Additional Coverage:
- Artem Chigvintsev Removes Wife Nikki Garcia From Instagram Bio After Domestic Violence Arrest (newsbreak.com)
Local “Dancing With the Stars” professional Artem Chigvintsev appears to have removed his wife Nikki Garcia’s name from his Instagram bio following his recent arrest for domestic violence. Artem, 42, had previously included Nikki’s Instagram link along with bride and diamond ring emojis in his bio. As of Friday, September 6, his bio now just mentions his roles as a father, DWTS pro dancer, Emmy-nominated choreographer, and winner of the DWTS Mirror Ball.
Artem was arrested on August 29 in Napa County, California. Napa Valley Sheriff PIO Henry Wofford confirmed that deputies responded to a call in Yountville, California, around 10 a.m., where they encountered Artem.
The victim was spoken to, and Artem was arrested without incident, booked around 10:40 a.m., and later released on a $25,000 bail that afternoon. The police have not confirmed the victim’s identity, who requested confidentiality.
Authorities indicated that his arrest was for felony domestic violence, meaning a visible injury was present.
A 911 call obtained by TMZ reveals Artem called for medical help, claiming Nikki threw shoes at him. However, he attempted to cancel the call minutes later, stating no medical assistance was needed. Nikki, 40, broke her silence the next day, requesting privacy for her family through a representative.
The Napa County District Attorney is currently reviewing the case before Artem’s arraignment scheduled for November 4, examining witness statements, footage, and police evidence before deciding on charges.
Artem and Nikki met on “Dancing With the Stars” Season 25 in 2017 and confirmed their relationship in 2019 following Nikki’s breakup with John Cena. They married in August 2022 and share a son, Matteo, born in July 2020. The couple recently celebrated their anniversary, sharing heartfelt posts on social media just days before Artem’s arrest.