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New York Post
‘DWTS’ pro Artem Chigvintsev arrested for domestic violence after celebrating Nikki Bella wedding anniversary
By Sean Mandell,
28 days ago
“Dancing With the Stars” pro Artem Chigvintsev has been arrested for domestic battery.
The professional dancer was booked in Napa County, California, Thursday morning.
Officers from the Napa County Sheriff’s Department arrested him just before 10 a.m. on a felony domestic violence charge, The Post can confirm. Chigvintsev was released from custody at 2:18 PM PST on Thursday. His bail was set at $25,000.
His booking report lists him at 175 pounds and 5 feet, 9 inches tall.
Deputies responded to a domestic violence call in the town of Yountville in Napa County shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday and an arrest was made at the scene, a spokesperson for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office told The Post. They added that injuries were involved and that the alleged victim asked for total confidentiality.
Chigvintsev was booked under California Penal Code Section 273.5(a) PC, which “makes it illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence. This offense is also referred to as domestic abuse, domestic violence, or corporal injury to a spouse.”
The “DWTS” regular will not be returning for the show’s upcoming Season 33. “There were no plans for Artem to be a part of Season 33,” a source said. Chigvintsev joined “DWTS” in 2019 and appeared on every season except for seasons 21 and 28.
She added, “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. 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.”
Chigvintsev shared his love for his wife in a post of his own , writing, “Happy anniversary my love, you making me the happiest man alive. Cheers to many many more.”
Bella posted a photo on her Instagram Story on Wednesday showing her in Napa at a day spa. “Got a facial today!” she wrote. “[L]ove my fave spot in Downtown Napa.”
The WWE alum is currently promoting “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” Netflix’s upcoming live hot dog eating competition special on September 2, which she is set to co-host.
News of Chigvintsev’s arrest comes just one month after past allegations of verbal abuse made against the pro resurfaced.
English TV presenter Fern Britton, who competed on the 2012 season of “Strictly Come Dancing,” the British version of “DWTS” that kicked off the global franchise, spoke out about her experience working with Chigvintsev in 2015.
“He was like, ‘Shut your face. Go home before I kill you,'” she recalled Chigvintsev allegedly telling her while speaking with the Times.
“I would say, ‘Oh please just kill me, it would be easier.’ Or what was his other one? ‘If you go for a cup of tea now, I will blow off like an atomic bomb,'” she recalled. “I thought, ‘Well, I won’t correct him on that one.'”
Chigvintsev contended with Britton’s version of events. “I believe I treated Fern with respect and genuine care and these claims about me are the opposite of everything I believe in and the person I am,” he said in an interview with The Daily Express at the time.
The Post has reached out to reps for Chigvintsev and Bella.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
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