Nikki Garcia’s 1st Interview After Artem Divorce: Coparenting, Healing

Nikki Garcia thought she’d finally found her happily ever after. In early 2019, shortly after calling off her engagement to fellow WWE superstar John Cena, Garcia reconnected with her Season 25 Dancing With the Stars partner, Artem Chigvintsev, for what would become a whirlwind romance. By November, the two were engaged and soon welcomed their son, Matteo, now 4.

“Artem is the first person I’ve been with where I feel like I can be Nicole and never fear he’s going to leave me for it,” Garcia, 41, said at the time, calling Chigvintsev, 42, “the sweetest soul 
you’ll ever meet.”

They wed in the summer of 2022 and seemed to have a solid marriage, with Garcia often making headlines for her TMI confessions about their chemistry in the bedroom. “He gets very embarrassed,” the Total Divas alum once playfully told Us Weekly of her openness. “He hates it!”

But last August — just days after their second wedding anniversary — police were called to the pair’s Napa Valley, California, home following an alleged altercation between Garcia and Chigvintsev. The Russian professional dancer was arrested and booked on felony domestic violence. (The Napa County District Attorney’s office ultimately declined to file charges.)

In the weeks that followed, Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev, and the two submitted temporary restraining orders against each other. In her filing, Garcia detailed multiple previous physical altercations with Chigvintsev, including the August incident in which she claimed that he’d “tackled me multiple times and pinned me to the ground while our child was present.” The two went on to settle their divorce and agreed to “drop the domestic violence restraining orders against each other in an effort to move on with their lives and effectively coparent their son,” Garcia’s rep told Us in a statement at the time.

Shell-shocked from what transpired and determined to protect her son, Garcia stepped away from social media to process it all and grieve the end of her marriage. She also took a three-month break from the “Nikki & Brie Show” podcast, which she hosts with her twin sister, Brie. Now, the fog is finally starting to lift. The wrestling legend is focused on being a mom and a possible return to WWE (she made her Raw comeback on January 6 after a nearly two-year hiatus).

“I’m definitely finding more moments of joy,” she tells Us in the latest cover story, adding that she feels “stronger” every day. “[I’m] excited to just live this new era of me.”

Here, Garcia, who didn’t want to go into detail about the lead-up to her split from Chigvintsev, opens up about healing from heartache and how her son has helped her find the resilience she didn’t know she had.

You’ve been through a lot these past few months. How are you doing?

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.

You’re known for being an open book. But when everything happened, you took a step back from the public eye. Tell Us more about that decision.

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.

Who did you lean on during that time?

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.

Were your family and friends surprised by the split?

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.

You returned to your podcast on December 2 after a more than three-month break. Were you nervous?

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.”

What was the reaction like from your fans?

It 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.

How have you explained everything to Matteo?

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.

What’s it been like coparenting with Artem so far?

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.

How’s Matteo adjusting?

Matteo’s OK and not affected. So that makes it easy. He’s happy to go to both homes.

Looking back, do you have any regrets?

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.

When do you feel your best these days?

Definitely 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.

Do you ever struggle?

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.

Tell Us about your healing journey. What other changes have you made in your life?

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.

Are you drinking again now?

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.

Do you think there are misconceptions about you?

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.

Do you still believe in true love, given everything that’s happened?

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.

Are you open to dating again?

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.

You look amazing!

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.

Do you think you’d ever get married again?

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].

What about more kids?

I definitely do not want more kids. I am fine.

Why not?

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!

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned over the last year?

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.

What does the future look like for you?

[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.

For more on Nikki, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.