Strictly Come Dancing star Artem Chigvintsev is divorcing his wife, Nikki Garcia, as she filed for divorce in September 2024, citing irreconcilable differences. Here’s more information regarding Artem’s personal life.
Artem Chigvintsev is a Russian-American professional dancer best known for appearing on the reality TV shows Dancing with the Stars and Strictly Come Dancing.
Besides competitive dancing, Artem has worked as a choreographer and performed in stage productions like Burn the Floor. In addition to his professional life, Chigvintsev has also been involved in various controversies.
In 2015, Fern Britton accused Chigvintsev of kicking, shoving, and joking about killing her during their 2012 Strictly Come Dancing training sessions. Chigvintsev denied the claims, insisting he always maintained a professional relationship.
Furthermore, Artem is now making headlines as he is in the middle of a divorce with his wife, Nikki Bella, who recently filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Before his relationship news, let’s explore his family background.
Artem Chigvintsev Is Russian-Born: Who Are His Parents?
Artem Vladimirovich Chigvintsev was born on June 12, 1982, in Izhevsk, Udmurt ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, to his parents, Vladimir and Anna. His parents reside in Russia.
Chigvintsev is the youngest of two children and has an older brother named Anton.
Artem has also been open about his parents and talked about them in various interviews.
As reported, when the Russian dancer and his wife Nikki welcomed their son Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev in July 2020, much of Chigvintsev’s family could not join them due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Russia.
After a long time, Vladimir and Anna finally met their grandson in February 2023 as Artem and Nikki took their son to Turkey.
Furthermore, Matteo started crying as Artem’s parents hugged them. Artem lets him run around in his light-up shoes to burn off energy as they head to their hotel room. While Artem tearfully hugged his mother, he didn’t notice his dad calming Matteo by picking him up.
Artem Chigvintsev Journey From Russia To The US: Career Overview
Artem Chigvintsev is a native of Russia, but he moved to America in 2003 following his passion for ballroom and Latin dance. He also appeared on an American reality show called So You Think You Can Dance.
Artem gained recognition on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing, winning in 2010 with actress Kara Tointon. He then joined the U.S. version, Dancing with the Stars, in 2014, where he won Season 29 with Kaitlyn Bristowe.
In addition to performing, Artem has worked as a choreographer and starred in stage shows like Burn the Floor. He has also appeared in various shows, including an episode of the TV show The O.C.
He also starred in a movie titled I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. In October 2020, Artem appeared on Keeping Up with the Kardashians to teach Kris Jenner and her boyfriend ballroom dancing.
During its fifth and sixth seasons, Chigvintsev was a leading cast member on the E! reality show Total Bellas.
Artem Chigvintsev’s Relationship With Wife Nikki Garcia Detorited: Why Did They Divorce?
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia partnered on Season 25 of Dancing With the Stars, which premiered on September 18, 2017. They were eliminated in the seventh week of the competition.
Photos circulated online suggesting Artem and Nikki might be more than friends, and by March 2019, she shared a picture of her kissing him on the cheek. In July of the same year, it was confirmed that they were dating each other.
Nikki confirmed the news while talking with her twin sister, Brie Garcia, on their podcast, The Bellas Podcast. They confirmed their relationship with a music video dancing to Rita Ora’s Let Me Love You.
On January 3, 2020, the couple announced their engagement in November 2019, sharing a proposal photo and a selfie highlighting her ring. In January 2020, the duo announced they were expecting their first child.
In July of the same year, Artem and Nikki welcomed their first child, Matteo. Nikki shared the news on Instagram, and her followers congratulated the couple. On August 26, 2022, Artem and Nikki got married.
On September 11, 2024, Nikki filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Garcia asked for sole legal and physical custody of their son Mateo, while Artem asked for shared custody.
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Artem Chigvintsev Multiple Dating Story: Got Arrested On The Charge Of Domestic Violence
Before his relationship with Nikki Bella, Artem Chigvintsev had multiple romantic affairs. In 2003, He met dancer Giselle Peacock at the Blackpool Dance Festival. He flew to the U.S. for a wedding with her and never returned to Russia.
They competed together for nearly two years, winning five Amateur Latin competitions and marrying in 2004, but they split the following year. Later, in 2006, he met Carrie Ann Inaba on the So You Think You Can Dance set.
Carrie and Artem nearly three years before splitting in 2009. In September 2010, Chigvintsev competed in Season 8 of Strictly Come Dancing, partnering with actress Kara Tointon. They won the season and began dating, but Tointon confirmed their split in 2014.
In 2016, Artem began dating One Tree Hill alum Torrey DeVitto. They broke up in May 2017 after she moved east for her role on Chicago Med. During Season 22 of DWTS in 2016, Artem Chigvintsev was paired with actress Mischa Barton.
They had a rocky partnership and reportedly went on a few dates after her elimination, but his rep denied any romantic involvement. Besides his love life, Artem made headlines in August 2024 when he was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge in Napa County, California.
He was held on $25,000 bail. Police later publicly released his mugshot, and he was released more than three hours later.
