Nikki Garcia made her first public appearance since her split from ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev, walking the red carpet at the premiere of Netflix’s WWE Monday Night Raw in Los Angeles.
Nikki Garcia is re-entering the ring.
Less than two months after she settled her divorce and mutually dropped her dual restraining order with ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev, the Total Bellas alum stepped out for her first public appearance since their breakup, walking the red carpet for the premiere of Netflix’s WWE Monday Night Raw.
And Nikki certainly brought her A-game for the Jan. 6 event at Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome, as she looked stunning in a full red leather getup, complete with a strapless bustier and straight-leg pants with white stripe detailing down the center. To top off her ensemble, the 41-year-old opted to wear her hair in long loose waves and accessorized with a bedazzled silver purse and oversized hoop earrings.
Of course, the retired WWE wrestler wasn’t the only star to show out for the debut of Netflix’s sports show, which saw CM Punk face off against Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Roman Reigns battle it out with Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat. John Cena, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, David Arquette, Harry Jowsey, Tiffany Haddish and Seth Green were among the other celebs who came out for wrestling’s big night.
In the weeks leading up to her appearance at WWE Monday Night Raw, Nikki—who shares 4-year-old son Matteo with Artem—got candid about experiencing “super weak moments” over the course of the past several months, which have included a divorce settlement with Artem following two years of marriage, the Dancing With the Stars pro’s August arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence (for which he ultimately was not charged) and restraining order filings from both Nikki and Artem that alleging the other person was the aggressor.
“We just have to figure out how we get through that,” Nikki said on a December 2024 episode of her The Nikki & Brie Show podcast. “What do we do, and who do we need to lean on, and what do we need to bring into our life and surround ourselves with, and what can feed our soul and make us strong?”
And that process includes understanding her part in all of it. As Nikki explained, “It’s made me really sit and be like, ‘Why have all these things happened to me?’”
She added, “What I’ve realized now in life when things come my way and they’re not right, they’re not good, or they’re bad, whatever it may be, I’m going to sit and try to find the beauty in it and the learning lesson.”
Keep reading for a look back at Nikki and Artem’s relationship.
Long before the two paired up in real life, Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev were dance partners during DWTS‘ 25th season back in 2017. Here, Artem kisses the Garcia twin’s hand for a promotional shot.
Just weeks before the pair would go on to publicly confirm their romance, Artem made several appearances on Nikki’s Instagram Story and Instagram Live videos before and during Total Bellas. Why?
Nikki explained that Artem would be joining her in live tweeting the episode, though that wasn’t the only reason for his social media cameo. “I have a special guest who had a really fun Sunday fun day with me,” she told fans in the Live video, before explaining they spent the afternoon enjoying ramen and non-alcoholic beer together.
Artem followed Nikki’s adorable Instagram post with one of his own the following the day. The scenic shot showed a giddy-looking Nikki smiling and covering Artem’s face while his arm was wrapped sweetly around her waist.
Trailing Total Bellas‘ fourth season finale, the WWE star took to Instagram Sunday night, March 24, with an adorable snapshot that saw her planting a sweet kiss on the DWTS pro’s cheek.
The photo seemed to reemphasize what the final moments of Sunday’s episode already confirmed: that Nikki and Artem are, in fact, doing the romance thing.
“Well after that season finale,” she wrote in the post’s caption, adding that her and Artem’s relationship is the “first thing I’ll be talking about” during Wednesday’s upcoming episode of The Bellas Podcast. Stay tuned!
Artem and Nikki held hands during a daytime date in Washington, D.C.
Nikki’s twin sister Brie Bella posted this cute pic of herself and daughter Birdie grabbing breakfast with the couple in April 2019.
Nikki and Artem snuggled in bed with her pup Winston.
Nikki and Artem cuddle up while in Disney with Brie and her husband Bryan Danielson.
Artem made his first appearance on the Garcia’s podcast in May 2019 and the lovebirds didn’t shy away from talking about their relationship.
The couple shared a sweet moment in the crowd at the BottleRock music festival.
Artem and Nikki enjoy a weekend getaway to in Napa, Califa.
“Happy Birthday to a man who not only makes my face smile, but my heart,” Nikki wrote in a tribute to Artem in June 2019. “You’re a special one Mr. Chigvintsev! Your relaxing, calm, patient, kind, happy energy and aura is contagious! You truly are the kindest soul I have ever met. Thank you for bringing a lot of sunshine into my life.”
Nikki planted a sweet kiss on Arten during a selfie.
The pair snapped a “hands free 10 second selfie.”
Artem sweept Nikki off her feet! “Lake Tahoe makes my soul smile & my inner child come out and play!” she wrote on Instagram.
Nikki and Artem’s Lake Tahoe photo shoot was hotter than the weather on 4th of July.
Nikki and Artem soaked up some sun in the desert.
Artem joined Nikki and Brie on a trip to Mexicali as the twins tried to reunite with their estranged father.
Nikki snuck in a selfie amid her attempt to “seduce my way into getting a foot massage.”
The pair spent quality family time together during a trip to Lake Tahoe in August 2021.
Nikki took to Instagram in August 2019 to share a message about her “new beginning” with Artem.
“As I start a new amazing journey with @totalbellas and my life, my @theartemc is starting the same,” the retired WWE star wrote. “And I am so excited for him to be on this journey with me. I’m thankful for him to showcase his life, love, ups and downs not only for me but for my Bella Army and my Total Bellas viewers.”
Nikki encouraged the Bella Army to vote for Artem and his DWTS partner, Melora Hardin, with the adorable pic.
Being a supportive wife, Nikki encouraged fans to vote for Artem and partner Heidi D’Amelio on Dancing With the Stars with this cute photo.
Let happy hour for the hardworking couple commence!
Seriously, could they get any cuter?
Nikki and her “4 lifer,” as she put it in the caption of this October snap.
Champagne time.
Artem shared this pic on Nikki’s birthday.
“I want to wish the happiest birthday to my beautiful and definitely better other half,” he captioned the post. “you are my rock, you have been absolutely incredible as a mom to Matteo and I am so lucky to have you. I want to wish you lots of success, love and happiness and everything you wish for yourself. I love you and miss you and can’t wait to see you to celebrate.”
Muah.
“mi casa,” Nikki wrote alongside this sweet selfie.
Source: www.eonline.com