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Nikki Garcia is breaking her silence on the painful end of her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev, a separation that has captivated public attention in recent months. The couple finalized their divorce on November 21, 2024, following a tumultuous legal battle.
This came after a highly publicized domestic incident in late August, when Chigvintsev was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence. Although no charges were filed, the arrest became a pivotal moment in their relationship, leading to a series of legal and personal challenges.
In a heartfelt conversation on the Nikki & Brie podcast, Garcia reflected on the emotional toll of the past few months. She admitted, "It's been really tough. I've been heartbroken, sad. You dream of having this family, and it just goes the other way." Despite the pain, Garcia's primary concern has been the well-being of their four-year-old son, Matteo, whom they co-parent. She shared that her decision to step back from social media was motivated by the need to focus on her son's privacy and her own healing.
The arrest, which took place on August 29, 2024, came just days after the couple's second wedding anniversary. Chigvintsev was taken into custody and later released after posting bail, but the incident led to a flurry of public and legal fallout. Garcia filed for divorce soon after, listing the arrest as the official date of separation. Although both parties were granted protective orders against each other, they eventually dropped these orders when they reached a divorce settlement in November.
Garcia, has expressed shock over the turn of events. She revealed that she never saw their relationship ending in such a painful way. "You go from having a great love story to having a terrible one," she reflected, acknowledging the deep personal struggle of reconciling her public image with the private turmoil she was enduring.
While the situation has been deeply personal, the public scrutiny has also been difficult for Garcia. She shared, "People weren't there that day... you're always going to have people assume things." Despite the challenges, she remains focused on moving forward, stating that her healing and her son's well-being are her top priorities.
For his part, Chigvintsev has denied the allegations of abuse, claiming that Garcia was the aggressor during the confrontation. Following the legal resolution, he expressed gratitude that the domestic violence charges were dropped, stating, "I am thankful that the truth has prevailed."
Chigvintsev emphasized that his focus remains on being the best father he can be, while Garcia, despite the hardship, is resolute in her desire to protect her son from further trauma.
