“Dancing With the Stars” pro Artem Chigvintsev is speaking out for the first time since his estranged wife, former WWE star Nikki (Bella) Garcia filed for divorce.
Through his lawyer, Ilona Antonyan told People, “At this time, Mr. Chigvintsev will not comment on any pending proceeding,” but added that both Chigvintsev and Garcia’s priority is their 4-year-old son Matteo.
As Antonyan continued, Chigvintsev and Garcia are “focused on co-parenting and working together for the best interests of their son.”
The decision to end their marriage comes after Chigvintsev was arrested on Aug. 29 on accusations of corporal injury to spouse while in Napa, California.
Garcia was the first to file. Chigvintsev responded on Sept. 11.
While talking with People, Antonyan iterated that Chigvintsev and Garcia “intend to resolve all pending issues on mutually acceptable terms.”
In their respective filings, Garcia asked for sole legal and physical custody, E! News reports. Chigvintsev asked for shared custody.
In terms of spousal support, Garcia requested both she and her estrange husband have their right to spousal support terminated while Chigvintsev asked that Garcia be responsible for spousal support and his attorney fees, according to E! News.
Chigvinstev and Garcia have been married since 2022. The couple share a son together.
Garcia has not shared a personal statement regarding the arrest or the divorce. Instead, a rep for the former professional wrestler asked “for privacy for her and her family at this time.”
Following the season 33 premiere of “Dancing With the Stars,” Chigvinstev’s former colleague Gleb Savchenko called him “a great dancer” and part of the family while talking with E! News. “He’s just my brother and I send him love and positivity.”