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Nikki Garcia Opens WAY Up In First Interview Since Artem Chigvintsev Divorce & DV Arrest: 'Still Get Moments Of Heartache'

Nikki Garcia Opens WAY Up In First Interview Since Artem Divorce & DV Arrest: 'Still Get Moments Of Heartache'

Nearly six months after Artem Chigvintsev’s domestic violence arrest and Nikki Garcia’s subsequent divorce filings, the former WWE champ is checking in with fans in her first interview since.

As we’ve been keeping up with, Artem was arrested in August for domestic violence just days after his and Nikki’s second wedding anniversary. The arrest followed an alleged altercation between the pair in their Napa Valley home. Weeks later, Nikki filed for divorce and the pair sought temporary restraining orders against one another. In Nikki’s filings, she claimed there was a history of domestic violence, some of which in front of their 4-year-old son Matteo. The two eventually settled their divorce and dropped their respective restraining orders, but not before Nikki took a major step back from the spotlight.

In December, she returned to her and sister Brie’s The Nikki & Brie Show podcast after a three-month hiatus… And now she’s laying all her cards on the table.

In an all-encompassing interview with Us Weekly published on Tuesday, the 40-year-old noted she’s “definitely finding more moments of joy” months after her tumultuous split. She added she’s feeling “stronger” everyday and is “excited to just live this new era of me.” She told the outlet:

“I have to say that 2025 has been amazing so far for me. I’ve really taken the time to kind of date myself. I have days where I get to focus a lot on me and self-care and just really get to know who I am in my 40s. I feel like I have this whole new era to look at, and I get to choose how I want to be and [where to] take it.”

Related: Rachael Kirkconnell Shares The TRUTH About Matt James Breakup — He Did Her DIRTY!!!

On stepping back from the public eye, the reality TV star dished:

“Everything was very shocking, all of it. And I think that was a main reason why I knew I had to disconnect. I was in shock. You couldn’t have ever told me that this would’ve been the ending of my 2024 or my marriage — [I] wouldn’t have believed you. It takes a long time to process something. I needed that disconnection to process everything that happened.”

We can only imagine how difficult it’s been to process everything… But she’s certainly learned a lot in her downtime:

“I couldn’t get through [it] without my therapist, without my mom [Kathy Colace], without Brie. I needed them, and I needed their love — whether it was hugs or just sitting and letting me cry and vent, or meeting up with Matteo and having a happy time. Whatever it is, your team is so important. You need people around you to [not only] empower you, but to love you and to let you feel the emotions.”

On the note of her family, Nikki revealed her twin had been VERY vocal about her thoughts on Artem:

“Brie’s been very vocal. She said that she felt like this relationship should end long before it did. She always felt we were just two different people trying to make it work. But my mom was a huge supporter of [me and Artem]. She was actually flying in [the] day [of the incident] to spend the whole weekend with us.”

Twin knows best!

As far as she felt nervous returning to her podcast after three months, Nikki explained:

“Definitely. We hear it from anyone in the public eye — [they] talk about the trolls on the internet. It’s wild. That was probably my biggest fear. And then my therapist [Cari Rose], she’s my life coach as well, was like, ‘There are more people in this world that need your message than troll you.’ It gives me chills now. And I go, ‘Amen to that, because that is the truth.’”

So very true. And so very brave!

Nikki explained the reaction from her fans “was overwhelming in such a great way. I didn’t realize disconnecting for a long time — then taking the high road for my son and trying to be as private as possible — how much that would inspire people.”

That’s amazing! But explaining things to little Matteo hasn’t been as great:

“I’ve used words like divorce, [but] it’s only been when he’s asked. Everything’s kind of been about us just having our own homes. You get to go see Mommy and you get to go see Daddy. On Christmas, we made sure we were both there when we baked Santa’s cookies. Matteo went to bed and we both were there when he woke up. Because he’s our focus, we want to keep those moments.”

That’s so hard. But it’s so great to hear she and Artem are both really prioritizing him.

On co-parenting, the pro wrestler noted:

“What’s crazy about coparenting is you get a schedule. It’s wild that one day it’s like, ‘OK, here are the days you get your son,’ and that’s just what you do. For me, that part is incredibly tough. I had never been in our home without him. So getting through those days is extremely difficult because I just love being around my son so much.”

But while it may be tough for her, she revealed “Matteo’s OK and not affected. So that makes it easy. He’s happy to go to both homes.”

That’s good to hear.

As far as whether she has any regrets, Nikki dished:

“No, I can’t have regrets like that. I feel like things happen for a reason. I’m stronger today than I’ve ever been. And that’s not only for myself, but for Matteo. I feel like being a mother and wanting the best for my son and knowing I’ll do whatever it takes for him to have that makes you incredibly strong.”

Nikki went on to reveal that she feels her best “when I work out”:

“Anytime I break a sweat, I feel like I can conquer the world. It’s one of the best forms of therapy I can do. I’ve [also] been making playlists and just dancing. I’ve been having so much fun because I felt like I lost a part of me, not my sex appeal, but I was like, ‘Girl, are you even sexy anymore? Let’s try to loosen you up.’ So I’ve been trying to dance a lot by myself in the mirror, just seeing how I can move my body.”

But don’t be fooled — she definitely still has her down days:

“I still get moments of heartache for sure, when an event comes up, or you drive by something or a song comes on. I know in time that will get better. But overall, I feel a lot of joy in my heart and feel so grateful. I have so much gratitude [for] my family, my health.”

Awwww.

As far as her healing journey goes, the mom of one explained:

“For me, focusing on healing is totally mind, body, soul. I fully took out [alcohol] for months. I didn’t want anything to be in my body that can make me feel more emotional or sad or depressed. I focused on putting good nutrients in my body and upped my vitamins and [did] whatever I knew could help my inside be physically strong. Then, I work[ed] on the mental part. And honestly, it’s been incredible to my healing.”

And as for if she’s drinking again, she noted:

“I’m at a place where I save it for special occasions. And since I’ve gotten into my 40s, Brie and I both can’t do more than two drinks because the hangovers are for real now — and they’re like three days! But it’s crazy because the past few months really opened my eyes to how I see things more clearly.”

Nikki also addressed some of the misconceptions about her:

“I think the one thing people get very shocked about is how empathetic [I am]. I truly have a big heart, and I wear it on my sleeve, which can be hard at times. But I’m very soft [with] people. And I think it’s because when you see your own father go through life being addicted to drugs and abuse, but then overcome it — he’s such an incredible man. I think when people meet me and even Brie, they’re like, gosh, those girls have so much love to give, and they’re so understanding. And I think it’s just been our journey and what we’ve gone through.”

But she’s not cut off from love:

“I do. I truly feel people come into your life for a reason. People come in, and they teach us things. And sometimes, when those loves don’t work out, you have to look and go, “What did I learn and what did I gain?” Because there’s always beauty in it.”

In fact, when it comes to dating again, she dished:

“I can definitely see myself falling in love again. I don’t think it’ll be anytime soon. I think it’s going to take me a while to get back in that place and also to just feel confident about my body.”

But despite looking amazing, it’ll take some time to regain her confidence. Nikki noted:

“I feel great, but it’s like when I’m naked, you just kind of sadly start to dissect yourself. What if the person isn’t a dad and he doesn’t understand a ‘mom bod?’ Like you can’t date someone younger because then he’s going to be like, ‘Oh, she has an older body,’ or my boobs kind of sag from nursing. I’m not going to just give that up. I need to be in a good place for that. Mama needs her groove back first for herself.”

As far as a future marriage and more kids, Nikki revealed:

“I don’t ever want to sign paperwork again. If I find the right person, I don’t mind [a commitment ceremony], but I don’t want to be legally [bound] … I definitely do not want more kids. I am fine.”

She explained:

“Just being 41, and I feel like I’m back to being myself finally. I’m just getting out of the toddler years and I don’t want to go back. I’m chugging cold brews to hang at the playground. I’m like, OK, it’s a lot!”

Some of the lessons she’s learned over the past year include:

“I think boundaries are so important, whether that’s with your family, relationship, career, business partners, whatever it may be. I’m [also] not going to stress about things not working out. I know whatever is meant for me or my purpose will come.”

She left off:

“[My dream] is to continue not only thriving in my career but to [do so] while being the best mom possible and just having a life filled with happiness and love.”

We’re so happy she’s getting to a better place after going through so much. We truly wish her the best.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/

[Images via Warner Bros. Television Studios/YouTube & Artem Chigvintsev/Instagram]

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Jan 29, 2025 10:10am PDT