In a shocking turn of events, "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested on a felony domestic violence charge.
According to a report by the New York Post, the incident occurred in Napa County, California, just days after Chigvintsev celebrated his second wedding anniversary with TV personality Nikki Bella.
The Napa County Sheriff's Department took Chigvintsev into custody on Thursday morning, booking him under California Penal Code Section 273.5(a) PC. This legal statute pertains to injuring a spouse, cohabitant, or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and the "Dancing With the Stars" community.
The arrest took place in the town of Yountville, Napa County, shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday. Deputies responded to a domestic violence call, and upon arrival at the scene, they made the arrest. The Napa County Sheriff's Office confirmed that injuries were involved in the incident.
Chigvintsev was booked into the Napa County jail with bail set at $25,000. He was released from custody at 2:18 PM PST on the same day. The booking report lists the dancer at 175 pounds and 5 feet, 9 inches tall.
The alleged victim in this case has requested total confidentiality, according to the spokesperson for the Napa County Sheriff's Office. As a result, details about the victim's identity and the nature of the injuries have not been disclosed to the public.
Artem Chigvintsev has been a regular fixture on "Dancing With the Stars" since joining the show in 2019. He has appeared in every season except for seasons 21 and 28. However, a source close to the production has revealed that there were no plans for Chigvintsev to be part of the upcoming Season 33 of the popular dance competition.
Just days before the arrest, Chigvintsev and his wife, Nikki Bella (professionally known as Nikki Garcia), had celebrated their second wedding anniversary. Both had shared loving messages on social media, with Bella posting a video montage of their 2022 wedding preparations and celebrations.
Chigvintsev expressed his love for Bella in an Instagram post, stating:
Happy anniversary my love, you making me the happiest man alive. Cheers to many many more.
This is not the first time Chigvintsev has faced allegations of misconduct. In 2015, English TV presenter Fern Britton, who had competed with Chigvintsev on the British version of "Dancing With the Stars" called "Strictly Come Dancing," spoke out about her experience working with him.
Britton alleged that Chigvintsev had been verbally abusive during their time together on the show. She recalled him allegedly saying: "Shut your face. Go home before I kill you."
At the time, Chigvintsev denied these allegations, stating that he had treated Britton with respect and genuine care. He maintained that the claims were contrary to his beliefs and character.
Artem Chigvintsev, a professional dancer known for his appearances on "Dancing With the Stars," has been arrested on a felony domestic violence charge in Napa County, California. The arrest occurred just days after Chigvintsev celebrated his second wedding anniversary with Nikki Bella. Details about the alleged victim are being kept confidential, and an investigation is ongoing. This incident has brought attention to past allegations of verbal abuse against Chigvintsev and raised questions about his future in the entertainment industry.
