Artem Chigvintsev Shoots Down ‘Incorrect’ Reports He Wants to Reconcile with Wife Nikki Garcia (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Artem Chigvintsev (L) and Nikki Garcia in December 2019.Photo:Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

Artem Chigvintsevis setting the record straight on his future withNikki Garcia.

Garcia, 40,filed for divorceafter two years of marriage in September, shortly after formerDancing with the Starspro Chigvintsev, 42,was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violenceon Aug. 29. He was released from custody the same day on $25,000 bail. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced her officedecided to decline to file criminal chargesagainst Chigvintsev. He and Garcia are bothclaiming the other was the aggressorin the incident.

In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Oct. 16, Chigvintsev shot down reports that he wants to get back with Garcia.

“The reporting that I wanted to reconcile with Nikki is incorrect," he said. According to his attorney Ilona Antonyan, Chigvintsev has had no communication with his ex since early October.

Artem Chigvintsev (L) and Nikki Bella attend FOX’s Teen Choice Awards 2019 on August 11, 2019 in Hermosa Beach, California.Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

In response, he filed court docsrequesting joint legal and physical custodyof Matteo andspousal supporton Sept. 16.

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The estranged spouses, who were each recentlygranted restraining ordersagainst one another, hadcelebrated their second wedding anniversaryin August, just days before Chigvintsev’s arrest.

To mark the occasion, Chigvintsev posted anInstagramimage from their wedding day, writing, “Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life with out you," and Garcia shared a montage viaInstagramof their love story with the lyrics toElvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love" written out in the caption.

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Nikki Bella, Artem Chigvintsev, and their son Matteo.Nikki Bella/Instagram

Nikki Bella/Instagram

Chigvintsev’s attorney, Antonyan, told PEOPLE on Sept. 17 that he and Garcia are prioritizing Matteo amid their split.

“The parties are focused on co-parenting and working together for the best interests of their son,” says Antonyan.

Referencing Chigvintsev’srequest for spousal support, Antonyan explained, “As a standard practice, the divorce response preserves Mr. Chigvintsev’s financial rights to support and fees. Failure to check these boxes in the responsive pleadings waives the right to seek such remedies. There is no motion pending for spousal support or fees, also known as the Request for Order.”

The attorney added that the “parties intend to resolve all pending issues on mutually acceptable terms.”

source: people.com