Nikki Bella, the former WWE star and wife of "Dancing with the Stars" pro Artem Chigvintsev, has requested privacy after her husband was arrested for domestic violence. Chigvintsev was taken into custody on Thursday in Napa County, California, charged with corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant.
Nikki Bella, the beloved WWE Hall of Famer and wife of "Dancing with the Stars" professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev, has asked for privacy following her husband's arrest for domestic violence.
On Friday, a spokesperson for Bella, whose legal name is Nikki Garcia, issued a statement to Fox News Digital, stating, "This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time."
Nikki Bella Pleads for Privacy Amidst Artem Chigvintsev's Domestic Violence Arrest
The arrest occurred on Thursday at approximately 9:40 am. Chigvintsev was booked into custody at 10:40 am in violation of California Penal Code Section 273.5(a) PC, commonly known as domestic violence or corporal injury to a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or the mother or father of his or her child.
According to records obtained by Fox News Digital, Chigvintsev was released at approximately 2:18 pm that same day on $25,000 bail. It remains unclear whether Bella was involved in the incident.
Nikki Bella Pleads for Privacy Amidst Artem Chigvintsev's Domestic Violence Arrest
"When someone is charged with felony domestic violence, usually this means there is a visible injury or credible eyewitness," Henry Wofford, Napa County Sheriff's public information officer, told E! News. "Our deputies felt comfortable arresting him on felony domestic violence charges."
Wofford further stated that certain details of the case, including the victim's name, are being withheld to protect the privacy of victims of domestic violence. Wofford did not respond immediately to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Nikki Bella Pleads for Privacy Amidst Artem Chigvintsev's Domestic Violence Arrest
Fox News Digital has confirmed that Chigvintsev was not expected to participate in Season 33 of "Dancing with the Stars," which is set to premiere next month.
Chigvintsev's arrest follows the couple's two-year wedding anniversary, which they celebrated only days prior. Chigvintsev posted a heartfelt tribute to Bella on Instagram, expressing his love and devotion.
"Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life without you. You are my everything," he wrote.
"This song is our love story," Bella wrote on Instagram, alongside a video montage of their wedding day accompanied by the song "Can't Help Falling In Love." "I’ll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast. And then this song came on. And that’s when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be."
Bella and Chigvintsev began dating after being paired together on "Dancing with the Stars." They welcomed their first child, a son named Matteo, in 2020.
