It happened fast. One minute, Nikki Bella—now going by her birth name, Nikki Garcia—was posting a sweet second-anniversary tribute to her husband, Artem Chigvintsev. The next, the world was staring at a mugshot and a flurry of legal filings that felt like they came out of nowhere. Honestly, it’s one of those Hollywood splits that reminds you how little we actually see behind the Instagram filters.
The Nikki Bella divorced news cycle officially hit its peak in May 2025 when a judge finally signed off on the paperwork. But the road to that signature was messy, confusing, and full of accusations that neither side really wants to relive. You’ve likely heard snippets about the money or the drama in Napa, but the actual breakdown of the settlement is a bit of a head-scratcher if you aren't looking at the fine print.
What Really Went Down in Napa?
The timeline is pretty jarring. On August 29, 2024, Artem was arrested in Napa Valley, California. The charge? Felony corporal injury to a spouse. This wasn't some slow burn or a "drifting apart" situation that you see with most celebrity couples. It was explosive.
Nikki filed for divorce less than two weeks later.
There was a lot of back-and-forth about who was the "aggressor." Nikki alleged in court documents that Artem tackled her and pinned her down while their son, Matteo, was present. Artem fired back, claiming he was the one being attacked and even shared photos of scratches and marks. He basically said he called the police to de-escalate the situation.
Ultimately, the District Attorney decided not to file criminal charges. They cited a lack of evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. But for Nikki, the damage was done. The trust was gone. She didn't wait around for a trial to decide her future. She just wanted out.
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The $200,000 "Steal" and the Prenup Lesson
People were stunned when the financial details leaked. Usually, when a high-profile woman with a massive empire gets a divorce, we expect she’ll protect every cent. But the court ordered Nikki to pay Artem a $200,000 lump sum. On top of that, she’s on the hook for $3,500 a month in child support.
She’s also paying for their son’s:
- Health insurance
- Speech therapy
- Private preschool tuition
It sounds like a loss, right? Well, Nikki doesn’t see it that way. On her podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, she actually called the settlement a "steal."
Why? Because she walked away with her businesses intact. We’re talking about her wine label, Bonita Bonita, and her entertainment company. In the eyes of the law, without a solid prenup in place, Artem could have potentially gone after a much larger slice of the empire she spent decades building in the WWE and on reality TV.
The judge even told her, "You should be so damn proud that you built such an empire that someone wants a piece of it." But then the judge followed it up with a warning: if she ever marries again, get the prenup. It’s a lesson she says she’s learned the hard way.
Co-Parenting in the Aftermath
Despite the restraining orders that were flying around in late 2024, the two eventually dropped them. They had to. You can't raise a child effectively if you can't be in the same room. By the time 2025 rolled around, they had settled on a 50/50 joint custody arrangement for Matteo.
Nikki has been surprisingly open about the heartbreak. She’s mentioned on her show how she dreamed of the "forever" family and how hard it is to watch that dream turn into a "terrible love story." But she’s also focused on the reality of her son's life.
It’s a weirdly mature ending to a very volatile situation. They alternate holidays. They split the costs of extracurriculars. They’ve even managed to get on the same page for the sake of their five-year-old. It’s not the fairy tale anyone expected when they watched them fall in love on Dancing with the Stars, but it’s the version of peace they’ve managed to scrap together.
Moving On: The Cooper DeJean Rumors
By early 2026, the conversation shifted from the Nikki Bella divorced drama to her new dating life. And yeah, it’s a big shift. She’s been linked to Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean.
The age gap—about 20 years—has sent the internet into a tailspin.
Nikki was spotted at Eagles games wearing a No. 33 jersey. She even wore Eagles-inspired gear during a return to Monday Night RAW. While sources close to her say she’s "still very single" and just enjoying life, the public appearances tell a story of someone who is finally ready to stop looking backward.
Cooper DeJean is a rising star in the NFL, having just come off a Super Bowl win with the Eagles in early 2025. It’s a high-profile pairing that feels very "Nikki Bella"—glamorous, athletic, and controversial. Whether it’s a serious romance or just some post-divorce fun, it’s clear she isn't letting the trauma of the past two years keep her in hiding.
Actionable Insights for the Future
Watching a celebrity navigate a public split like this offers some pretty practical takeaways for the rest of us. It isn't just gossip; it's a look at how legal and emotional boundaries work.
- Audit Your Assets: If you’re an entrepreneur or have a high net worth, understand that marriage is a legal contract first. If you don't have a prenup, you are at the mercy of state laws and judicial discretion.
- Prioritize the Kids: Nikki and Artem’s decision to drop restraining orders and enter private mediation saved them thousands in legal fees and protected their son from a prolonged public court battle.
- Healing is Non-Linear: Nikki has admitted to needing space for "facing trauma head-on." Moving on doesn't mean the pain is gone; it just means you're choosing to live alongside it.
- The Power of Branding: Notice how Nikki reclaimed her name, Nikki Garcia, but kept the "Nikki Bella" brand for her professional appearances. Separating your personal identity from your public brand is a smart move during a messy split.
The story of Nikki Bella getting divorced isn't just about a failed marriage. It's about a woman who realized that while she couldn't control the ending of her love story, she could absolutely control the future of her empire.