Nikki Garcia Breaks Silence on Messy Divorce from Artem Chigvintsev: 'I Was in So Much Pain'

Nikki Garcia speaks for the first time about her split from Artem Chigvintsev.

The retired WWE star, 41, returned to his podcast, The Nikki & Brie Showon Monday, Dec. 2, more than three months after her ex-husband’s Aug. 28 arrest on suspicion of spousal assault. Her return comes days after she and Chigvintsev settled their divorce on November 21 in private mediation.

Nikki began the episode by prefacing that she would “try not to get too emotional” as she gave an update on the last few months of her life.

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“I disconnected from social networks, from the world and I just knew that I had to disconnect because first of all, I am a mom and the protection and privacy of my son is the most important thing. So I was going to do everything necessary for that is the most important thing, and then just it needs space to heal, to face the trauma directly, all of that,” she said, referring to her four-year-old son Matteo, with whom she shares Chigvintsev.

“It was really hard. I was heartbroken. Sad. You know, you dream of this family and you have this amazing love, and it just goes in the opposite direction. And you go from a great love story to a terrible one. And I’ve never seen any of that, you know , as to, like, what the end will be like.”

Nikki Garcia at the 2023 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theater on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

She said her son remained her priority amid the end of the relationship and the legal battle that followed, as she said, “I tried to deal with this whole situation even though I was in so much pain. I was just trying to do what was best for everyone.”

“I want to continue to protect Mateo in that way because that’s what’s been the hardest part of all of this, and it’s been so heartbreaking. I didn’t know your heart could break so many times in such a short period of time.”

Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev attend “Twin Love” – ​​Cocktails and Snacks with hosts Nikki and Brie Garcia at Soho House on November 16, 2023.

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Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev relationship timeline

Nikki shed light on the nature of her relationship with her ex DWTS professional, whom she married in 2022, as she admitted: “As far as our relationship goes, it’s sad. Like, it just wasn’t great for a long time. And I really played it off [that] things were a lot better than what they were in the public eye, which I regret because what I felt was, like, if I can put this person on a pedestal and maybe if that person hears it enough, what I believe in them, they can believe it in themselves.”

“I didn’t want to have another failed relationship with the public,” she continued. “And more than that, take it away, like, I wanted it for Matteo. You know, it always comes back to him. You fight for your kids. We probably should have left a long time ago. So in the end, what happened wouldn’t have happened.”

Brie Garcia and Nikki Garcia visit SiriusXM at SiriusXM Studios on September 7, 2023.

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

The Total Bellas The alum also admitted it was a “struggle” to deal with the split in the public eye as people were “fed lies” about her.

“But because I know the truth and I actually lived it, it didn’t have a huge effect on me because people weren’t there that day. People don’t know what I went through to what I’m going to end up with, and you’re always going to have people who just assume and they say things, and then, you know, when you’ve had your fill of lies, you’re going to make people believe things. All I have to do is focus on my healing. I have to focus on Matteo getting better.”

Brie Garcia Says Sister Nikki Is ‘Going Through It’ Amid Artem Chigvintsev’s Divorce But Will Be Back On Their Podcast ‘Soon’

After his arrest on August 28, Chigvintsev did not face criminal charges, and both he and Nikki claimed that another person was the aggressor in the incident that led to the arrest.

They both obtained protective orders against each other after their arrests, and both were lifted when they settled for divorce last month.

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Nikki previously sought “privacy for her and her family” in a statement to PEOPLE, and after filing for divorce, she continued to “seek privacy for her and her family.” Meanwhile, Chigvintsev also shared a statement with PEOPLE after filing for divorce and after it was announced that he was not facing criminal charges for the arrest, explaining that he was “incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me were dismissed.” and said he was “grateful that the truth prevailed”.

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Source: HIS Education