Nikki Bella Is ‘Still Healing’ After Divorce From Artem Chigvintsev
Nikki Garcia (formerly known as Nikki Bella) revealed that she’s taking time to mend after her divorce from Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev.
The former WWE wrestler, 41, and her twin sister Brie Bella were spending time in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl 2025, and Brie expressed her hopes that Nikki would be ready to mingle with potential new beaus.
“I’m like, ‘Nicole, this is your first time being single at Super Bowl,’” Brie explained to People in an interview shared to Instagram on Friday, February 7. “I already am thinking and listening.”
However, Nikki was quick to cut her sister off and said, “Girl, I’m still healing, please.”
Nikki said that she felt like Brie “was more excited” about her possibly finding someone new than she, herself, was, but Brie explained that she was living vicariously through her twin.
“Listen, I’m in an amazing marriage. We’ve been married 10 years, together for 14, and I’m like, ‘I get to have some fun through you now!’” Brie told the outlet.
Nikki admitted she “would be lying” if she said she wasn’t noticing some of the men in the Big Easy for the game and added that there was “a lot” of eye candy to feast upon.
The Total Bellas alum was previously married to Artem, 42, but their marriage came to a shocking end when he was arrested for domestic assault on August 29, 2024. TMZ reported that the Russia native had initially placed a call to 9-1-1 for a medical emergency, but he canceled the request while the paramedics were en route. He was placed under arrest and released later that same day after making his $25,000 bail.
Nikki filed for divorce on September 11, 2024, and the charges against Artem were eventually dropped.
“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped. This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed,” Artem said in a statement to multiple outlets on September 25, 2024.
Their divorce was finalized in November 2024, and the following month the former Total Divas star revealed she was still having a hard time with their split.
“I’m going to try my best not to get too emotional in this episode,” Nikki told Brie during the December 2, 2024, episode of the “Nikki and Brie Show” podcast. “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 my privacy and space.”
Nikki went on to explain why she had decided to take a break from social media after her and Artem’s divorce.
“First things first, I’m a mom. And my son’s protection and privacy is the most important,” the former professional wrestler 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.”