Nikki Garcia returned to the spotlight just days after her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, was arrested on domestic violence charges, co-hosting Netflix’s live event “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef” with Rob Riggle.
On September 2, Nikki Garcia, 40, stepped back into the public eye, marking her first appearance since her husband’s arrest. Dressed in a striking red pantsuit with a matching vest top, the former WWE star expressed her gratitude to the crowd, saying, “Thank you everyone, I’m so happy to be here,” and even took a moment to exchange words of affection with a fan, smiling as she said, “I love you, too.”
Nikki had initially announced her involvement in the Netflix special on August 23, nearly a week before Artem’s arrest, with an enthusiastic Instagram post declaring, “This is going to be EPIC!!”
However, the couple’s world was shaken on August 29 when Artem Chigvintsev, known for his role on Dancing with the Stars, was arrested in Napa, California. According to booking documents obtained by E! News, Artem was charged under California Penal Code section 273.5 (a)PC, which pertains to acts of violence against a spouse or cohabitant. He was released shortly after on $25,000 bail.
E! News attempted to reach out to Artem’s representatives for comment, but received no response. The day after the arrest, Nikki’s representative issued a brief statement on her behalf, asking for privacy during this difficult time.
Details of the incident began to emerge on August 30, when TMZ obtained a radio dispatch call indicating that Artem had initially called 911 for medical assistance, reporting that Nikki had allegedly thrown shoes at him. The dispatcher, referencing an “active 415″—police code for a disturbance—confirmed that medical assistance was en route and noted that a child was present at the scene. Although Artem reportedly tried to cancel the paramedics, police arrived an hour later, leading to his arrest.
In a statement to E! News, the Napa County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer explained, “When someone is charged with felony domestic violence, usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eyewitness. Our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges.”
Since the incident, Nikki Garcia has remained silent about the current state of her relationship with Artem. However, she was spotted without her wedding ring while boarding a private plane out of Oakland, California, on August 31, fueling speculation about the couple’s future.
As Nikki continues to navigate this challenging period, her return to the public stage signals her determination to move forward, even as questions about her marriage remain unanswered.