Nikki Garcia's representative has broken silence, issuing a statement to request privacy following the domestic violence arrest of her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, while their pal Cheryl Burke weighs in on the matter.
- August 31, 2024
AceShowbiz - A representative for Nikki Garcia has released a statement in response to her husband Artem Chigvintsev's recent arrest for domestic battery. On August 29, the 42-year-old "Dancing With the Stars" pro was arrested in Napa County, California, on charges of felony corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant.
According to jail records, Chigvintsev was taken into custody at 10:40 a.m. and released at 2:18 p.m. His bail was set at $25,000.
"This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time," Garcia's rep told multiple outlets on August 30.
The circumstances surrounding Chigvintsev's arrest remain unclear. Earlier this week, he and Garcia celebrated their second wedding anniversary. In an Instagram post honoring the occasion, Garcia wrote, "This song is our love story. I'll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem."
Chigvintsev and Garcia met as partners on season 25 of "Dancing With the Stars" in 2017. They began dating in 2018 and welcomed their son, Matteo, in 2020. They married in 2022.
Chigvintsev's arrest has shocked his friends and colleagues. Cheryl Burke, a fellow "Dancing With the Stars" pro, described him as someone she "grew up with" and said, "Domestic violence and Artem don't really ... that's why it's so shocking."
Artem Chigvintsev has been a mainstay on "DWTS", but he's being sidelined this season following his arrest.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
