids. Just because you break up doesn’t mean you stop loving the qualities you once cherished in that person.”

Following their divorce in 2022, Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady have been navigating the challenges of co-parenting. Gisele admitted in a 2024 interview with Robin Roberts that some days are harder than others, but their children, Benjamin and Vivian, are smart and adaptable. She focuses on controlling her own actions and allowing her kids to navigate their own boundaries. She emphasized that finding balance is key, with both she and Tom spending quality time with their children, exposing them to different perspectives and enriching their lives. Tom echoed this sentiment, explaining that they are both committed to raising their children – including Jack, from his previous relationship with Bridget Moynahan – with love, kindness, empathy, and strong values, recognizing that today’s children are growing up in a different world.

Ben Affleck, having played a superhero himself, recognizes one in real life, and that includes his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. They share three children: Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. Affleck has praised Garner as a ‘superhero mom,’ calling her an amazing mother and expressing gratitude for their successful co-parenting relationship. They prioritize their children’s well-being and work together to provide for them. Jennifer Lopez, who married Affleck in 2022 before filing for divorce in 2024, also acknowledged Garner’s excellent co-parenting skills, noting that she and Affleck work well together as parents.

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik broke up in 2021, but they’ve successfully continued to co-parent their daughter, Khai. Zayn shared in a 2023 interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast that they have a strong relationship focused on Khai’s well-being, saying, “It’s going well.” Gigi told The Sunday Times that the key to co-parenting is prioritizing your child’s happiness, as you’ll be interacting with your co-parent for many years. She added that she’s happy Khai gets to spend time with both of her parents.

Khloe Kardashian is committed to co-parenting with her ex, Tristan Thompson, despite past difficulties. She admits it’s challenging to be cordial with someone who has hurt her, especially when their children, True and Tatum Thompson, are present. In an interview with tmrw in January 2024, she explained that she had to learn to manage her emotions to avoid impulsive reactions she might later regret. Ultimately, Khloe prioritizes her children having a strong relationship with their father. She believes that if Tristan wants to be an involved and hands-on parent – as he also is to his other children, Prince with Jordan Craig and Theo with Maralee Nichols – she wouldn’t want to stand in the way of that.

Although Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr separated in 2013, they continue to successfully co-parent their son, Flynn. This includes a positive relationship with both of their current partners: Katy Perry, Orlando’s partner, and Evan Spiegel, Miranda’s husband.

Miranda has spoken warmly of Katy, expressing her happiness that Orlando found love again, as Flynn’s happiness is her top priority. She’s also grateful to have found her own happiness with Evan.

Despite busy schedules and growing families – Orlando and Katy now have a daughter, Daisy Dove, and Miranda and Evan share three sons, Hart, Myles, and Pierre – they all make an effort to come together for important occasions. They prioritize Flynn’s well-being and work out compromises to ensure the best possible family dynamic for everyone involved.

Kate Hudson believes it’s important to maintain positive relationships with her exes, Chris Robinson and Matt Bellamy, unlike letting a friendship wither. She explained to The Sunday Times in 2022 that she and Chris simply check in with each other periodically, especially as they co-parent their son, Ryder. As for Matt, father to her son Bingham, she considers him a fantastic co-parent. She believes that love doesn’t simply disappear after a relationship ends, and it can evolve into a different, but still meaningful, connection. She finds it rewarding to focus on the shared love for their child when spending time with an ex. Kate is also a mother to daughter Rani, with fiancé Danny Fujikawa. While her family structure may not be conventional, she feels incredibly strong and fulfilled. She’s proud of the close-knit family she’s built with her three children and their different fathers, calling it a ‘seriously strong unit’.

It can be challenging for divorced parents to get along, but Anna Faris says her relationship with her ex-husband Chris Pratt, his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, and their children is improving. Faris, who shares a son named Jack with Pratt, told People magazine in 2022 that everyone is becoming closer, and she really appreciates that. She feels both families are protective of each other and values their support.

Faris described Schwarzenegger, who also has children with Pratt, as “awesome” and praised her for being very organized and great with Jack. She’s now happily married to Michael Barrett and feels things are much smoother as time has passed, saying it’s a relief to have moved past any difficult feelings. Ultimately, she’s pleased with how their blended family is working together.

It’s helpful when co-parents agree on things, and Mel B says it took her and Eddie Murphy some time to build that kind of connection.

Looking back, it was really tough for me to fully open up and build a strong relationship with Eddie when I was dealing with PTSD and controlling behavior. It took time, but I slowly started to be able to. Thankfully, things have really improved in recent years, and we’ve actually become great friends. My daughter Angel and Eddie have a wonderful bond – she visits often, they enjoy holidays together, and he’s a fantastic father to all ten of his children. It’s so heartwarming to see.

Even though the TV show The O.C. was known for its drama, Rachel Bilson and her ex, Hayden Christensen, have a positive co-parenting relationship. Bilson told People magazine in 2024 that things are going well and their daughter, Briar Rose, is thriving with lots of support from both parents and others around her.

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2026-04-22 23:26