Former Dancing With the Stars professional Cheryl Burke expressed her shock and concern over the recent arrest of her friend and fellow dancer, Artem Chigvintsev. In the August 30 episode of her podcast, Sex, Lies and Spray Tans, Burke opened up about the surprising news, stating, “I hesitate to smile right now because of the current news … which I am in complete shock about.”
Cheryl Burke Accidentally Leaks ‘DWTS’ Cast Information, New Pro #DancingwiththeStars #TVshowshttps://t.co/k1l6CLZLk1
— Robert Jeril Henderson (@JerilHenderson) September 1, 2024
Burke, who has known Chigvintsev for many years and described him as “someone who I’ve grown up with,” shared that they even lived together in her family’s home in the Bay Area. Her deep personal connection with Chigvintsev made the news particularly difficult for her to process.
Chigvintsev was arrested on August 29 in Napa County, California, under California Penal Code 273.5(a), which involves causing injury to a spouse, cohabitant, or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence. He was released after posting a $25,000 bail. The incident reportedly occurred in Yountville, California, where deputies responded to a domestic violence call before 10 a.m. While injuries were involved, no victim has been publicly identified. Chigvintsev has been married to former WWE wrestler Nikki Garcia (known professionally as Nikki Bella) since 2022, but it remains unclear whether she was involved in the incident.
Burke expressed her sympathy for everyone affected by the situation, stating, “My heart goes out to everyone involved. It’s just really hard for me ’cause he’s my family. I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody’s OK.” Her voice filled with emotion, Burke acknowledged the seriousness of domestic violence and her hopes for the safety and well-being of Chigvintsev’s family, including his child and wife.
Reflecting on her long-time friendship with Chigvintsev, Burke said, “Domestic violence and Artem don’t really…,” trailing off as she struggled to reconcile the news with the person she knows. She admitted that she, like many fans of the show, is still processing the arrest and waiting for more details to emerge.
“It’s Just Really Hard For Me Because He’s My Family”: DWTS Star Cheryl Burke Reacts To Artem Chigvintsev’s Arrest https://t.co/8diABGyogO #Celebrity #ArtemChigvintsev
— FirstCuriosity (@FirstCuriosity) September 1, 2024
Burke has been a prominent figure on Dancing With the Stars since joining in Season 2, winning two mirror ball trophies and competing in 26 seasons. Chigvintsev, who has been with the show for 12 seasons and won the competition in 2020, is not scheduled to participate in the upcoming 33rd season, which premieres on September 17.
Following the arrest, a representative for Nikki Garcia released a statement requesting privacy for her and her family, emphasizing that this is a private matter. As the situation continues to unfold, both the Dancing With the Stars community and fans remain eager for updates and hope for the well-being of everyone involved.
Key Points:
- Cheryl Burke expressed shock and concern over the arrest of her friend Artem Chigvintsev on charges related to domestic violence.
- Chigvintsev was arrested in Napa County, California, on August 29 for allegedly injuring a spouse, cohabitant, or fellow parent, and was released on bail.
- The incident reportedly involved injuries, but no victim has been identified; it is unclear if his wife, Nikki Garcia, was involved.
- Burke, who has known Chigvintsev for many years, shared her emotional reaction on her podcast and hopes for the safety of his family.
- Nikki Garcia’s representative asked for privacy, stating the matter is private as the community awaits further updates.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
