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Nikki Garcia Breaks Her Silence On “Heartbreaking” Divorce From Artem Chigvintsev
There's no place like home.
Nikki Garcia returned to her hometown of Brawley, Calif., to spend some quality time with family and old friends as she reconnects with her roots after finalizing her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev.
Less than two weeks after wiping her Instagram account clean, the former WWE personality shared a slideshow of photos from her time in the town she and twin sister Brie Garcia were raised in, which included a visit to their former school and spending time with their grandmother, Nana.
"It's been 5 years since I've been back," Nikki captioned her Dec. 7 Instagram post. "Truly needed to be back surrounded by incredible childhood memories, family traditions and my B Town fam. There's nothing like Drummer Boy weekend."
The 41-year-old—who shares 4-year-old son Matteo with Artem—had previously stated that her main priority after her split was find peace and recovery for her and her son.
"All I need to do is focus on my healing," she said on the Dec. 2 episode of The Nikki & Brie Show. "I need to focus on Matteo's healing."
The Total Bellas alum spoke on her divorce for the first time during the same episode of her podcast, which she took a three-month break from during the tumultuous time.
"I'm going to try my best not to get too emotional in this episode," she said. "But I first want to just thank everyone, the listeners, you, family, friends, coworkers, people I haven't talked to in a long time, just for all the love and support, for the respect of privacy and space."
"The past few months, I disconnected from social media, from the world. And I just knew that I needed to disconnect, because first things first, I'm a mom and my son's protection and privacy is the most important," Nikki continued. "So I was going to do whatever it took for that, most importantly, and then just needing space, for healing, for facing trauma, head on, all of that. So it's been tough. It's been really tough. I've been heartbroken, sad."
The former reality star also reflected on what it was like having her dream life taken away from her.
Instagram/Nikki Garcia
"You dream of having this family, and you have this incredible love," she shared, "and it just goes the other way. And you go from having a great love story to having a terrible one, and—never saw any of it coming. You know, as far as what the ending would be. So it's just been a struggle."
In August, Artem was arrested on a suspicion of felony domestic violence charge, but the case against him was ultimately dropped. The former couple also both agreed to drop their dual restraining orders against one another when they settled their divorce.
Their split resulted in speculation online that Nikki tried not to let her affect her much.
"The one thing that I have realized disconnecting from the world, it's when you know the truth, nothing else matters," she explained. "So when some of you would come to me and tell me what people were saying or what was out there, it would affect me in some way, but because I know the truth, and I actually lived it, it didn't have a big effect on me."
Keep reading for more on Nikki 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.
English (US) ·