Nikki Garcia Files Restraining Order On Artem Chigvintsev for Domestic Abuse!
Nikki Garcia Files Restraining Order On Artem Chigvintsev for Domestic Abuse!
Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev, once a picture-perfect couple, are now entangled in a legal battle that has shocked their fans. Following an August 29 incident, both filed for domestic violence restraining orders, each claiming the other was the aggressor. The couple, who share a 4-year-old son Matteo, have since separated, with Nikki filing for divorce on September 11.
Dispute in the Kitchen
According to court documents, the incident began over a disagreement about how their son’s English muffin should be toasted. Nikki claims that Artem’s temper has worsened since he was cut from Dancing with the Stars, stating that the argument escalated when he became angry over how she toasted their son’s breakfast. Nikki alleged that Artem had a history of anger issues and grew increasingly hostile, ultimately leading to the heated altercation.
However, in his own court filing, Artem portrayed a different story, claiming that Nikki was the one who escalated the situation. He noted that she had been stressed due to work and became angry over how he packed Matteo’s lunch. When he tried to calm the situation by leaving the room, Garcia allegedly followed him, throwing their son’s sneakers at him.
“She completely lost it,” Artem claimed, explaining that his calm responses only made things worse. “I tried to get her to stop,” he said, alleging that Nikki’s actions led to him calling 911.
Clashing Accounts of the Physical Altercation
The conflicting stories don’t end there. Nikki admitted to throwing the shoes but minimized the incident, claiming that the toddler-sized shoes “weigh hardly anything and could not have hurt him.” According to her, Artem then took their son upstairs as Matteo screamed for his mother. Nikki alleged that Artem locked her out of the room, escalating the situation further when she tried to get back in to see Matteo.
Artem, however, described the situation differently. He claimed that he took Matteo upstairs to deescalate the situation and shield him from further conflict, but Nikki forced her way into the room, leading to a physical confrontation. “There was a mutual struggle, and both ended up on the ground,” Artem said, claiming that he was simply trying to protect their son from witnessing the argument.
Nikki, in her filing, described the altercation more dramatically, stating that Artem “tackled,” her to the ground and pinned her down in their bathroom. She claimed that his hands were pressing down on her chest so hard that she felt like she was suffocating, adding that she had to grab his neck to get him off her. “There was nothing else I could do,” she wrote.
Artem has since denied the allegations, with his attorney stating, “He was shocked to learn two weeks after the incident that she made this allegation against him.” The attorney added that Artem’s career has suffered as a result of the allegations, with multiple opportunities being canceled.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Artem was ultimately arrested following the incident, although Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced on September 24 that no criminal charges would be filed against him. Despite this, Nikki successfully obtained a restraining order against him on September 30, which prohibits him from contacting her.
Artem, in turn, filed for his own protective order against Nikki on October 3, and it was granted the following day. Both parties are due in court on October 21 for a full hearing on the restraining orders. Representatives for Nikki issued a statement, saying, “Nikki’s number one priority has always been the well-being of her son,” while urging for privacy during this difficult time.
Looking Ahead
As both sides prepare for the upcoming court hearing, the future remains uncertain for the former couple. Nikki, who met Artem on Dancing with the Stars in 2017, filed for divorce after two years of marriage, a move that shocked many fans. The court hearing will likely determine the next steps in their legal battle, but for now, the focus remains on protecting their son, Matteo, as both Nikki and Artem seek to move forward.
New episodes of Dancing with the Stars continue to air, but for these two former dancers, the spotlight is currently on their personal lives as they navigate a complex and highly publicized separation.
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Olivia Davis is a Staff Writer at All About The Tea. Olivia’s hobbies include binging Netflix series, and watching Housewives on Bravo. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in History.