Nikki Garcia’s Sister Brie Garcia Sends Message to Trauma Victims After Alleged Artem Chigvintsev Fight
Brie Garcia spoke directly to victims, encouraging them to fight for better, amid sister Nikki Garcia’s ongoing legal battle with estranged husband Artem Chigvintsev.
Brie Garcia is sharing an important message.
As her sister Nikki Garcia continues to be locked in a family dispute with her estranged husband Artem Chigvintsev, Brie issued an impassioned message to those navigating challenging times.
“The last week, when I’ve seen trauma, that’s the sadness that has come,” she shared on the Oct. 4 episode of The Nikki & Brie Show podcast. “And it’s crazy, because when we are looking trauma in the face and we’re seeing it, all you want to do is help.”
Brie—who hosted the episode solo—continued, “Sometimes what trauma can do to us is it can make us hide in our shells. It can make us run back to certain situations that cause the pain it can literally make us just let go, give up all the different feelings because it’s painful. It doesn’t feel good.”
Which is why she wants women dealing with trauma to know they’re not alone. “Nikki, myself, and a whole army of women are here to support and help you,” she added. “Give you strength. Give you confidence. Don’t take the shit anymore.”
The 40-year-old continued, “If you are in a situation that is toxic, that’s not good, time to say, ‘Game over.’ It is hard to be strong. It’s hard to be confident. Please stop, look in the mirror, put yourself first.”
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXMBrie’s passionate message comes after Nikki—who filed for divorce from Artem on Sept. 11, following his Aug. 29 arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence—was granted a temporary restraining order against Artem, per TMZ.
“Due to the incident that led to Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has decided to file for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect herself and her son,” the former WWE star’s reps said in a statement TMZ. “Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected.”
Instagram/Artem ChigvintsevThe order keeps Artem—whose criminal charges were dropped by prosecutors Sept. 24—from contacting or coming within 100 yards of Nikki, their 4-year-old Matteo or their home, per the outlet, except for court-ordered visitation or exchange of their son.
In the paperwork requesting the restraining order, which Nikki submitted at the Napa County courthouse, she detailed alleging multiple instances of physical attacks from Artem, claiming the 42-year-old “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present.”
She also claimed Artem became “increasingly angry” after learning he was not asked back to DWTS, including “snapping” and “yelling.”
E! News reached out to lawyers for Nikki and Artem at the time but did not hear back.
But amid the ongoing situation, the Total Bellas alum noted her priority remains Matteo.
“Nikki’s number one priority has always been the wellbeing of her son,” her rep added in their statement. “She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received and continues to ask for privacy for her and her family during this difficult time.”
It is a sentiment echoed by Artem.
“He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life,” he said of Matteo in a statement to E! News Sept. 25. “I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.”
The dancer also expressed his gratitude for the charges against him being dropped, adding, “This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed.”
For more on Artem’s legal battle following his arrest, keep reading.
Napa County Department of CorrectionsWhen Was Artem Chigvintsev Arrested?
Artem Chigvintsev was arrested shortly before 10 a.m. on Aug. 29, Napa County Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Officer Henry Wofford confirmed to E! News.
Wofford noted the Dancing With the Stars pro did not was resist and was taken to the Napa County Department of Corrections. Chigvintsev was booked on a charge of felony domestic violence with a bail set at $25,000, per online records.
Kelsey McNeal/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesWhen Was Artem Chigvintsev Released From Custody?
The professional dancer posted bail and was released from custody at 2:18 p.m. on Aug.29, Wofford confirmed to E! News. A court date has yet to be announced.
Kelsey McNeal/ABC via Getty ImagesWhat Else Have Authorities Said About Artem Chigvintsev’s Arrest?
While Wofford told NBC News Chigvintsev was arrested in Yountville, Calif, he did not reveal the exact location due to a request for privacy from the alleged victim.
As a result of this request, he added, the Sheriff is also not releasing the name, gender or age of the alleged victim or the individual’s relationship to Chigvintsev. However, Wofford did have this to say about the arrest.
“When someone is charged with felony domestic violence usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eyewitness,” he told E! News, “our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges.”
“Of course this could change with more evidence that might come through,” Wofford continued, “but at the time of the arrest the deputies felt it was a felony charge instead of a misdemeanor.”
He also shared why victims may choose to keep personal information private in these cases.
“Some victims may not feel comfortable sharing all details at time the suspect is arrested,” Wofford noted. “Some victims feel embarrassed, threatened, or fear the incident may impact their family. We have to give victims adequate time and support, which help them realize we are here to help.”
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagicIn an audio recording shared by TMZ Aug. 30, a dispatcher can be heard saying Chigvintsev had initially called 911 to request medical attention after an argument in which shoes were allegedly thrown at him. However, the dispatcher said the 42-year-old later stated that medical help was no longer needed.
Still, Wofford said authorities continued with their check.
“For domestic violence, if someone picks up the phone and says, ‘You don’t have to come after all,’ we’re still going to go for a welfare check,” he told Page Six. “We’re not just going to stop what we’re doing.”
Kelsey McNeal/ABC via Getty ImagesWhat Has Artem Chigvintsev Said About the Arrest?
As of Aug. 30, Chigvintsev has yet to speak publicly on the arrest or 911 call. E! News has reached out to his rep for comment but has yet to hear back.
David Livingston/Getty ImagesWill the Arrest Affect Artem Chigvintsev’s Future on Dancing With the Stars?
Chigvintsev’s arrest came less than three weeks prior to Dancing With the Stars’ season 33 premiere. However, the past Mirrorball winner—who’s appeared on 12 seasons of the competition series—was not set to be a part of this season’s cast, Page Six and Variety reported.
E! News has reached out to ABC for comment but has yet to hear back.
Instagram/Nikki GarciaHas Artem Chigvintsev’s Wife Nikki Garcia Said Anything About His Arrest?
A rep for Nikki Garcia—who met Chigvintsev when they were paired together on season 25 of Dancing With the Stars in 2017—spoke out about his arrest the day after his booking and release.
“This is a private matter,” the rep told E! News Aug. 30, “and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”
Chigvintsev’s arrest came three days after he and Garcia—who share 4-year-old son Matteo—celebrated their second wedding anniversary.
“Happy anniversary my love,” the ballroom dancer wrote on Instagram Aug. 26. “can’t see my life with out you. You are my everything.”
In her own post, the former WWE star quoted the lyrics from Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and posted throwback footage of the couple in Paris, where they got married in 2022.
“This song is our love story,” she wrote in the caption. “I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be. Happy Anniversary @theartemc I love you!”
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images/Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesHave Any Dancing With the Stars Pros Spoken Out About Artem Chigvintsev’s Arrest?
Shortly after Chigvintsev’s arrest, Cheryl Burke—who retired as a Dancing With the Stars pro in 2022 after 26 seasons on the show—shared her reaction to the news.
Noting Chigvintsev is someone she grew up with and lived with at one time, Burke said on her podcast Sex, Lies and Spray Tans that she was in “complete shock” over his arrest.
“My heart goes out to everyone involved,” she shared on the Aug. 30 episode, noting it was recorded the day before. “It’s just really hard for me because he was my family. I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody’s OK.”
In a clip of her podcast posted to TikTok, Burke also shared resources.
JOCE/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesWhat Is Happening to Artem Chigvintsev’s Domestic Violence Case?
Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley shared on Sept. 24, 2024, that her office will not be filing charges against Chigvintsev following a “thorough review of the criminal investigation and careful evaluation of the evidence presented to the DA’s Office.”
“If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available,” she wrote in the caption. “Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to…https://www.thehotline.org/.”
InstagramDoes Artem Chigvintsev Have Custody of His and Nikki Garcia’s Son Matteo?
In a Sept. 25, 2024 statement to E! News, Chigvintsev said he was “incredibly relieved and grateful” that his domestic violence charge was dropped.
“This has been an extremely difficult time for me,” he shared. “I am thankful that the truth has prevailed.”
The dancer added that he is “hopeful” in securing an equal co-parenting arrangement with Garcia, who requested for sole legal and physical custody of their son Matteo in her to Sept. 11 divorce filing.
Chigvintsev said, “I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be.”
Hollywood To You/Star Max/GC ImagesHas Nikki Garcia Made Allegations Against Artem Chigvintsev?
Garcia obtained a restraining order against her ex after stating in a petition obtained by TMZ that Chigvintsev “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present.”
“Due to the incident that led to Artem’s arrest on August 29, 2024, Nikki has decided to file for a temporary Domestic Violence Restraining Order to protect herself and her son,” Nikki’s reps said in a statement TMZ. “Although Nikki requested that the Napa District Attorney not file charges against Artem as she did not want him to go to jail, he must still be held accountable for his actions, and Nikki and her son must be protected.”
