Cheryl Burke is ‘in shock’ over friend and former colleague Dancing with the stars pro Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest for domestic violence. The Sex, lies and spray tans podcast host told Yahoo Entertainment her condolences go out to his estranged wife, Nikki Garcia, and their 4-year-old son, Matteo, as they deal with a public divorce.
“I was in shock, you know? It’s sad,” Burke said. “I wish everyone — Nikki, Artem, Matteo — I hope everyone is OK. And I hope they take the time to really focus on themselves and get through all of this.”
On August 29, Chigvintsev was arrested and booked on domestic violence charges in Napa, California. The incident occurred at their home, three days after the couple’s second wedding anniversary. Garcia filed for divorce on September 11.
“All of a sudden, this goes from their own personal issue to now everyone is talking about it. It’s overwhelming, I can’t even imagine,” Burke continued. “And I just hope that everyone takes the time to grieve, because it’s not easy. As I’ve been through — I’m not comparing it — but a divorce, a public divorce, sucks.”
Burke filed for divorce from actor Matthew Lawrence in February 2022, after less than three years of marriage.
Chigvintsev and Garcia first met in 2017 when they were paired together on Dancing with the starsalthough the ex-WWE wrestler, formerly known as Nikki Bella, was engaged to John Cena at the time. They got back together the following year when Garcia ended her relationship with Cena.
Neither Garcia nor Chigvintsev has commented publicly on what happened. While police withheld the victim’s name after the August incident, media outlets identified the person as Garcia. “This is a private matter and Nikki requests privacy for her and her family at this time,” her spokesperson said at the time.
Garcia is seeking legal and physical custody of Matteo, with Chigvintsev being granted visitation rights. In his divorce petition, Chigvintsev asked for joint custody and spousal support.
“At this time, Mr. Chigvintsev does not wish to comment on ongoing litigation,” his attorney, Ilona Antonyan, told People on Sept. 17. “The parties are focused on co-parenting and working together to serve the best interests of their son.”
Antonyan said Chigvintsev has no financial motives and that the request is essentially a formality as “the parties intend to resolve all outstanding issues on mutually acceptable terms.”
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