Nikki and Artem’s Divorce Settlement Reveals Alarming Details and Hidden Tensions

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Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev’s divorce comes with a price tag.

As outlined in their 2024 agreement, the former Total Bellas cast member, previously known by her WWE stage name Nikki Bella, is obligated to pay her Dancing With the Stars partner $3,500 each month for the upkeep of their son Matteo, who is 4 years old. This information was reported by TMZ on May 15th, according to court documents.

In the meantime, following their separation, they were instructed to share the expense of Matteo’s after-school activities. Regarding Matteo’s custody, according to reports, Nikki and Artem intend to alternate major holidays spent together, trading off each year.

Moreover, Nikki was instructed to make two large payments of $100,000 each – one immediately and the second by the end of this year. The report stated further that this settlement arrangement permits her to keep control over her trusts.

TopMob has reached out to Nikki and Artem’s lawyers for comment and has not heard back.

Meanwhile, the wrestling star is being particularly careful when discussing the situation with Matteo. According to her interview with Us Weekly published on January 28th, she has only mentioned divorce when he has asked about it. Essentially, everything has been about them having separate homes. You can go visit Mommy and you can go see Daddy.

Back in November, Nikki’s representative confirmed that the previous couple had agreed on a divorce settlement, which came about two months after they separated. This announcement was made shortly after Artem faced accusations of felony domestic violence stemming from an incident at their house in Northern California. However, since there was insufficient evidence, the prosecutors chose not to pursue the charge.

The dancer who claimed in legal papers that he suffered a $100,000 loss in earnings because of the arrest, expressed that the event had “wrecked everything” for him, particularly his reputation, and recalled seeing his mugshot on the cover of a magazine during a shopping trip to Target.

In conversation on the Glamourous Grind podcast on February 18th, he stated, “When someone views that mug shot, they tend to assume instant guilt.

Back in 2024, when that devastating arrest hit the headlines, I couldn’t help but feel my heart sink. It was reported far and wide that Artem, a star on Dancing With the Stars, wouldn’t be gracing our screens for its 33rd season, which unfolded towards the end of that year. The domestic violence charge had cast such a dark shadow over his career.

After appearing on 12 seasons of the program, the 42-year-old individual is now embarking on a fresh path in construction. He expressed on a podcast that this new venture boosts his confidence about the years ahead.

Read on for more about the Nikki and Artem’s 2024 confrontation and his arrest.

Artem Chigvintsev was apprehended just before 10 a.m. on August 29th, as confirmed by Henry Wofford, the spokesperson for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, to TopMob News.

Wofford stated that Chigvintsev, who is known for his work on Dancing With the Stars, did not resist and was subsequently transferred to the Napa County Department of Corrections. The authorities booked him on a felony domestic violence charge, with bail set at $25,000 according to online records.

The court granted bail for the dance professional, who was subsequently freed from detention at 2:18 in the afternoon on August 29th. Wofford verified this information to TopMob News, though a specific court date hasn’t been set yet.

In the interview with NBC News, Wofford confirmed that Chigvintsev was arrested in Yountville, California, but did not disclose the specific location due to a request for privacy from the alleged victim. This request has also led to the sheriff withholding details such as the name, gender, age, and relationship of the alleged victim to Chigvintsev. However, Wofford provided some information about the arrest, stating that it was based on felony domestic violence charges due to visible injuries or credible eyewitnesses. He also added that more evidence might alter this charge, but at the time of the arrest, the deputies felt it was a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Wofford also explained that victims may choose to keep personal information private for reasons such as embarrassment, fear, or concern about family impact, and it’s crucial to provide them with ample time and support to help them understand they can rely on assistance.

According to an audio clip published by TMZ on August 30th, a 911 dispatcher reported that Chigvintsev had initially called for medical assistance following an alleged altercation involving thrown shoes. However, the dispatcher added that Chigvintsev later stated he no longer required medical attention. Despite this, Wofford explained that authorities still conducted a welfare check to ensure safety in cases of domestic violence. He said, “Even if someone says, ‘You don’t need to come anymore,’ we will still carry out a welfare check. We won’t just stop what we’re doing.

As of August 30th, Chigvintsev remains silent about the arrest or 911 incident, with no public statement made thus far. Our team at TopMob News has attempted to get a comment from his representative, but we are still awaiting a response.

Chigvintsev was arrested just under three weeks before the start of Dancing With the Stars season 33. Interestingly, despite being a past Mirrorball winner and participating in 12 seasons of the show, he wasn’t slated for this particular season’s cast, according to Page Six and Variety. So far, ABC has not provided a comment on the matter when contacted by TopMob News.

As a loyal follower, I’d rephrase the given text as follows:

“I, speaking as Nikki Garcia’s representative, addressed the matter concerning Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest on August 30th to TopMob News. At this moment, we kindly request privacy for me, Nikki, and our family.”

This arrest took place just three days after Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev—parents of 4-year-old Matteo—celebrated their second wedding anniversary. On August 26th, the ballroom dancer wrote on Instagram: “Happy anniversary my love, I can’t imagine my life without you. You are my everything.”

In response, Nikki Garcia, a former WWE star, posted a heartfelt message on her account. She quoted the lyrics from Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and shared old footage of them in Paris, where they exchanged vows in 2022.

“This song captures our love story,” she wrote in the caption. “I’ll always remember the moment I asked Jesus about Artem. It all felt too fast, yet this song confirmed that I was falling in love with him and it was meant to be. Happy Anniversary @theartemc, I love you!”

Following the arrest of Chigvintsev, Cheryl Burke – a former professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars for 26 seasons who retired in 2022 – expressed her feelings about the situation. Given their shared history and past living arrangements, Burke stated on her podcast “Sex, Lies and Spray Tans” that she was left in “complete shock” by his arrest. She conveyed her sympathies to those affected, saying “My heart goes out to everyone involved.” Recording the episode on August 29, she added that it was particularly difficult for her because Chigvintsev was like family to her. She expressed hope that everyone would be okay and shared resources related to the incident in a clip of her podcast posted on TikTok.

On September 24, 2024, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced that her office would decline to press charges against Chigvintsev, after a comprehensive examination of the criminal investigation and a thoughtful assessment of the evidence presented to their office.

If you’re going through a difficult situation at home that involves violence, remember there is support out there for you. You can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-7233, or by texting START to 88788, or by visiting their website at https://www.thehotline.org/.

On September 25, 2024, Chigvintsev expressed deep relief and gratitude in an interview with TopMob News as the domestic violence charge against him was dismissed.

He confided, “These past times have been incredibly challenging for me,” but “I’m grateful that honesty has triumphed in the end.

In his statement, the dancer expressed optimism that he will achieve a shared parenting agreement with Garcia, who has filed for both legal and physical custody of their son Matteo in the divorce documents submitted on September 11.

Chigvintsev expressed his eagerness to leave this phase behind and concentrate more on what is genuinely important – continuing to be the finest father possible.

In response to reports from TMZ, it’s been said that Garcia sought and received a protective order against her ex, Chigvintsev, due to allegations made in a petition. Specifically, she claimed that he had tackled her on multiple occasions and held her down while their child was nearby.

Following the event that resulted in Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has chosen to submit a Temporary Protection Order against Domestic Violence. This move aims to ensure safety for herself and her child, as reported by her representatives to TMZ. Although Nikki asked the Napa District Attorney not to press charges against Artem in order to avoid imprisonment, it’s important that he is held responsible for his actions. For the sake of Nikki and her son’s wellbeing, necessary protective measures are essential.

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2025-05-16 22:47