Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia have managed to reach a peaceful compromise in their ongoing divorce. The couple has been embroiled in an ugly battle following their split and Chigvintsev’s domestic violence arrest in August. Although charges against the Dancing With the Stars pro were dropped, he faced another legal battle with his ex-wife. Between fighting over their finances and custody of their son, things appeared to be getting messy. But in a surprising turn of events, the exes settled their divorce.
According to TMZ, Chigvintsev and Garcia attended mediation earlier this month, where they worked out an agreement. Details of the settlement haven’t been disclosed, but the couple will share custody of their son Matteo.
A source tells the news outlet that both sides were eager to settle their divorce. “They both want to move on, in part because it was getting very expensive to pay lawyers…plus the whole process was becoming emotionally draining.”
As for what their relationship is like these days, the source says they “aren’t exactly getting along.” However, the exes are “cooperating and their relationship is very much a work in progress.”
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia’s Relationship Before Their Divorce
Chigvintsev and Garcia first met in 2017 when they were paired together for Season 25 of Dancing With the Stars. The two had amazing chemistry on and off the dance floor and remained friends after the show ended. In 2019, she and Chigvintsev began dating, months after she ended her engagement to John Cena.
By 2020, the couple had become engaged and Garcia gave birth to their son, Matteo. Two years after their engagement, the couple tied the knot in July 2022.
Everything seemed to be going well for the couple, but Chigvintsev’s arrest showed otherwise.
Following his arrest and the divorce filing, reports surfaced that the couple’s marriage was in trouble for a while. In the aftermath, Chigvintsev and Garcia filed restraining orders against each other, alleging the other was the aggressor during the domestic dispute.
Whatever happened is now in the past, since the exes are concentrating on moving forward.
In a statement, Garcia’s rep says:
Both parties decided to drop the domestic violence restraining orders against each other in an effort to move on with their lives and effectively co-parent their son. Nikki’s number one priority has always been her son and privacy on the matter.
Hopefully, everything works out for Artem and Nikki as they move forward separately and as co-parents.