Artem Chigvintsev: Nikki Bella split was inevitable

Artem Chigvintsev thinks his split from ex-wife Nikki Garcia was “inevitable”.

Artem Chigvintsev thinks his split from Nikki Garcia was “inevitable”.

The former couple split in August 2024 after two years of marriage following a row which saw police called to their home and the Dancing with the Stars professional arrested for domestic violence, and the dancer has now looked back on the week which “completely changed” his life.

Describing the time as like a “bad dream”, Artem told Pete Morgatroyd on her The Penthouse with Peta podcast: “I had to completely switch off me. There was no way of processing everything.

“Looking back, I’m like, ‘Woah. I don’t know where I am right now.'”

The 43-year-old dancer, who wasn’t charged following the alleged incident, admitted his “true answer would be no” when asked if he could have done anthing differently.

He said: “It was inevitable. Everything happens for a reason. I feel like for me to end up where I needed to end up, that needed to happen.

“I don’t think I would [have] ever left with that relationship on my own. I would have never done that just because I was raised differently.”

Artem admitted he and Nikki’s five-year-old son Matteo “played an enormous part” in why they didn’t go their separate ways sooner, though he still believes the youngster “needs to have both parents present.”

He added: “I want my kid to have a full family. There is a huge amount of relationships that, I think, nowadays people exit way too early.”

WWE star Nikki – who is also known as Nikki Bella – recently praised Artem for how they have been able to co-parent successfully.

Speaking on The Nikki and Brie show, she said: “I have to give it to Artem, who’s been amazing on adapting to my schedule. I get Matteo almost more. He’s amazing.

“We’ve adapted well and Matteo’s thriving.”

Artem previously claimed the domestic violence allegation “completely ruined” his life, even though he wasn’t charged.

He told the Glamourous Grind podcast: “It completely ruined everything for me. From every angle, it ruined my life completely.

“The worst part of all of this was because the [district attorney] dropped the case, clearly stating there was nothing they could possibly have charged me on.

“”When people see that mugshot. For them, in their mind, you are immediately guilty.

“There is nothing you can say or try to justify yourself to change their minds.”

Artem noted there was no hesitation on his part when it came to ending the marriage.

He explained: “I wanted it to be over. I needed to go back to live my life and I need to move on — emotionally, financially — and I just wanted my life to be normal again.”