From Dance Partners to Divorce: See Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella’s Relationship Timeline

2017

Artem and Nikki first met when they were paired up on Dancing With the Stars season 25. At the time, the retired wrestler was engaged to John Cena. Despite being sent home on night seven, Artem and Nikki remained pals, and she even asked her former dance partner to teach her and John some moves for their wedding.

“Can you imagine going to someone’s wedding and they just whip out these insane moves?” she told E! News at the time.

April 2018

Nikki and John called off their engagement after six years together in April 2018. “While this decision was a difficult one, we continue to have a great deal of love and respect for one another. We ask that you respect our privacy during this time in our lives,” they said in a statement to Us Weekly. The pair briefly rekindled their romance in May, but they were off again for good by July 2018.

“After I called off the engagement, we tried to work on our relationship to get back to where it was in order to move forward with our wedding,” Nikki said in a statement on July 31, 2018. “After much time and soul-searching alone, and together, we have decided to officially part ways. I had a beautiful and loving six-year relationship with a wonderful man. I have the utmost respect for John, but I know this is what’s best for me.”

January 2019

Artem and Nikki reconnected in January 2019, with a source telling Us Weekly that they had been seeing each other “for a while.” An insider also told Life & Style that month, “They got together for dinner and the chemistry from the dance floor came right back. They hit it off. They’re taking it slow, but they’re really into each other.”

March 2019

Weeks after the rumored couple was spotted kissing at lunch on March 10, 2019, Nikki confirmed on “The Bellas Podcast” that they were an item.

“Yes, we are dating. Yes, I spend the night at his house,” she said during the March 27, 2019, episode. “Yes, we have date lunches at Joan’s on Third and we like to get food for his house — or should I say, produce from the farmer’s markets. So, let’s consider this rumor killed.”

July 2019

Artem and Nikki made their red carpet debut at the Kids’ Choice Sports Awards on July 11, 2019. Days later, the wrestler said on her podcast that they were officially “boyfriend and girlfriend.”

October 2019

The couple took the next big step of moving in together after less than a year of dating. Nikki confirmed that they were under the same roof in an October 2019 interview with Life & Style. “I was supposed to do a show in New Zealand right when my lease was up. Then I couldn’t do the show but had given up my place, so I was like ‘Hey, can I live with you?’” she said.

Late 2019

Still on the fast track of love, Nikki and Artem got engaged at the end of 2019 and confirmed the news in January 2020. “Excited for 2020 and the next decade with you @theartemc,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “I said yes in France in November! We have been trying to keep it a secret but really wanted to share our excitement for the New Year!”

July 2020

After announcing in January 2020 that they were expecting their first child, Artem and Nikki welcomed son Matteo on July 31. She announced the news the following day. “Our baby boy is here and we couldn’t be HAPPIER and more in LOVE! Everyone is safe and healthy,” she wrote on Instagram.

August 2022

Between the COVID-19 pandemic and raising their baby boy, Artem and Nikki had to put their wedding on hold for a while. However, they finally got to tie the knot on August 26, 2022, at a beautiful ceremony in Paris.

August 2024

Artem made headlines on August 29, 2024, when he was arrested and charged with domestic battery, In Touch confirmed. The dancer was booked on a felony domestic violence charge in Napa County jail, according to online arrest records. According to California Penal Code Section 273.5(a), PC makes it illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence.

It’s unclear if Nikki was involved in any way. However, she revealed on her Instagram Stories one day before the arrest that she was also in Napa.

August 30, 2024

Nikki’s reps released a statement on her behalf the day after Artem’s arrest.

“This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,” the spokesperson for the reality TV star told Us Weekly.

September 2024

On September 11, 2024, Nikki filed to divorce Artem, according to online records obtained by In Touch.

September 13, 2024

Two days after Nikki filed to divorce Artem, he responded with a filing of his own. He cited the reason for their divorce as “irreconcilable differences,” and requested joint legal and physical custody of their son, Matteo, and requested spousal support, per Us Weekly.