Bombshell Report Claims Artem Chigvintsev And Nikki Garcia’s Marriage Was ‘Volatile’

42-year-old professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev was arrested for domestic violence in Napa Valley, California, on Thursday. While initial details of the incident were sparse, it has now emerged that he faces charges of felony corporal injury to a spouse.

The reference to "spouse" implies that the victim is his wife, Nikki Garcia, although the victim has requested that their identity not be disclosed at this time. Nikki and Artem have been married since 2022 and recently celebrated a wedding anniversary.

Following his arrest, a source close to Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia claims their marriage was "volatile."

Friends of the couple, including their former "DWTS" cast and crew members, reportedly expressed that they were not entirely surprised by the news, noting that their marriage had been "volatile" for some time.

Sources told TMZ that Artem and Nikki's marriage has been troubled for some time and the recent events were "shocking but not shocking."

The insiders also indicate that those close to the couple were only aware of previous verbal altercations between Artem and Nikki and had not heard of any physical confrontations prior to Thursday's incident. Nevertheless, it's reported that the recurring theme in their marriage was that their arguments often centered around issues of control and belittlement.

This latest arrest comes a few years after Nikki revealed that they went to couple's therapy due to communication issues and the way that Artem spoke to her.

While these latest insiders say Artem's arrest didn't come as too much of a shock, Cheryl Burke, who has competed alongside Artem on "Dancing With The Stars," said she couldn't believe the news as "domestic violence and Artem don't really [go]."

"Artem, someone who I have grown up with, who actually ... we used to live together in my family's home in the Bay Area," she said shortly after the news broke. "I get kind of emotional ... This is really hard for me because he is my family, and I don't know what to say here other than I hope everybody's okay."

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Garcia, who first met on "Dancing With The Stars" in 2017 and married in 2022, are parents to a 4-year-old son, Matteo Artemovich. According to the 911 call, there was a child present at the time of the incident, which many speculate was their son.

The Napa County Sheriff's Department released Artem's mugshot shortly after the news broke and told ABC News about a domestic violence call they received from Yountville at approximately 10 a.m.

Deputies responded quickly and arrested Chigvintsev, noting that he "did not resist arrest." He was taken to Napa County Jail on suspicion of domestic violence and was later released on bail.

The couple just celebrated their anniversary earlier this week. "This song is our love story. I'll never forget where I was when I asked Jesus about Artem. Having a conversation with He & God. How my feelings felt too soon. It all felt too fast," Nikki wrote on Instagram along with a video set to "Can't Help Falling In Love."

"And then this song came on. And that's when I knew that I was falling in love with him and that it was all meant to be," she added.

In 2020, Nikki revealed that her husband's mental health was significantly impacted during the season he was sidelined from "Dancing With The Stars."

"This past year was really tough on him, and it was also tough on our relationship because Artem was fighting depression," she said on "The Bellas Podcast" a few years ago, per USA Today. "He was really depressed being cut, and it was really hard for him to get past it. And he then finally found a job right before COVID hit, then he lost it, and then it brought that depression back of not being a part of 'Dancing With the Stars.'"

Nikki and Artem share a 4-year-old son, Matteo Artemovich.

"It’s something I’ve dreamed of my whole life,” she told People Magazine at the time of her pregnancy announcement. “I can’t imagine life without being a mom and experiencing the miracle of life and raising a child. I’m just so family-oriented that I couldn’t imagine not having that family life.”

Nikki was previously dating John Cena, who had said he did not want kids, which seemingly led to their split.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.