Nikki Garcia and Ex-Husband Artem Chigvintsev Reunite for Son Matteo

Nikki Garcia is recalling a hilarious parenting moment with her ex-husband, Artem Chigvintsev, while celebrating son Matteo.

On the Monday, June 16, episode of “The Nikki and Brie Show” with Brie Garcia, Nikki, 41, recalled her sister purchasing an oversized balloon as a gift for Matteo, 4.

“I learned last year, you do not show up empty handed to kindergarten graduation, preschool graduation, because other parents have stuff and if you are the one parent without something grand,” Nikki said, to which Brie, 41, added, “And Nicole is that one. I was like, ‘You want me to get champagne and gift cards?’ And she’s like, ‘Yes, and nice champagne.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, my Gosh, I didn’t do this. But OK.’”

Nikki quipped that the balloon Brie picked out was the height of “two” Matteos standing.

“I come in with this balloon. And everyone’s are normal balloons. And I’m like, ‘Of course,’” Nikki said, to which Brie quipped, “They’re like, ‘Recently divorced family, there’s like the massive balloon.’”

After the celebration, Nikki handed Matteo the balloon and proceeded to take photos with Chigvintsev, 43.

“I’m taking photos of Artem and Matteo and then I ask Artem if [he] can take photos of me and Matteo. As we are switching the balloon off, the balloon goes flying in the air and Matteo screams. It gets caught in the tree, at least it’s in the tree. I’m like, ‘Go get it. Go get it.’ Matteo starts bawling crying,” Nikki recalled. “Everyone’s like talking about the balloon and I’m like, ‘Yeah, we need to get the balloon.’ Matteo won’t stop crying. So I ask Artem, ‘Can you go to Safeway and get another balloon because I don’t think we can get that down?’”

Nikki explained that the Dancing With the Stars pro went to the school and got a ladder, retrieving the original balloon — and Matteo was “so happy.”

“Matteo wants me to untie the balloon so he can run around with it. So I give it to him. As I give it to him, it starts going in the air. It gets wrapped around the lights,” Nikki said. “I’m jumping as fast and as hard as I can. But I felt like I was in slow-mo. I go, ‘Why am I jumping so slow?’”

Nikki quipped that “everyone” was making comments about the balloon before a “tall dad” put his son on his shoulders and “saved” the balloon.

“The balloon made it home and then Matteo forgot about it and didn’t care,” Nikki quipped. “And I just stare at that balloon.”

Nikki’s story comes nearly one year after news broke that Chigvintsev was arrested following an alleged incident with the WWE star. Us Weekly confirmed in September 2024 that the domestic violence charges against Chigvintsev were dropped by the Napa County District Attorney after an investigation.

The pair filed for divorce in September 2024. While Nikki requested full custody over Matteo, Chigvintsev sought joint custody. They both filed restraining orders against each other, which were dropped when they reached a divorce settlement in November 2024.

“Nikki and Artem have settled their divorce and will not be going to court,” Nikki’s’s rep said in a statement to Us at the time. “Both parties decided to drop the domestic violence restraining orders against each other in an effort to move on with their lives and effectively coparent their son.”

The statement continued, “Nikki’s number one priority has always been her son and privacy on the matter. She is thankful for all of the love and support she has received during this difficult time.”

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.