ABC Star Arrested For Domestic Violence Speaks Out After Charges Are Dropped
In late August, fans of Dancing with the Stars were shocked to learn that one of the show’s professional dancers had been arrested for allegedly beating his wife. Artem Chigvintsev made his Dancing with the Stars debut in 2014, four years after he first appeared on the BBC show it was based on — Strictly Come Dancing.
The Russian-born dancer quickly became a fan favorite, appearing in 12 seasons of Dancing, which is where he met his soon-to-be ex-wife.
For season 25 of the hit ABC show, Chigvintsev was paired with former professional wrestler and reality television star Nikki Garcia (stage name Nikki Bella). The two quickly hit it off and developed a relationship while competing. They continued to see each other when the show ended and welcomed their son Matteo in 2020. Two years later, the couple married.
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On August 29, the police were called to the couple’s home after Mr. Chigvintsev reported his wife had thrown a shoe at him, and he needed medical attention. He tried to cancel the medical request, but police were already on the way. And when they arrived and listened to both sides, they arrested the professional dancer on felony charges of corporal injury to a spouse and booked him into the Napa County Jail.
On September 25, it was announced that the charges against Mr. Chigvintsev had been dropped after an investigation by the Napa County District Attorney’s office. However, there is a three-year statute of limitations, and District Attorney Allison Haley said that if new information turned up, charges would be pressed.
Since the arrest, both Mr. Chigvintsev and Ms. Garcia have remained quiet, with the former wrestler’s attorney asking that his client be given the privacy she deserves.
However, with the domestic violence charges against him dropped, Mr Chigvintsev is speaking out, and not everyone is okay with it.
In a statement to E! News, the professional dancer said that he was “incredibly grateful” that the charges have been dropped.
“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped. This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed.”
“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.”
“I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be.”
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Despite the felony domestic violence charges being dropped, not everyone thinks the truth has come out, and they are waiting patiently on the sidelines until it does.
In a now-deleted Instagram post, Nikki’s twin sister, and wrestling partner, Brie Bella shared a cryptic message about lies always coming out. She shared the story just a few hours before her ex-brother-in-law said that the truth had prevailed. However, she did not address Mr. Chigvintsev by name.
The truth always comes out in the end, no matter how hard anyone tries to hide it or stop it. Lies are just a temporary delay to the inevitable.
He called his son his world, and said that he is seeking a joint custody agreement with his wife. In mid-September, Ms. Garcia filed for divorce and requested primary legal and physical custody of their toddler. However, Mr. Chigvintsev’s lawyer, Ilona Antonyan, said that her client was never the “primary aggressor” and that he was protecting himself and his child.
“He is a very dedicated, interactive, nurturing, and loving parent. My understanding of the investigated facts surrounding the 8/29/24 incident have led me to conclude from the beginning that Artem was not the primary aggressor. I believe that to be true even if the burden of proof would be the preponderance of evidence, which is the standard of proof in family court. He was protecting himself and Matteo.”
Ms. Antonyan said that her client as a “strong support group” full of loving family and friends. She believes that once the custody situation is figured out, the divorce will be “less emotionally charged and easier to resolve.”
Mr. Chigvintsev has also requested that the judge overseeing his divorce grant his spousal support. If that request is granted, Ms. Garcia would have to pay him a set amount of money every month.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are available to listen by phone (1-800-799-7233), by chat on their website, and by texting START to 88788.
