DWTS' Artem Chigvintsev Breaks Silence on Domestic Violence Arrest and Nikki Garcia Divorce

Artem Chigvintsev is speaking out. 

The Dancing With the Stars alum—who was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence a month ago—broke his silence on the case after prosecutors declined to file charges.

"I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped," he said in a Sept. 25 statement to E! News. "This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed."

Artem—whose wife Nikki Garcia filed for divorce Sept. 11—shared that his "focus has always been and will always be" on their 4-year-old son Matteo.

"He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life," the dancer said. "All along, my main concern has been for him. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward. I am hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on."

He continued, "I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time. Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was."

Artem ended his statement by reiterating that he remains committed to his son, adding, "I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be."

 

Artem was initially arrested in Napa on Aug. 29 on a domestic violence charge, but the 42-year-old was later released on $25,000 bail. 

Almost two weeks later, Nikki filed for divorce from Artem on Sept. 11, requesting legal and physical custody of their 4-year-old son Matteo. However, in Artem's Sept. 13 response, he asked for joint legal and physical custody of their son, in addition to spousal support from Nikki.

Following news of the split, Nikki was seen out with sister Brie Garcia, who also gave an update on the 40-year-old during a recent episode of their joint podcast.

"She just asks for her privacy for her and her family," Brie said on the Sept. 23 episode of Nikki and Brie, "so we're going to give that."

Prosecutors said they would not be sharing further details about the case—including the identity of the alleged victim—but said they might revisit the case if they "learn of other incidents, or otherwise learns of facts or evidence not previously known."

"We are required to prove any and every criminal charge 'beyond a reasonable doubt' which is the highest standard in the American criminal justice system," Haley added. "If the available evidence doesn't rise to this level of proof, then we cannot ethically file charges."

Artem was initially arrested in Napa on Aug. 29 on a domestic violence charge, but the 42-year-old was later released on $25,000 bail. 

Almost two weeks later, Nikki filed for divorce from Artem on Sept. 11, requesting legal and physical custody of their 4-year-old son Matteo. However, in Artem's Sept. 13 response, he asked for joint legal and physical custody of their son, in addition to spousal support from Nikki.

Following news of the split, Nikki was seen out with sister Brie Garcia, who also gave an update on the 40-year-old during a recent episode of their joint podcast.

"She just asks for her privacy for her and her family," Brie said on the Sept. 23 episode of Nikki and Brie, "so we're going to give that."

She added that the former WWE star "sees all the support and love" from her fans and that both of them send their thanks.

As for Artem, he has also received encouragement from his loved ones, including his former Dancing With the Stars costar Gleb Savchenko.

"He's part of the family," Gleb told E! News at the DWTS season 33 premiere Sept. 17. "He's such a great dancer that people don't realize. He's the quality. It's not about quantity, it's about the quality."

He added, "He's just my brother and I send him love and positivity."

To learn more about Artem's arrest, keep reading.

Artem Chigvintsev was arrested shortly before 10 a.m. on Aug. 29, Napa County Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Henry Wofford confirmed to E! News.

Wofford noted the Dancing With the Stars pro did not was resist and was taken to the Napa County Department of Corrections. Chigvintsev was booked on a charge of felony domestic violence with a bail set at $25,000, per online records.

The professional dancer posted bail and was released from custody at 2:18 p.m. on Aug.29, Wofford confirmed to E! News. A court date has yet to be announced.

While Wofford told NBC News Chigvintsev was arrested in Yountville, Calif, he did not reveal the exact location due to a request for privacy from the alleged victim. 

As a result of this request, he added, the Sheriff is also not releasing the name, gender or age of the alleged victim or the individual’s relationship to Chigvintsev. However, Wofford did have this to say about the arrest.

“When someone is charged with felony domestic violence usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eyewitness,” he told E! News, “our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges.”

“Of course this could change with more evidence that might come through,” Wofford continued, “but at the time of the arrest the deputies felt it was a felony charge instead of a misdemeanor."

He also shared why victims may choose to keep personal information private in these cases.

“Some victims may not feel comfortable sharing all details at time the suspect is arrested,” Wofford noted. “Some victims feel embarrassed, threatened, or fear the incident may impact their family.  We have to give victims adequate time and support, which help them realize we are here to help.”

In an audio recording shared by TMZ Aug. 30, a dispatcher can be heard saying Chigvintsev had initially called 911 to request medical attention after an argument in which shoes were allegedly thrown at him. However, the dispatcher said the 42-year-old later stated that medical help was no longer needed.

Still, Wofford said authorities continued with their check.

“For domestic violence, if someone picks up the phone and says, ‘You don’t have to come after all,’ we’re still going to go for a welfare check," he told Page Six. "We’re not just going to stop what we’re doing."

As of Aug. 30, Chigvintsev has yet to speak publicly on the arrest or 911 call. E! News has reached out to his rep for comment but has yet to hear back.

Chigvintsev’s arrest came less than three weeks prior to Dancing With the Stars’ season 33 premiere. However, the past Mirrorball winner—who’s appeared on 12 seasons of the competition series—was not set to be a part of this season’s cast, Page Six and Variety reported. 

E! News has reached out to ABC for comment but has yet to hear back.

A rep for Nikki Garcia—who met Chigvintsev when they were paired together on season 25 of Dancing With the Stars in 2017—spoke out about his arrest the day after his booking and release.

"This is a private matter,” the rep told E! News Aug. 30, “and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time."

Chigvintsev’s arrest came three days after he and Garcia—who share 4-year-old son Matteo—celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

“Happy anniversary my love,” the ballroom dancer wrote on Instagram Aug. 26. “can’t see my life with out you. You are my everything.”

In her own post, the former WWE star quoted the lyrics from Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and posted throwback footage of the couple in Paris, where they got married in 2022.

“This song is our love story,” she wrote in the caption. “I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!”

Shortly after Chigvintsev’s arrest, Cheryl Burke—who retired as a Dancing With the Stars pro in 2022 after 26 seasons on the show—shared her reaction to the news. 

Noting Chigvintsev is someone she grew up with and lived with at one time, Burke said on her podcast Sex, Lies and Spray Tans that she was in “complete shock” over his arrest. 

“My heart goes out to everyone involved,” she shared on the Aug. 30 episode, noting it was recorded the day before. “It’s just really hard for me because he was my family. I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody’s OK.” 

In a clip of her podcast posted to TikTok, Burke also shared resources.

Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley shared on Sept. 24, 2024, that her office will not be filing charges against Chigvintsev following a "thorough review of the criminal investigation and careful evaluation of the evidence presented to the DA’s Office."

“If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available,” she wrote in the caption. “Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to…https://www.thehotline.org/.” 

For more information on domestic abuse or to get help for yourself or someone you love, visit the website for The National Domestic Violence Hotline (http://www.thehotline.org/) or call 1-800-799-7233.