Artem Chigvintsev Made a Rare 'Dancing With the Stars' Appearance After Nikki Garcia Split
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Dancing With the Stars celebrated a huge milestone with its 500th episode and many former pros and celebrities were in the audience. However, one particular face in the crowd might have drawn the most attention because he’s stayed out of the spotlight in recent months.
Artem Chigvintsev was spotted in the audience sitting next to former pros Peta Murgatroyd and her husband, Maks Chmerkovskiy. The 42-year-old dancer has kept a low profile after his Aug. 29 domestic violence arrest and divorce from his estranged wife, Nikki Garcia. The couple are in a bitter battle over their finances and child custody of their son, Matteo, 4, while Chigvintsev works to clear his name after Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley declined to press charges against him.
Murgatroyd shared an Instagram Story with Chigvintsev in the clip. (You can see the image here.) He appeared happy to be included in the celebration as he danced and mugged for the camera. He was not asked to be on Season 33 ahead of the arrest, so his exit from Dancing With the Stars had nothing to do with his personal life. Still, he’s felt the financial effects of his legal troubles.
In legal documents, obtained by the Daily Mail, Chigvintsev claimed that his income has taken a hit. “It is true that I have not been able to find other work as a dancer. I normally start jobs in November, and it goes for 20 weekends,” the documents read. “After the mug shot and the arrest based on her false allegations, I was taken off the website faculty list resulting in a loss of over $100k in income.” He also lost the ability to support himself in other ways as his “social media promotion revenue” also disappeared.
He and Garcia did not have a prenuptial agreement, so their finances appear to be at the heart of the battle. Chigvintsev is seeking economic support from Garcia, including rent and lawyers’ fees. The former duo also has temporary restraining orders against each other, and they are in effect until Dec. 6.
There is obviously a long legal case ahead of them, but it looks like Chigvintsev’s rare appearance at Dancing With the Stars hints he’s open to a return if the producers will have him back in the future.
Before you go, click here to see the longest celebrity divorces that took years to get finalized.