Former DWTS Pro Reacts to ‘Shocking’ Artem Chigvintsev Arrest: ‘He Was My Family’
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A former Dancing With the Stars pro reacted to the news of Artem Chigvintsev’s recent arrest for alleged domestic violence. Cheryl Burke took a moment during her podcast to share how “shocking” the news was to her, given how well she knows fellow former pro Chigvintsev.
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After police responded to a domestic violence call on August 29, Chigvintsev was arrested and held on $25,000 bail, then later released. He faces felony domestic violence charges.
Chigvintsev is married to Nikki Garcia, a former WWE star perhaps better known as Nikki Bella. The couple recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary. In an August 26 Instagram post featuring their wedding photos, the pro dancer wrote, “Happy anniversary my love , can’t see my life without you. You are my everything.”
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In a clip from the Sex, Lies and Spray Tans podcast posted on Burke’s TikTok account, the former DWTS pro weighed in on news of her friend’s arrest.
She noted in the caption: “If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to… https://www.thehotline.org/ ??.”
“Artem, someone who I have grown up with, who actually… we used to live together in my family’s home in the Bay Area…” a clearly upset Burke said. “I get kind of emotional.”
She continued, “So he was arrested today, Thursday, and Variety confirmed as well that he was not set to be part of season 33.”
Burke shared, “My heart goes out to everyone involved. This is really hard for me because he was my family, and I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody’s okay. I just hope his kid’s okay. I hope everyone, his wife, and…”
“This is kind of shocking still for me,” she added. “Domestic violence and Artem don’t really… that’s why it’s so shocking.”
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According to a report from TMZ, Chigvintsev made the call to 911 to request medical assistance, then called back minutes later to cancel the dispatcher. In a recording of the call obtained by TMZ, the dispatcher said, “Initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at [the reporting party].”
The dispatcher added, “There is a child on scene. Medical en route. There’s an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible.”
They later noted, “RP is stating no medical is needed now.”
Police showed up at the home and, according to the TMZ report, “saw visible injuries on the alleged victim and arrested Artem for felony corporal injury to a spouse.”
Garcia issued a brief statement on August 30. “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,” Garcia’s rep told Us Weekly.
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