Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella’s friends react to 'DWTS' star’s domestic violence arrest
NAPA, CALIFORNIA: In light of Artem Chigvintsev's recent arrest for domestic abuse, sources close to the 'Dancing With the Stars' star and Nikki Bella (also known as Nikki Garcia) have revealed that the couple's marriage has been "volatile for years."
The 'Dancing With the Stars' pro was arrested on Thursday, August 29, on a charge of felony domestic abuse in Napa, California, where he resides with his wife Nikki Bella, 40, and his four-year-old son Matteo.
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella's marriage was 'volatile' for years
Pro dancer Artem Chigvintsev, 42, who allegedly claimed in a 911 call that his wife "threw shoes at him" during the alleged incident, was taken into custody on Thursday on charges of felony domestic violence.
However, friends of the pair allegedly stated that they were not completely shocked to see Bella and Chigvintsev in this week's news cycle because they knew the marriage was "volatile" for a while.
Insiders apprised TMZ that while the specifics of the arrest were "shocking but not shocking," they did reveal that Bella had allegedly thrown shoes at her husband during the confrontation.
The outlet reported that "Artem and Nikki’s marriage has been troubled for some time," citing unnamed insiders who claimed that the alleged strain in the couple's relationship was apparent to everyone in their group.
Chigvintsev and Bella—who celebrated their second wedding anniversary before the arrest—tied the knot in August 2022. They had first met when she was a celebrity visitor on 'Dancing With the Stars' in 2017.
Sources further spilled that although they were aware of the two's history of verbal altercations, they were not aware of any physical altercations between them before the alleged incident on Thursday that resulted in Chigvintsev's detention.
According to the police, the victim requested "total confidentiality," but "an arrest was made at the scene" and "injuries were reportedly involved." Chigvintsev was freed on a $25,000 bond on Thursday afternoon.
Chigvintsev has not reportedly been residing in the couple's marital residence since his detention, and their kid is staying with his mother.
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella reportedly had past dispute over 'control and belittlement'
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella got engaged later in 2019 following their public relationship disclosure. The couple welcomed their son, Matteo, in 2020.
According to People, the two started marriage counseling in the same year to help them be better parents to their little son.
On 'The Tamron Hall Show,' Bella revealed that she and the dancer were receiving counseling, "mainly just to be amazing parents and knowing how to balance parent life out and also our own relationship."
According to the New York Post, "control and belittlement" were the main topics of their past disputes. Bella previously revealed that she and Chigvintsev attended couples therapy because of her husband's harsh behavior.
In November 2021, the former WWE wrestler stated on 'The Bellas' podcast that although the pair had gone through a "rocky" period in their relationship, they were still "stronger than ever," per Daily Mail.
And in 2023, Bella—who had just broken her silence on Chigvintsev's arrest—revealed that she and Artem had gotten into a "pretty bad" argument before their 2022 wedding.
Bella said on an episode of E!'s 'Nikki Says I Do,' "Artem and I got into a pretty bad argument last night."
Bella continued that the main point of contention was that Chigvintsev and their son were leaving for Turkey while she remained in France.
"They're going to be in Turkey for four days, which is giving me massive anxiety... It definitely caused a lot of tension and tension that is still there," she said at the time.
"I do feel like she doubts my ability at being with Matteo and being his dad. I can handle the situation," Chigvintsev replied.
Chigvintsev and Bella had celebrated their second wedding anniversary three days before his domestic violence arrest.
