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Artem Chigvintsev Reflects on Personal Turmoil After Divorce and Legal Troubles
Artem Chigvintsev, the professional dancer formerly of Dancing With the Stars, continues to navigate the emotional aftermath of a tumultuous year that included legal issues and the dissolution of his marriage to Nikki Garcia. Although the domestic violence charge against him was dismissed months ago, the events of 2024 have left a lasting impact on his life.
In a recent interview on the Glamorous Grind podcast, Chigvintsev expressed how these difficulties reshaped his life, stating, “It completely ruined everything for me. From every angle. It ruined my life completely. And the worst part about all this is the [district attorney] dropped the case, clearly stating there was nothing they could possibly have to charge me on…”
The troubles began for Chigvintsev in August 2024 when he was arrested following a domestic altercation. Just weeks later, Garcia initiated divorce proceedings, seeking sole custody of their son, Matteo, who celebrated his fourth birthday in July. The situation escalated into a bitter legal conflict, with both parties obtaining restraining orders against one another. However, by the end of September, the legal charges were dismissed, and the divorce was finalized in November, allowing for shared custody arrangements for Matteo.
Chigvintsev chose to settle the divorce privately instead of drawing it out in public court, highlighting his desire to move forward in life. He reflected, “I wanted it to be over. I felt for me, personally, like I needed to go back and live my life and I needed to move on emotionally, financially. I just want my life to be normal again.”
He also shared his thoughts on the media portrayal of his arrest, recalling the shock of seeing his mugshot plastered on tabloid covers. “When people see that mugshot … for them, in their mind, you’re immediately guilty. There’s not even a question of what happened. In this country, I thought you’re innocent until proven guilty. That was not the case whatsoever,” he reflected, noting how public perception can shift dramatically based on surface-level information.
Despite the legal troubles, Chigvintsev admits he still mourns the end of his marriage. After being together for seven years and married for two, he expressed regret over the separation. “It wasn’t my decision to get divorced,” he revealed. “Until the last moment, I was like, ‘Oh, maybe we should do therapy, maybe we need to try to figure something out.’ My ideal scenario is keeping the family together, united.”
Processing this significant change has been challenging for him. He described the experience as “sad,” yet added, “I guess just a relief that it was done. It was dramatic. The whole thing … maybe dramatic isn’t the right word … but it was draining. It was a relief from a legal point of view.”
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.
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