Cheryl Burke, Artem Chigvintsev.
Getty Images (2)Cheryl Burke surprised by Artem Chigvintsev‘s domestic violence arrest after knowing the Dance With The Stars pro for decades.
“I hesitate to smile now because of the news today … which I am very surprised,” Burke, 40, began the Friday, August 30, episode of the podcast “Sex, Lies and Spray Tans”, which was recorded just hours after Chigvintsev, 42 , was arrested on Thursday, August 29.
Burke struggled to get the words out, saying, “Artem – it’s a shock, I’m kind of emotional – so he was arrested today. And domestic violence has been thrown into the mix.
ABC/Craig Sjodin Artem Chigvintsev has been a staple on Dancing With the Stars since 2014. Artem, who previously won Britain’s Strictly Come Dancing with Kara Tointon, was initially tapped to join the DWTS troupe for season 18. The following year, he was tasked with teaching the stars Back to the Future Lea Thompson how (…)
He explained that he had “grown up with” Chigvintsev and that they even “used to live together” at “his family home in the Bay Area (San Francisco). Chigvintsev and Burke continued to develop a friendship when both were released DWTS.
Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella
Image Rodin Eckenroth/GettyChigvintsev, who is married to Nikki Garicawas arrested in Napa County, Calif., on Thursday on domestic violence charges, according to online jail records reviewed by Us Weekly. The charge is under section 273.5(a) of the California Penal Code, which states that the incident involves a person hurting a spouse, partner or parent.
The circumstances surrounding the pro dancer’s arrest were not immediately disclosed, but Chigvintsev was released on $25,000 bail later in the evening.
Burke was shocked when he spoke about Chigvintsev’s arrest to his listeners, because he knows the “seriousness” of domestic violence. “My heart goes out to everyone involved,” he said. “It’s really hard for me because they’re my family, and I don’t know what to say here except that I hope everyone’s doing well.”
Burke added that he “hopes” Garcia, 40, and the couple’s son, Matteo, 4, are “OK” after the incident.
Garcia remained tight-lipped about the situation Thursday, but the silence has since begun. “This is a private matter, and Nikki is asking for privacy for her and her family at this time,” a representative for Garcia said. us in the statement there.
Napa Valley Sheriff PIO Henry Wofford toward us“We also had the opportunity to speak with the victim and the suspect was arrested without incident.” He said the victim “asked for complete confidentiality.”
Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev started dating after her engagement to ex John Cena. Nearly seven months after Garcia, who once wrestled under the name Nikki Bella, and Cena split in July 2018, Us Weekly confirmed that she and the Dancing With the Stars pro are dating, and have been seeing each other (…)
The sheriff noted that Chigvintsev, for his part, “did not fight or fight” during the arrest and that the investigation is ongoing.
Chigvintsev and Garcia had celebrated their anniversary before their arrest.
“I will never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with Him & God. How I felt so much. Everything felt so fast,” wrote Garcia via Instagram, Tuesday, August 27, along with footage from his wedding. “And then this song (‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’) came on. And that’s when I knew I was in love with him and it was all really meant to be.”
Chigvintsev spoke about his wife in his own social media post, writing, “Happy birthday my love, can’t see my life without you. You are everything to me.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
