Cheryl Burke recently opened up on her podcast, “Sex, Lies and Spray Tans,” about the shocking news of her former “Dancing With the Stars” co-star, Artem Chigvintsev, being taken into custody for domestic violence. The emotional tone in her voice was evident as she struggled to come to terms with the situation. Burke, who described Chigvintsev as someone she had “grown up with” and even lived with at her family’s home in the San Francisco Bay area, expressed disbelief at the turn of events.
Chigvintsev, 42, was arrested and charged with felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. This serious charge involves willfully inflicting physical injury on another person. Despite being released on bail shortly after his arrest, the repercussions of this incident are significant. Burke’s heart goes out to everyone involved, emphasizing the seriousness of domestic violence. She expressed her hope for the well-being of Chigvintsev’s family, including his 4-year-old son Matteo and wife Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella.
The professional dancers have a long history together, having known each other for decades in the ballroom community. Their friendship deepened when Chigvintsev joined Burke on “Dancing With the Stars” in 2014. Despite competing against each other on the show multiple times, they maintained a strong bond even after Burke’s retirement in 2022. The news of Chigvintsev’s arrest came as a shock to Burke, who never expected him to be involved in such a serious allegation.
Reports indicated that emergency responders were called to Chigvintsev and Garcia’s home in Napa Valley early one morning. Chigvintsev himself made the call for a “medical emergency” but later canceled the request. Despite this, police still arrived at the scene and ultimately arrested him after observing injuries on the alleged victim, whose identity remains undisclosed. Sources revealed that Chigvintsev had been in a “bad mood” after not being selected as a professional dancer for the upcoming season of “DWTS.” The incident took place just two days after Chigvintsev and Garcia celebrated their second wedding anniversary, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
The shocking news of Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest for domestic violence has left many reeling, including his close friend and former co-star, Cheryl Burke. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of domestic violence and its impact on families. As more details unfold, it is essential to approach the situation with empathy and understanding for all parties involved.