Here’s the story you’re probably buzzing about: "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic violence in Napa Valley, California, according to jail records obtained by Closer. Let's break this down and take a closer look at what happened.
This incident took place early Thursday morning, August 29, when Artem was booked into the Napa County Jail on a felony domestic violence charge. The details are starting to come out, but we’ll get to that in a moment.
Understanding Domestic Violence Charges in California
Before we dive further, let's clarify what domestic violence means under California law. According to the California Penal Code Section 273.5(a), it's illegal to cause injury to a spouse, someone you live with, or a parent of your shared children. This crime is often referred to as domestic abuse, domestic violence, or corporal injury to a spouse. It’s serious stuff, and the legal implications can be life-changing.
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Artem's Personal Life
Now, let's talk about Artem himself. At 42 years old, Artem is married to Nikki Garcia, formerly known as WWE superstar Nikki Bella. Nikki and her twin sister, Brie Garcia (formerly Brie Bella), were a powerhouse in the WWE for over a decade before hanging up their wrestling boots. Their lives have been anything but boring, and now this dramatic twist adds another layer to their story.

Take a look at Artem Chigvintsev's mugshot after his arrest for domestic violence in Napa Valley, California. The TV dancer, who’s married to former WWE star Nikki Garcia, looks serious in his booking photo. He was taken into custody and is currently being held on $25,000 bail. Law enforcement responded to a domestic violence call in Yountville, where injuries were reported. The victim has requested complete confidentiality. Born in Russia, Artem, 42, has been a familiar face on "Dancing With the Stars" and shares a four-year-old son with Nikki Garcia. This incident occurred just days after their wedding anniversary. 29 Aug 2024. Photo credit: NCDC/MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA1191115_001.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]
What Happened in Yountville?
According to a representative from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a domestic violence call in Yountville shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday. An arrest was made on the scene, and it’s been reported that injuries were involved. The victim has requested total confidentiality, so we don’t have all the details yet.
Nikki and Artem tied the knot in August 2022, and their journey to marriage was documented on E!’s "Nikki Bella Says I Do." They first met when they were paired together on "Dancing With the Stars" in September 2017 for season 25. After Nikki’s final breakup with John Cena in July 2018, rumors began swirling that she and Artem were an item.
Fast forward to early 2019, and the couple officially confirmed their relationship by posting together on Instagram for the first time. Later that year, Artem proposed to Nikki in France, setting the stage for their happily-ever-after—or so it seemed.
Family Life Before the Arrest
In January 2020, Nikki excitedly announced that she and Artem were expecting their first child. Their son, Matteo, was born in July 2020, and just a few days ago, they celebrated his fourth birthday. Nikki expressed her love for Matteo in an Instagram tribute, saying, "Oh my sweet, sweet Love. My heart and soul. My entire world. The moment I gave birth to you everything changed for the better. I became better. No greater purpose I have in the world now than you."
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Ironically, just hours before Artem’s arrest, Nikki shared a post on her Instagram Stories about getting a facial at Nude Medical Aesthetics in Napa. It’s a stark contrast to the events that unfolded later in the day.

A Celebration Turned Sour
Just two days prior to the arrest, Nikki and Artem celebrated their wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, Nikki posted a heartfelt video with Artem, captioned with lyrics from "Can't Help Falling in Love." She wrote, "This song is our love story. I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in


