Artem Chigvintsev recently opened up about the breakdown of his marriage, sharing surprising details about his separation from ex-wife Nikki Garcia.
During a candid video interview on the Glamorous Grind podcast, which aired on February 18, 2025, the professional dancer reflected on the struggles he faced after finalizing his divorce from Nikki in late 2024.
Speaking with hosts Ilona and Mila, Artem opened up about the emotional toll of his ex-wife’s domestic violence charges—a scandal that, according to him, completely upended his life. He revealed,
“It completely ruined everything for me. From every angle, it ruined my life completely”.
However, Artem made it clear that the accusations and marital turmoil weren’t even the hardest part. In a surprising revelation, he shared what he found to be the most devastating aspect of the entire ordeal, saying,
“The worst part of all of this was because the [district attorney] dropped the case, clearly stating there was nothing they could possibly have charged me on. [But for] people, in their minds you are immediately guilty. There is nothing you can say or try to justify yourself to change their minds”.
Artem Opens Up About His Quick Divorce Settlement With Nikki
After a brief two-month long legal battle, Nikki and Artem officially finalized their divorce on November 20, 2024. Addressing the surprisingly swift settlement, the Dancing With the Stars alum shared,
“I wanted it to be over. I needed to go back to live my life and I needed to move on—emotionally, financially—and I just wanted my life to be normal again”.
However, he then made a surprising revelation that ending the marriage was never his plan. Reflecting on his efforts to keep their marriage intact, he admitted,
“I didn’t stop loving a person that day and then decided to get a divorce. It wasn’t my decision to get a divorce. Until the last minute I was still like, maybe we should do therapy, maybe we should try to figure something out”.
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev first crossed paths in late 2017. However, it wasn’t until January 2019 that their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship. The couple later welcomed their son, Matteo, in 2020.
After more than three years together, Nikki and Artem exchanged vows in an intimate and highly private ceremony in August 2022.
However, their love story took a shocking turn just days after celebrating their second wedding anniversary. On August 29, 2024, Artem was arrested following allegations of domestic violence against Nikki. He was detained for several hours before being released on bail.
The incident ultimately became the breaking point in their marriage, leading Garcia to file for divorce on September 13, 2024.
Fans Rally Behind Artem Chigvintsev Following His Divorce Confession
Following Artem’s emotional revelations about his divorce, fans took to social media to express their sympathy and unwavering support for the dancer. Many praised him for finally speaking his truth after months of speculation.
Some such comments online read,
“What a relief for Artem to finally be able to express himself, instead of keeping it bottled up”.
“Love him!!!!! I always knew Nikki was not a good match for him. He will find his soulmate for sure!!!”
“I’m so excited to finally hear his side. His voice deserves to be heard”.
As Artem Chigvintsev steps into a new chapter of his life, his fans continue to rally behind him, proving that his story is far from over.
With his truth finally out in the open, only time will tell what’s next for the beloved dancer—but one thing is certain: he’s not facing it alone.