Nikki Garcia has been spotted for the first time since estranged husband Artem Chigvintsev filed for joint custody of their four-year-old son Matteo and spousal support amid their ongoing divorce after his domestic violence arrest late last month.
The 40-year-old retired WWE star held her son on her hip while stepping out in Napa, California on Saturday morning.
The Dancing With The Stars pro, 42 — who removed Nikki from his Instagram profile before re-adding her — responded to his wife’s divorce filing this week, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ as the reason for their split in documents obtained by Us Weekly.
He listed the date of separation as August 29 — the same day he was arrested for felony domestic violence charges following an alleged altercation at their home.
In addition to requesting 50/50 custody of Matteo, the Russian-born dancer has asked for spousal support, and that Garcia pay his legal fees, per the documents.
Nikki Garcia has been seen for the first time since estranged husband Artem Chigvintsev filed for joint custody of their four-year-old son Matteo and spousal support amid their ongoing divorce after his domestic violence arrest late last month
Garcia wore black, skintight, capri leggings and a matching low-cut sleeveless black top
The 40-year-old retired WWE star held her son on her hip while stepping out in Napa, California on Saturday morning
Garcia wore black, skintight, capri leggings and a matching low-cut sleeveless black top that flashed a sliver of her toned abdomen.
The mother-of-one, who was formerly known as Nikki Bella, slipped her red pedicured feet into a pair of black thong sandals.
Per TMZ, she was headed to take her toddler to a dance class and dressed the tot in black shorts, a black T-shirt, and black sneakers.
During some moments, the media personality wore a wide-brimmed visor as she pulled her lustrous raven locks into a messy bun.
And she carried multiple bags, including a dark backpack, a quilted black Chanel purse with a chain strap, and a beige tote with a brown strap.
The beauty appeared upbeat despite the drama in her life as she grabbed two green drinks and shielded her eyes with oversize black sunglasses.
In his divorce filing, Artem claimed that he was a putative spouse — an individual who believes they are legally married to someone, but the marriage itself is not valid — between the dates of August 26, 2022 and January 19, 2023.
Chigvintsev and Garcia said ‘I do’ in August 2022 during a ceremony in Paris, France.
She put on a perky display in her low-cut crop top
The beauty appeared upbeat despite the drama in her life as she grabbed two green drinks
During some moments, the media personality wore a wide-brimmed visor as she pulled her lustrous raven locks into a messy bun
Garcia went makeup-free for the weekend outing in sunny Napa Valley
But in the documents, per Us Weekly, the professional dancer stated that they also tied the knot in the United States in January 2023.
Garcia filed for divorce on Wednesday at the Superior Court of Napa and asked for sole legal and physical custody of their son.
She stated she is open to Artem getting visitation rights for their son, who was born on July 31, 2020.
While Chigvintsev has requested spousal support from Nikki, she has asked to block the court’s ability to award spousal support to either party.
Just days before Artem was placed into handcuffs, the couple had marked their second wedding anniversary.
At the time, he shared a heartfelt message in an Instagram post that read, ‘Happy anniversary my love, can’t see my life without you. You are my everything.’
Garcia filed for divorce from Chigvintsev on Wednesday at the Superior Court of Napa and asked for sole legal and physical custody of their son
Artem was booked into the Napa County Jail on felony domestic violence charges at 10:59am before being released on a $25,000 bond at approximately 2:18pm
Sources recently told DailyMail.com that Chigvintsev is desperately trying to salvage the marriage.
Cops were called to the couple’s $1.5 million marital home in Yountville, California, following reports of a quarrel on August 29.
Sources said the couple dialed 911 twice — first to request assistance for an injury and then to ask paramedics not to come.
But due to the sounds of a domestic disturbance in the background, cops from the Napa Sheriff’s Department arrived at the couple’s residence anyway, eventually arresting Chigvintsev.
He was booked into the Napa County Jail on felony domestic violence charges at 10:59am before being released on a $25,000 bond at approximately 2:18pm.
Chigvintsev is scheduled to appear in court in Napa on Tuesday and cannot leave Napa County until the case is resolved.