Artem Chigvintsev, a former pro on Dancing With the Stars, recently made an appearance in the audience during the show’s 500th episode. Chigvintsev was seen dancing in the crowd alongside other DWTS alums, including Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. This return to the ballroom comes after Chigvintsev was left off the roster for season 33 and after his August 29 arrest for domestic violence following an altercation with his now-estranged wife, Nikki Garcia. While he was released on bail the same day, a judge did not press charges against him in September. Since the incident, both Chigvintsev and Garcia have filed for divorce, with Garcia seeking full custody of their 4-year-old son and Chigvintsev requesting joint custody.
Chigvintsev recently filed court documents claiming that he has lost $100,000 in potential income since his arrest and requested that Garcia cover his lost earnings, rent, and a portion of his legal fees. He stated that he normally starts jobs in November that go for 20 weekends and that as a result of the arrest, he was taken off the website faculty list, leading to a significant loss in income. Additionally, he claims to have lost social media promotion revenue that Garcia continues to benefit from. Chigvintsev also asserted that Garcia is the one with anger issues and that she was the aggressor in the altercation, not him.
Despite Chigvintsev’s claims, Garcia did not publicly respond to his allegations. However, she was previously granted a restraining order against him in September, citing concerns for her safety and that of their son. A representative for Garcia stated that she did not want Chigvintsev to go to jail but believed he should be held accountable for his actions. The spokesperson emphasized that Garcia’s main priority is the well-being of her son and requested privacy for her and her family during the difficult time.
The incident between Chigvintsev and Garcia occurred on August 29, 2024, leading to her decision to file for a restraining order to protect herself and their son. Despite her request to the Napa District Attorney to not press charges against Chigvintsev, she felt it was important for him to be held accountable for his actions. Garcia expressed gratitude for the support she has received and continued to ask for privacy for herself and her family during the challenging situation. The legal and marital troubles between Chigvintsev and Garcia have been ongoing since the arrest, with both parties taking legal action in the aftermath of the incident.
