Nikki Garcia Has Some Surprising Things To Say About Pricy Artem Chigvintsev Split & Child Support!

Nikki Garcia has finally addressed her hefty child support payments to Artem Chigvintsev — and what she has to say may surprise you!

As you may recall, the pair settled their divorce back in November 2024. It was a nasty breakup, including his arrest for felony domestic violence over an alleged physical altercation between them. Details of their settlement only came out earlier this month, and it’s genuinely jaw-dropping how much she’s forking over in child support! We mean… this man was on TV, too, right? He needs this much from her??

TMZ reported the former professional wrestler will pay the ballroom dancer $3,500 monthly. On top of that, they agreed Nikki would shell out a lump sum of $200,000! That is SO MUCH! She paid the first half now, and the rest will come by the end of the year. The reality star must also cover their son Matteo‘s speech therapist. However, all the bills won’t fall solely on her! Nikki and Artem will split the cost of their 4-year-old son’s other extracurricular activities. Regardless, this was a big loss for the WWE star. Artem was the one arrested for DV, and yet she takes a huge financial hit, having to pay him a boatload of money… WTF…

You’d expect Nikki to be upset over how things turned out, right? We’re upset for her! But no! She actually has a shocking reaction! She thinks she got lucky! The Barmageddon host explained on a new episode of The Nikki & Brie Show podcast on Thursday:

“Everyone’s had opinions about Artem and I’s divorce settlement. It’s everywhere.”

So, Nikki first wanted to clarify that her divorce from Artem had “nothing to do” with the domestic violence “incident,” adding:

“Divorce is divorce. Divorce has to deal with the paper, the contract you signed during marriage. The day of marriage, at the court before marriage, whatever.”

She then confirmed the financial deets of the divorce for curious listeners:

“So, our settlement is what everyone saw. Yes, I had to give him $200,000. Spousal support, alimony.”

Her sister, Brie Garcia, noted, “That’s what happens when you’re the breadwinner!” True. Who knew Artem was contributing so little though, right?Seems to us like Nikki got screwed over.

But the Bella Twin feels she “got a steal” with the settlement! WHA??? Yeah. She acknowledged that “is crazy to say.” Ya think?! But you never know! She could have been forced to give more if they dragged out the legal battle! Nikki said:

“Our judge — we did private mediation — said at the end of it, ‘This is the first time in all the years I’ve done this, where a woman had to pay a man.’ The judge said, ‘You should be so damn proud that you built such an empire that someone wants a piece of it.’”

That’s a glass-half-full way of looking at it, that’s for sure. We mean, no argument Nikki is a girlboss. She explained:

“It was nice to hear that … even though it hurts because I broke my neck for that money. That money, all that is my hard-earned money. They’re all like, ‘Oh, so he got the money because she lost.’ No, no, no. Child support. If you are the breadwinner, if you make more money, it is literally a state calculator. They put in the incomes, and they go, ‘Boom, this one makes more money. This is what you owe per month.’”

The judge also demanded she make someone sign a prenup before she ever got married again! Ha! Great advice! Protect your money, girl! Nikki knew she should have gotten one before, though. Brie agreed! She said she told Nikki that the Dancing With the Stars alum “needs to sign a prenup” before their wedding — but it never happened. Now, look where they are! Nikki’s giving this guy loads of money! And understandably, the 41-year-old TV personality is a little frustrated over the situation.

Of course, what she owes Artem may not be permanent. Nikki recognized that “at any point” until Matteo is 18, the two can return to court because “child support changes,” adding:

“It’s strictly having a kid in a marriage. That’s all it is.”

Hey, maybe Artem will start making some money again!

Ultimately, making sure Matteo is well taken care of is the most important thing at the end of the day. And that starts with having a solid co-parenting relationship, which Nikki and Artem thankfully do! Even after everything that happened! She shared that they “are in a great place” right now:

“We are coparenting so amazing, and it makes Matteo’s life so amazing, and I don’t want it any other way. When all of this came up, it sucks because things in Matteo’s world right now [are] so great because Artem and I are so on the same page, and I want that.”

Amazing! As for the child support? Nikki noted it “doesn’t bother” her because she wants nothing but the best for her son:

“Child support is so the child could have an equal life in both homes. That’s where it comes from, and so it is hard. I don’t even think twice about it because I’m like, that is making sure Matteo is also 50/50, half of his other time is a good life.”

What does bother her is how everyone thinks she is “guilty,” a “liar” or “lost” the case because of her massive child support payment:

“I have been so damn honest from day one and that’s why when everyone says, ‘She’s glowing, she’s so happy,’ because I’ve lived in my truth. I know how to take accountability. I know what it’s like not to be perfect. I’m not a perfect person, but if something like that, if it was opposite, I would have taken accountability. I would’ve have said, “I f**k up. I need help,’ but that was not me that day.”

At least Nikki and Artem got to a point where they can co-parent amicably! It didn’t look they would get to that place for a while…

Watch Nikki talk about her child support payments (below):