Nikki Bella Husband Update: Inside Nikki Garcia And Artem Chigvintsev’s Current Relationship Status

WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia (formerly known as Nikki Bella) and professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev continue to make headlines as they navigate the aftermath of their highly publicized legal and personal split. As of August 2026, the former Dancing with the Stars partners remain separated and are focused on co-parenting their young son, Matteo, following a turbulent period that reshaped their lives, brands, and family dynamic.

Context & Background

The relationship between Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev began publicly in 2019 after they were partnered on the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars. The couple quickly became a fan favorite, leading to their engagement, the birth of their son Matteo in August 2020, and a romantic wedding in Paris in August 2022. Their lives were heavily documented on reality television, showcasing what appeared to be a stable and supportive partnership.

However, the dynamic shifted drastically in late August 2024. Chigvintsev was arrested on domestic violence charges in California, a shocking development that quickly dominated entertainment news cycles. Following the incident, Garcia immediately removed her wedding ring and filed for divorce in September 2024, citing irreconcilable differences and requesting sole legal and physical custody of their son. Although the local district attorney ultimately decided not to file formal criminal charges against Chigvintsev later that year, the marital rift remained permanent.

Impact & Utility

The dissolution of their marriage has had significant professional and personal implications for both individuals, extending well into 2026. For Nikki Garcia, the split accelerated a broader rebranding effort. Alongside her twin sister, Brie, she fully retired the "Bella" moniker—owned by WWE—and transitioned to their birth name, the Garcia Twins, establishing a distinct corporate and public identity.

Key impacts of the separation include:

• Co-Parenting Dynamics: Court filings throughout 2025 established structured visitation rights, allowing both parents to remain active in Matteo's life while minimizing direct contact between the former spouses.
• Rebranding and Business: Nikki has focused heavily on her entrepreneurial endeavors, hosting television projects, expanding her wine label, and growing the The Garcia Twins podcast.
• Privacy and Legal Boundaries: Both parties have utilized non-disclosure agreements and strict boundaries regarding what can be shared publicly about their ongoing custody and asset division negotiations.

This separation served as a turning point for celebrity crisis management, as Garcia received widespread industry praise for her swift, decisive actions to protect her family and her brand value during a highly sensitive personal crisis.

What's Next

Looking forward through the remainder of 2026, both Garcia and Chigvintsev are carving out entirely separate paths. Nikki Garcia continues to solidify her status as an influential television host, entrepreneur, and advocate for women's empowerment, keeping her personal life largely out of the spotlight to protect her son’s privacy.

Meanwhile, Chigvintsev has kept a relatively low profile, focusing on private dance instruction, choreography, and rebuilding his professional reputation away from mainstream reality television networks. While the formal legal finalization of their divorce continues to be processed quietly by their legal teams, both have made it clear that their romantic chapter is officially closed, with their sole shared interest being the healthy upbringing of their son.