Nicki Gracia’s husband and ‘DWTS’ pro Artem Chigvintsev arrested on domestic violence charge

'DWTS' pro Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested on a felony domestic violence charge in California


Pop Culture & Art August 30, 2024

Artem Chigvintsev, a professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars," has been arrested in California on suspicion of felony domestic violence. The 42-year-old was taken into custody around 10 a.m. on Thursday and booked into Napa County Jail. According to booking records reviewed by USA TODAY, he is being held on $25,000 bail.

Chigvintsev is married to former WWE star Nikki Garcia, known for her role in "Total Bellas." The couple, who were paired together on "DWTS" in 2017, tied the knot in 2022 and have a 4-year-old son, Matteo Artemovich. On Wednesday, Garcia posted an Instagram Story indicating that she was in Napa Valley, where the family resides.

Chigvintsev, who has been a fixture on the ABC competition show for a decade, except for a brief hiatus during the 2019 season, won Season 29 of "DWTS" with Kaitlyn Bristowe in 2020. He most recently finished in fourth place with Charity Lawson in the last season. However, a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly told USA TODAY on Thursday that Chigvintsev is not part of the upcoming Season 33 cast.

Garcia previously discussed her husband's struggles with mental health after being cut from "DWTS" for one season. "This past year was really tough on him, and it was also tough on our relationship because Artem was fighting depression," she said on "The Bellas Podcast" in 2020. She noted that his mood significantly improved when he was invited back to the show.

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