Artem Chigvintsev’s fate on ‘DWTS’ Season 33 revealed after arrest on domestic violence charges
Artem Chigvintsev won’t be getting the Mirrorball trophy this year — but he does have a mugshot.
The “Dancing With the Stars” professional dancer will not return to the competition show for Season 33 following his arrest on domestic violence charges on Thursday.
A source confirmed the news to Page Six, saying that Chigvintsev, 42, who is married to former WWE wrestler and reality star Nikki Garcia, will not be returning; however, it appears the decision not to include him on “DWTS” was made before he went to prison.
“There were no plans to make Artem Chigvintsev a part of Season 33 of ‘Dancing with the Stars,'” the insider said.
Season 33 is set to debut next month on ABC.
Chigvintsev joined “DWTS” as a member of the dance troupe during season 18 in 2009 and was upgraded to pro the following season. He remained on the show as a regular until season 28 in 2019. He said it was “a huge blow” not to be invited back.
His first exit from the competition show proved to be temporary. Chigvintsev returned for the 29th season and remained a pro until the most recent season, 32.
Over the years, he has partnered with celebrities such as “The O.C.” actress Mischa Barton, “The Brady Bunch” actress Maureen McCormick, former figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and his now-wife, Nikki, whom he met while dancing with her on the show.
Chigvintsev and Garcia married in August 2022 and celebrated their two-year wedding anniversary on Monday.
The Post confirmed that Chigvintsev was arrested by the Napa County Sheriff’s Department on a domestic violence charge just before 10 a.m. His bail was set at $25,000.
According to online records, it appears the dancing pro is still inside.
According to TMZ, officers made the arrest on the scene after responding to a domestic violence call in the city of Yountville. The alleged victim has asked for privacy and the investigation is ongoing.
The Post has contacted the sheriff’s office and representatives for Chigvintsev and Garcia for comment.
Three days ago, the married couple was publicly expressing their love through posts on social media on their wedding anniversary.
“Happy anniversary my love, I can’t see my life without you. You are my everything,” Chigvintsev captioned a wedding photo on Instagram. “Happy anniversary click 🥹❤️🔥💋 love you so much!” his former WWE wife commented.
Garcia posted a video filled with photos and footage from their wedding, which is set to take place in Paris in 2022. She used the lyrics from Elvis Presley’s 1961 classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love” to caption the clip.
“This song is our love story. I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Talking to him and God. How quickly my feelings felt. It all felt so fast. And then this song came out. And then I knew I fell in love with him and it was all meant to be. 🙏🏼✨,” Nikki wrote on Tuesday. “Happy anniversary @theartemc I love you! ❤️🔥”
The couple has one child – four-year-old son Matteo.
Chigvintsev and Nikki met on “DWTS” in 2017, when she was engaged to WWE star John Cena. Nikki and Cena abruptly broke off their engagement the following year.
She announced her engagement to the Russian dancer in 2020, a few months before welcoming Matteo.
“Excited for 2020 and the next decade with you @theartemc ❤️ I said yes in France in November,” Nikki wrote. “We were trying to keep it a secret but really wanted to share our excitement for the new year!”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
