Nikki Garcia’s twin sister, Brie Garcia, has her back.
Brie reportedly urged Nikki to leave her relationship with Artem Chigvintsev after his recent domestic violence arrest.
“Brie encouraged Nikki to leave the marriage. Any sort of violence does not fly, and they were very worried about Nikki and her son,” a source told “Entertainment Tonight.”
The insider also said that Nikki, 40, and the former “Dancing With the Stars” pro, 42, are currently “not living under the same roof” as the former WWE wrestler was left “scared and rattled” by the incident.
Chigvintsev was taken to jail in Napa Valley, Calif., on Aug. 29 for a felony charge. He was released on a $25,000 bail later that same day.
The source told “Entertainment Tonight” that the dancer “feels unprepared to deal with everything coming his way.”
Close friends of the couple previously said they weren’t completely shocked by the news of Chigvintsev’s arrest since the pair’s marriage had always been “volatile.”
Nikki filed for divorce from Chigvintsev on Wednesday about a week after TMZ reported that she was seeking legal assistance from attorneys.
The estranged couple shares a 4-year-old son, Matteo.
Nikki has petitioned the court for full legal and physical custody, with Chigvintsev being granted visitation. She also requested that spousal support be denied.
Chigvintsev, however, requested spousal support and joint legal and physical custody of Matteo. He also asked that Nikki pay his legal and attorney fees.
The two tied the knot in Paris in August 2022. They celebrated their second wedding anniversary days before Chigvintsev’s arrest.
