How Nikki Garcia Explained Divorce From Artem Chigvintsev to Their Son Matteo
Nikki Garcia’s divorce from Artem Chigvintsev will not stop her from spending Valentine’s Day with her No. 1 man.
Nearly three months after the WWE star and the Dancing With the Stars pro—who share 4-year-old son Matteo—settled their divorce and mutually dropped their restraining orders against each other, the 41-year-old revealed how she will be spending the loved up holiday this year.
“For me right now, it’s anything with my son,” Nikki told E! News in an exclusive interview. “He gives me the greatest love ever. He fills my cup up beyond.”
“So it would be having a really fun lunch with french fries,” she added, “because that is his favorite and now it’s my favorite.”
Her sister Brie Garcia, on the other hand, detailed her own idea of “a perfect date” with her husband Bryan Danielson (a.k.a. WWE alum Daniel Bryan). Spoiler alert: it involves a “90-minute couples’ massage,” and “the whole shebang.”
But while their ideas of the perfect day may differ, these sisters—who co-host Sirius XM’s The Nikki & Brie Show—have always been birds of a feather.
“We’re each other’s biggest cheerleader,” Brie told E!. “We’ve been through everything since the womb so it’s like our bond is so close.”
“I can always rely on Nikki, and Nikki can rely on me,” she continued. “Gosh, even the last decade, the journey we both have been on—it’s been nice to have each other’s support. And each other’s laughs because we laugh at each other a lot.”
And for Nikki, the past few months—which has included Artem’s August arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence (for which he ultimately was not charged) and restraining order filings from both sides alleging that the other person was the aggressor—have not been the easiest.
As for how the Total Bellas alum approached explaining her recent divorce to her son? Well, she kept it straightforward.
ABC via Getty Images
“I’ve used words like divorce,” Nikki told Us Weekly in a recent interview, “but it’s only been when he’s asked.”
Instead of focusing on the labels, the WWE Hall of Famer found it more productive to explain how their split would directly affect her son’s daily routines.
“Everything’s kind of been about us just having our own homes,” she noted. “’You get to go see Mommy, and you get to go see Daddy.’”
But despite everything that has happened between the two, Nikki and Artem have agreed that their son’s happiness will remain their first priority.
“On Christmas, we made sure we were both there when we baked Santa’s cookies,” Nikki told the outlet. “Matteo went to bed and we both were there when he woke up. Because he’s our focus, we want to keep those moments.”
While Nikki plans to spend the Feb. 14 holiday focusing on her relationship with her little one, keep reading to look back at her and Artem’s relationship.
Craig Sjodin via Getty Images
A Different Sort of Smooch
Long before the two paired up in real life, Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev were dance partners during DWTS' 25th season back in 2017. Here, Artem kisses the Garcia twin's hand for a promotional shot.
Sunday Fun Day
Just weeks before the pair would go on to publicly confirm their romance, Artem made several appearances on Nikki's Instagram Story and Instagram Live videos before and during Total Bellas. Why?
Nikki explained that Artem would be joining her in live tweeting the episode, though that wasn't the only reason for his social media cameo. "I have a special guest who had a really fun Sunday fun day with me," she told fans in the Live video, before explaining they spent the afternoon enjoying ramen and non-alcoholic beer together.
Instagram/Artem Chigvintsev
Messing Around
Artem followed Nikki's adorable Instagram post with one of his own the following the day. The scenic shot showed a giddy-looking Nikki smiling and covering Artem's face while his arm was wrapped sweetly around her waist.
It's Official!
Trailing Total Bellas' fourth season finale, the WWE star took to Instagram Sunday night, March 24, with an adorable snapshot that saw her planting a sweet kiss on the DWTS pro's cheek.
The photo seemed to reemphasize what the final moments of Sunday's episode already confirmed: that Nikki and Artem are, in fact, doing the romance thing.
"Well after that season finale," she wrote in the post's caption, adding that her and Artem's relationship is the "first thing I'll be talking about" during Wednesday's upcoming episode of The Bellas Podcast. Stay tuned!
Wine Time
Artem and Nikki held hands during a daytime date in Washington, D.C.
Breakfast With the Fam
Nikki's twin sister Brie Bella posted this cute pic of herself and daughter Birdie grabbing breakfast with the couple in April 2019.
Dog Pile
Nikki and Artem snuggled in bed with her pup Winston.
Disney Date
Nikki and Artem cuddle up while in Disney with Brie and her husband Bryan Danielson.
Podcast Official
Artem made his first appearance on the Garcia's podcast in May 2019 and the lovebirds didn't shy away from talking about their relationship.
Music Fest Lovefest
The couple shared a sweet moment in the crowd at the BottleRock music festival.
BottleRock Babes
Artem and Nikki enjoy a weekend getaway to in Napa, Califa.
Birthday Boy
"Happy Birthday to a man who not only makes my face smile, but my heart," Nikki wrote in a tribute to Artem in June 2019. "You're a special one Mr. Chigvintsev! Your relaxing, calm, patient, kind, happy energy and aura is contagious! You truly are the kindest soul I have ever met. Thank you for bringing a lot of sunshine into my life."
Smooch!
Nikki planted a sweet kiss on Arten during a selfie.
Hands Off
The pair snapped a "hands free 10 second selfie."
Instagram / Nikki Bella
Happy
Artem sweept Nikki off her feet! "Lake Tahoe makes my soul smile & my inner child come out and play!" she wrote on Instagram.
Instagram / Nikki Bella
Picture Perfect
Nikki and Artem's Lake Tahoe photo shoot was hotter than the weather on 4th of July.
Desert Selfie
Nikki and Artem soaked up some sun in the desert.
Mexicali Memories
Artem joined Nikki and Brie on a trip to Mexicali as the twins tried to reunite with their estranged father.
Ahem...
Nikki snuck in a selfie amid her attempt to "seduce my way into getting a foot massage."
Instagram/@thenikkibella
Chilling At The Lake
The pair spent quality family time together during a trip to Lake Tahoe in August 2021.
New Beginning
Nikki took to Instagram in August 2019 to share a message about her "new beginning" with Artem.
"As I start a new amazing journey with @totalbellas and my life, my @theartemc is starting the same," the retired WWE star wrote. "And I am so excited for him to be on this journey with me. I'm thankful for him to showcase his life, love, ups and downs not only for me but for my Bella Army and my Total Bellas viewers."
Instagram/@thenikkibella
Vote For Artem!
Nikki encouraged the Bella Army to vote for Artem and his DWTS partner, Melora Hardin, with the adorable pic.
Instagram/@thenikkibella
Couple Goals
Being a supportive wife, Nikki encouraged fans to vote for Artem and partner Heidi D'Amelio on Dancing With the Stars with this cute photo.
Cheers!
Let happy hour for the hardworking couple commence!
Cuddles
Seriously, could they get any cuter?
Together Forever
Nikki and her "4 lifer," as she put it in the caption of this October snap.
Poppin' Bottles
Champagne time.
A Bella Birthday
Artem shared this pic on Nikki's birthday.
"I want to wish the happiest birthday to my beautiful and definitely better other half," he captioned the post. "you are my rock, you have been absolutely incredible as a mom to Matteo and I am so lucky to have you. I want to wish you lots of success, love and happiness and everything you wish for yourself. I love you and miss you and can't wait to see you to celebrate."
Kisses
Muah.
Home Is Wherever I'm With You
"mi casa," Nikki wrote alongside this sweet selfie.
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