Former Dancing With the Stars pro Cheryl Burke opened up about former colleague and close friend Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest earlier this week, calling it “shocking.”
“I hesitate to smile right now because of the current news … which I am in complete shock about,” she began in an Aug. 30 episode of her iHeart podcast Sex, Lies and Spray Tans. The dancer, who has competed alongside Chigvintsev for a significant chunk of the show’s airing, described him as “someone who I’ve grown up with,” as they used to live together in her family’s home in the Bay Area.
As previously reported by Deadline, Chigvintsev was arrested early on Aug. 29 in Napa County, Calif. on California penal code 273.5(a), which makes it illegal to injure a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent in an act of domestic violence. He was released after posting bail set at $25,000.
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“My heart goes out to everyone involved,” Burke said. “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.”
Speaking in a somber tone, Burke said she gets “kind of emotional” and is processing the news alongside fans of the show. “Domestic violence is so serious, and I guess we’ll soon be updated with whatever rolls out,” she said. “I just hope his kid’s OK, his wife. This is kind of shocking for me still.”
“Domestic violence and Artem don’t really …” she said, trailing off, “that’s why it’s so shocking.”
Per previous reporting, the incident took place in Yountville, Calif. prior to 10 a.m., when deputies responded to a domestic violence call. An arrest was made at the scene, and injuries were reportedly involved, though no victim was identified. Chigvintsev has been married to former WWE wrestler Nikki Garcia (aka Nikki Bella) since 2022, but it’s unclear whether she was involved in the incident.
Burke has been a fixture of DWTS since she joined in Season 2, winning two mirror ball trophies and participating in 26 seasons. Meanwhile, Chigvintsev has competed on the show for a dozen seasons, winning in 2020. He is not set to be part of the upcoming series’ 33rd season, which will debut Sept. 17.
A day after the arrest, a representative of Garcia’s told People in a statement, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”