Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia’s marriage has been ‘volatile for years’ close pals of the couple revealed – one day after his alleged domestic battery arrest.
The Dancing With The Stars pro, 42 – who claimed on a 911 call that his wife ‘threw shoes at him’ during the alleged incident – was taken into custody on Thursday in Napa, California on suspicion of felony domestic violence.
Chigvintsev and Garcia – who celebrated their second wedding anniversary earlier this week – tied the knot in August 2022, but first crossed paths in 2017 when she was a celebrity guest on Dancing With The Stars.
Sources told TMZ on Friday that friends and former castmates of the couple were not surprised by the alleged incident.
Insiders added that Artem and Nikki’s marriage has been ‘troubled’ for a while, and the reaction from their pals over the arrest was: ‘Shocking but not shocking.’
Artem Chigvintsev, 42, and Nikki Garcia’s, 40, marriage has been ‘volatile for years’ close pals of the couple revealed – one day after his alleged domestic battery arrest
The couple’s friends reportedly had knowledge of past verbal arguments between the two – but were not aware of anything physical.
Sources also informed TMZ that Artem and Nikki’s arguments were over ‘control and belittlement.’
After going public with their relationship in 2019, Artem and Nikki got engaged later that year. In 2020, the two welcomed their son, Matteo, four.
That same year, the two began couple’s counseling to be better parents to their little boy, per People.
Garcia explained on The Tamron Hall Show that both she and the dancer were doing counseling, ‘mainly just to be amazing parents and knowing how to balance parent life out and also our own relationship.’
And during an appearance on the Off The Vine podcast, the mother-of-one further explained that they went to couples counseling due to how Artem spoke to her, per TMZ.
On The Bellas podcast in November 2021, the former WWE wrestler said that both she and Artem had hit a ‘rocky’ stretch in their relationship, but were ‘stronger than ever.’
And last year, Nikki – who recently broke her silence over Artem’s arrest – revealed that before walking down the aisle in 2022, both she and Artem had gotten into a ‘pretty bad’ fight.
Sources told TMZ on Friday that friends and former castmates of the couple were not surprised by the alleged incident
Insiders added that Artem and Nikki’s marriage has been ‘troubled’ for a while, and the reaction from their pals over the arrest was: ‘Shocking but not shocking’; seen in 2019 in L.A.
On E!’s Nikki Bella Says I Do, per People, she explained on an episode, ‘Artem and I got into a pretty bad argument last night.’
She added that the argument was centered around Artem and their son going to Turkey while she stays in France. ‘They’re going to be in Turkey for four days, which is giving me massive anxiety.’
‘When I would ask about it or say things about it, Artem was taking it as I don’t want him to go, I don’t want him to see his parents, and I don’t want any of that.’
‘It definitely caused a lot of tension and tension that is still there,’ Garcia expressed.
Artem also added, ‘I do feel like she doubts my ability at being with Matteo and being his dad. I can handle the situation.’
On Thursday, following the Russian dancer’s arrest, he was released from jail later that afternoon after his bail had been set for $25,000.
According to a radio dispatch obtained by TMZ, Artem made a call to 911 on Thursday morning to ask for medical assistance, but also claimed that Nikki threw shoes at him during the alleged altercation.
‘Initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at rp [reporting party],’ the dispatcher said in the call, per the outlet.
The dispatcher also said, ‘There is a child on scene. Medical en route. There’s an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible.’
Sources also informed TMZ that Artem and Nikki’s arguments were over ‘control and belittlement’
Artem reportedly called 911 after an alleged domestic battery incident on Thursday – but took it back only minutes later, TMZ also reported on Friday.
Afterwards, the dispatcher also said over the radio, ‘RP is stating no medical is needed now.’
Sources told the outlet that the alleged victim did not place the call to 911, but Chigvintsev did around 8:30a.m. due to alleged injuries on the victim.
However, law enforcement was on the road when the professional dancer called 911 once again, but only to take back what he had said earlier.
It is protocol for police to continue their response, but the fire department and paramedics were called off after being dispatched.
Upon law enforcement’s arrival to the scene at 9:30a.m. – an hour after the first call had been made – Artem was taken into custody.
Nikki Garcia’s representative also told TMZ on Friday as the former WWE wrestle broke her silence over the alleged incident: ‘This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.’
Officials with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest with DailyMail.com, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence.
In 2020, the two began couple’s counseling to be better parents to their little boy, per People
‘When it comes to felony domestic violence, it’s not based on hearsay,’ Napa County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Henry Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday. ‘The deputies saw something that is apparent.’
Wofford explained, ‘I’m not telling you this is what happened in this particular case, but sometimes there would be evidence of blood, sometimes scratches, sometimes it’s bruises.’
‘It’s something visible where the deputies said, “OK, we’re making this arrest.”‘
Deputies spoke to Chigvintsev and arrested him for felony domestic violence, Wofford told Dailymail.com Thursday, adding that the dance pro ‘was cooperative’ and ‘did not fight with our deputies or anything of that nature.’
Wofford told Dailymail.com that Chigvintsev was booked at Napa County Department of Corrections at 10:40 a.m., with his bail set at $25,000.
Chigvintsev posted bail at about 2:15 p.m. and was no longer in custody as of Thursday evening, Wofford stated.
Wofford told Dailymail.com that there was only one other person connected to this incident, but declined to identity of the victim or any details, per their request.
Wofford said that as of Thursday evening, he was not aware of any protective orders being filed by the victim or on their behalf by authorities.
‘We’re going to take our time like we do in every domestic violence case,’ Wofford said. ‘No one gets a preferential treatment, and no one is getting overlooked.’
Artem reportedly called 911 after an alleged domestic battery incident on Thursday – but took it back only minutes later, TMZ also reported on Friday
Officials with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest with DailyMail.com, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence; seen in 2019 in Santa Monica
‘When it comes to domestic violence victims, it is common for male and female victims to not be fully prepared to tell the entire story shortly after the incident, so we’re not going to rush this…and we have the patience as well.’
Wofford told Dailymail.com that the department was focused on providing ‘a support system for the victim.’
Wofford said that a probe was ongoing as to whether Chigvintsev had violated any laws with his conduct prior to his arrest Thursday.
Amid Artem’s arrest, a source told Page Six on Thursday that he will not be returning as a pro dancer on the upcoming season 33 of Dancing With The Stars.
Amid Artem’s arrest, a source told Page Six on Thursday that he will not be returning as a pro dancer on the upcoming season 33 of Dancing With The Stars; Nikki and Artem seen on DWTS in 2017
‘There were no plans for Artem to be a part of Season 3,’ the insider revealed to the outlet.
His arrest took place only three days after he and wife, Nikki Garcia, celebrated their second wedding anniversary.
The two first met in 2017 when they were paired together on the 25th season of Dancing With The Stars – but were eliminated during the sixth week.
In July 2020, Nikki and Artem welcomed their son Matteo, four. And two years later, the couple said ‘I do’ in August 2022 during a romantic ceremony in Paris following multiple wedding postponements.