Cheryl Burke is in “shock” over friend and former fellow Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev’s domestic violence arrest. The Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans podcast host told Yahoo Entertainment that her heart goes out to his estranged wife, Nikki Garcia, and their 4-year-old son, Matteo, as they now navigate a public divorce.
“I was in shock, you know? It’s sad,” Burke says. “I wish every single person — Nikki, Artem, Matteo — I hope everybody’s OK. And I hope they take the time to really focus on themselves and heal through this all.”
On Aug. 29, Chigvintsev was arrested and booked on a charge of felony domestic violence in Napa, Calif. The incident took place at their home, three days after the couple’s second wedding anniversary. Garcia filed for divorce on Sept. 11.
“All of a sudden this goes from their own personal issue to now everybody talking about it. It’s overwhelming, I can’t even imagine,” Burke continues. “And I just hope everybody takes the time needed to just grieve because it’s not easy. Like I’ve been through — I’m not comparing the situation — but having been through a divorce, a public divorce, it sucks.”
Burke filed for divorce from actor Matthew Lawrence in February 2022 after less than three years of marriage.
Chigvintsev and Garcia first met in 2017 when they were paired together on Dancing With the Stars, although the ex-WWE wrestler, formerly known as Nikki Bella, was engaged to John Cena at the time. They got together the following year when Garcia ended her relationship with Cena.
Neither Garcia nor Chigvintsev has publicly addressed what happened. Although police withheld the victim’s name after the August incident, media outlets identified that person as Garcia. “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,” her rep said at the time.
Garcia is seeking legal and physical custody of Matteo, with Chigvintsev being allowed visitation rights. In his divorce petition, Chigvintsev requested joint custody and spousal support.
“At this time, Mr. Chigvintsev will not comment on any pending proceeding,” his attorney, Ilona Antonyan, told People on Sept. 17. “The parties are focused on co-parenting and working together for the best interests of their son.”
Antonyan said Chigvintsev has no financial motivations and that the request was essentially a formality, as “the parties intend to resolve all pending issues on mutually acceptable terms.”
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