Nikki Garcia is finally speaking out about her dramatic split, and let’s just say, she’s unbothered by the numbers.
On the May 22, 2025, episode of The Nikki & Brie Show podcast, which she co-hosts with her sister Brie, the former WWE champ opened up about her recent divorce settlement with ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev.
On May 16, court documents revealed that Nikki was ordered to pay Artem $3,500 a month in child support, plus a $200,000 lump sum as part of their divorce agreement. Addressing the settlement, Garcia shared,
“The divorce has nothing to do with what happened… Divorce is divorce. Divorce has to deal with the paper, the contract you signed during marriage, the day of marriage, whatever. So our settlement is what everyone saw. Yes, I had to give him $200,000”.
But instead of stressing over the payout, Nikki admitted she expected the amount to be way higher and was pleasantly surprised at how it turned out. She said,
“There’s a lot of different things that happen to make that number. I got a steal, I’m not gonna lie, which is crazy to say”.
Garcia went on to reveal the judge’s surprise at the unusual nature of their divorce, noting how rare it was for a woman to be the one paying the settlement. She recalled the judge telling her,
“This is the first time in all the years I’ve done this where a woman had to pay a man. You should be so damn proud that you built such an empire that someone wants a piece of it. Now let me tell you the learning lesson. If you ever get married again, promise me you will make them sign a prenup”.
Nikki Shuts Down Guilt Rumors After Divorce Settlement
Back in August 2024, Artem was arrested following allegations of domestic violence against Nikki. He was detained for several hours before being released on bail.
Speaking out about the backlash she received online, Nikki addressed the assumptions that she must be at fault simply because she was ordered to pay a settlement. She firmly stated,
“I haven’t lied… and I’m gonna just make that clear. I have not lied about one thing. I have been so damn honest from day one and that’s why, when everyone says she’s glowing, she’s so happy, it’s because I’ve lived in my truth”.
Concluding the conversation, the wrestler opened up about where things stand with her ex, whom she shares an almost five-year-old son, Matteo, with a surprisingly positive update, saying,
“Artem and I, right now, are in a great place. We co-parenting so amazing and it makes Matteo’s life so amazing. And I don’t want it any other way… Things in Matteo’s world right now [are] so great because Artem and I are so on the same page and I want that”.
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev first crossed paths on the set of Dancing with the Stars in late 2017. After dating for over three years, the pair tied the knot in August 2022.
However, their relationship took a turn in September 2024 when Nikki filed for divorce following an alleged domestic violence incident. The divorce was finalized just two months later.
Fans Remain Skeptical Of Garcia After Her Candid Confession
The internet isn’t buying Nikki’s side of the story. Many social media users remain unconvinced and continue to accuse her of lying about the circumstances of the divorce, even calling her out for allegedly damaging Artem’s reputation. Some such comments read,
“You’re not a perfect angel Nicole, you did bad stuff to him”.
“She was the problem and you tried to destroy that man’s name”.
“I mean she put her hands on the man then lied about it, then ruined his reputation”.
“The gaslighting in this video 🥴”
“He is a good man just married the wrong woman”.
“The original story was wrong… She tried to ruin his career and reputation… frankly, I wish he got more”.
“He deserves more than she’s paying him. She put hands on him and played victim”.
“Maybe you paid for ruining his reputation”.
“Nikki lies and never knows when to shut up?”
Despite her honesty, it’s clear Nikki’s truth isn’t convincing everyone. As the dust settles, one thing’s certain, this divorce saga is far from forgotten in the court of public opinion.