Nikki Garcia Lists Date of Separation as the Day of Artem Chigvintsev's Domestic Violence Arrest in Divorce Docs

Mar. 15, 2025

Artem Chigvintsev (L) and Nikki Bella attend FOX’s Teen Choice Awards 2019 on August 11, 2019 in Hermosa Beach, California.Photo:Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Nikki GarciaandArtem Chigvintsevare going their separate ways nearly two weeks after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.

Garcia listed the date of separation as Aug. 29, the same day that Chigvintsev, 42, was arrested ona charge of corporal injury to a spousein Napa Valley, California, according to the documents.

Garcia also requested the court terminate spousal support for both parties and give her legal and physical custody of the couple’s 4-year-old son,Matteo, with the professional dancer having visitation rights, the filing states.

TMZwas the first to report the news.

A rep for the reality star also confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE that Garcia, 40,filed for divorce, adding, “She continues to ask for privacy for her and her family at this time.”

While it was never explicitly confirmed, Garcia is presumably the spouse in question. According to the dispatcher heard on the outlet’s audio,  Chigvintsev alleged that Garcia threw shoes at him during the argument.

At the time, a rep for Garcia told PEOPLE, “This is a private matter and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”

Rumors about their split continued to grow when Garcia was allegedly spotted without her wedding ring while making herfirst public appearanceat Netflix’sChestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, a live hot dog-eating competition she co-hosted with Rob Riggle on Sept. 2.

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Garcia and Chigvintsev met in 2017 when they werepaired togetheron season 25 ofDancing with the Stars, but the retired WWE wrestler was engaged toJohn Cenaat the time. Garcia and Cena officiallyended their relationshipin July 2018 after six years together.

TheDWTSpairreconnectedlater that year, making theirrelationship Instagram officialin March 2019. Garcia and Chigvintsev have since celebrated several milestones together including gettingengagedin November 2019,welcoming their sonin July 2020 and saying “I do” in August 2022.

source: people.com