Artem Chigvintsev's fate on 'DWTS' was already decided even before shocking domestic violence arrest
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The arrest of dancer Artem Chigvintsev has clouded his professional future.
On Thursday morning, August 29, in the serene yet scandal-shrouded Napa Valley, California, the 'Dancing With The Stars' performer found himself engulfed in a controversy that could potentially destroy both his career and reputation.
Artem Chigvintsev's sudden arrest in Napa Valley
Artem Chigvintsev's Thursday began with a rather unexpected twist. At around 10 am, the 41-year-old dance pro was arrested by Napa County authorities. The exact details of the incident remain under wraps at this time, but the arrest warrant cited a grave charge: “felony corporal injury to spouse.”
Many are speculating that the alleged victim might be none other than his wife, Nikki Garcia, known to wrestling fans as the former WWE star Nikki Bella.
Interestingly, it has emerged that the producers of 'Dancing With The Stars' had already decided on Artem's fate for the upcoming 33rd season even before his shocking arrest. According to People, producers had no intention of including Artem in the new season’s lineup - a decision made well before Thursday’s events.
The decision to bench Artem, however, wasn’t entirely out of the ordinary. As industry insiders know, 'DWTS' routinely rotates professional dancers based on the celebrity castings each season.
So, while Artem’s absence might have raised eyebrows, it wasn’t necessarily a punitive measure but part of a broader strategy employed by the show to keep the competition fresh and unpredictable. However, the timing of this decision has led to rampant speculation about his future on the show.
Artem Chigvintsev faces uncertain future
The cast for the new season of 'Dancing With The Stars' is set to be officially announced on 'Good Morning America' next Wednesday. Fans will be eager to see which stars will grace the ballroom floor this time around, but one thing is certain: Artem Chigvintsev will not be among them.
His exclusion from the lineup carries an entirely different weight in the wake of his arrest. What was once a routine rotation now feels like a preemptive move in response to a brewing scandal, Perez Hilton noted.
Artem has been a staple on 'DWTS', garnering a fan base with his passion for dance. Over the past 12 seasons, he has partnered with a variety of celebrities. Most recently, he danced alongside former Bachelorette Charity Lawson, where the duo impressed the judges and finished in fourth place.
His crowning moment came in 2020 when he won the coveted mirrorball trophy with 'Bachelorette' alum Kaitlyn Bristowe.
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella relationship in spotlight
Artem’s relationship with Nikki Garcia has been a tabloid favorite ever since they met on the set of 'DWTS' in 2017. Nikki was still engaged to wrestling superstar John Cena at the time, but their relationship ended a year later.
Shortly after, Nikki and Artem reconnected and eventually confirmed their romance in 2019. The couple quickly became the talk of the town and they announced their engagement in 2020. That same year, they welcomed their first child - a son named Matteo.
Their love story seemed like something out of a Hollywood script - two stars from different worlds finding love in the most unexpected place. But with the recent allegations, their relationship may not have been all it was propped up to be.
Artem has since been released from the Napa County Jail after posting a $25,000 bail. However, the charge against him is serious and could potentially end his career if found guilty. 'Dancing With The Stars' is set to continue without him when it premieres on Tuesday, September 17, on ABC and Disney+.
