In a heartbreaking yet powerful public statement, former WWE star and reality TV icon Nikki Bella has officially confirmed her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev, her husband of four years and father to their son, Matteo.
The once fairy-tale love story that bloomed on the sets of Dancing With the Stars has now come to a quiet, painful end. After months of speculation, cryptic social media posts, and fan rumors, Nikki finally addressed the truth in an exclusive sit-down interview with People Magazine.
“Yes, we are getting divorced,” Nikki said, holding back tears. “This wasn’t how I imagined things would turn out. But sometimes love just isn’t enough.”
❤️ A FAIRYTALE BEGINNING THAT TURNED SOUR
Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev met in 2017 when she was a contestant on Dancing With the Stars. At the time, Nikki was still engaged to WWE superstar John Cena, but their relationship came to an end in 2018. Soon after, her friendship with Artem turned into something more, and the couple confirmed their romance in early 2019.
By January 2020, they were engaged, and later that same year, they welcomed their baby boy, Matteo.
“He made me feel loved in a way I hadn’t felt in years,” Nikki had once said about Artem. “We connected through dance, but we bonded through real life.”
But as the years went on, behind the Instagram smiles and red carpet appearances, things began to unravel.
⚠️ SIGNS OF TROUBLE
Fans began to notice changes in Nikki’s public appearances in early 2024. She stopped wearing her wedding ring in several interviews. Her once frequent posts with Artem became scarce, and many noted her captions felt distant.
In July 2024, a now-deleted Instagram story showed Nikki writing:
“You can fight for something all you want, but if the other person stops showing up, what’s left?”
That post sparked divorce rumors, but Nikki remained silent—until now.
💬 NIKKI’S STATEMENT: “I LOST MYSELF”
In the People Magazine interview, Nikki opened up honestly about what went wrong.
“I think I was so focused on being a perfect mom, a perfect wife, a perfect businesswoman—that I forgot to check in with myself,” she said. “And somewhere in that chaos, we grew apart.”
She revealed that despite couples counseling and multiple attempts to rebuild the relationship, the emotional connection faded.
“We had love, but not peace. And I realized I couldn’t keep pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t.”
👶 CO-PARENTING MATTEO: “HE DESERVES TWO HAPPY HOMES”
One of Nikki’s biggest concerns was how the separation would affect their son, Matteo, now 4 years old. But she says both she and Artem are committed to being great parents—even if they’re no longer partners.
“We may not be together, but we’re united as parents. Matteo will always know he is deeply loved.”
Sources close to the family confirm that the couple has agreed to joint custody and have already started living separately for the last few months.
😔 ARTEM’S RESPONSE: “I’LL ALWAYS LOVE HER”
Shortly after the news broke, Artem Chigvintsev released a short statement on Instagram:
“This is a deeply personal and painful moment. I will always have love for Nikki and deep respect for the family we built. Please respect our privacy during this time.”
Friends close to Artem say he was “shocked but supportive” of Nikki’s decision, acknowledging that they were on “different life paths.”
🧠 MENTAL HEALTH AND PERSONAL GROWTH
Nikki also spoke about her mental health struggles during the past year.
“I had anxiety attacks. I felt lonely in a full house. I kept telling myself to hold on for Matteo, but I wasn’t showing him what love should really look like.”
She credited therapy, her twin sister Brie, and her close friends for helping her through the emotional storms.
“Brie has been my rock. She told me, ‘You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You just need to be true to yourself.’ And that really hit me.”
✨ WHAT’S NEXT FOR NIKKI BELLA?
Despite the personal heartache, Nikki is not slowing down. Her business empire—ranging from her wine brand Belle Radici to the upcoming UNSTOPPABLE women’s empowerment line—continues to grow.
She also hinted at a return to reality TV—possibly with a new solo series exploring life after divorce, single motherhood, and her journey of rediscovery.
“This is not the end of my story. It’s a new chapter,” she said with strength in her voice. “I’m not broken. I’m just rebuilding.”
💔 FANS REACT: “WE STAND WITH NIKKI”
Across social media, fans have rallied behind Nikki, offering messages of support, love, and empathy.
@WWEQueens: “Nikki Bella is strength, beauty, and honesty. She deserves peace and happiness.”
@TotalBellaxoxo: “We watched her grow from a Diva to a woman who owns her voice. So proud of her.”
🌹 LESSONS FROM LOVE AND LOSS
Nikki Bella’s story is not just about heartbreak. It’s about courage, truth, and the difficult choice to walk away when staying means losing yourself.
As Nikki said at the end of her interview:
“I loved him. He loved me. But sometimes love changes. And that’s okay. What matters is how you move forward. And I’m moving forward—with grace.”
By: Hollywood Life & Style
For exclusive photos from Nikki’s solo home, behind-the-scenes from the UNSTOPPABLE brand shoot, and more updates—follow @NikkiBella on Instagram and Twitter.
