Cheryl Burke speaks out on Artem Chigvintsev’s ‘shocking’ domestic violence arrest: ‘He was my family’

Cheryl Burke got emotional while discussing Artem Chigvintsev’s “shocking” domestic violence arrest on the latest episode of her “Sex, Lies and Spray Tans” podcast.

“I hesitate to smile right now because of the current news … which I am in complete shock about,” she began Thursday’s episode, which was recorded just hours after her former “Dancing With the Stars” co-star was taken into custody.

Burke, 40, described Chigvintsev, 42, as someone she had “grown up with” and revealed they “used to live together” in her “family’s home in the [San Francisco] Bay area.”

Cheryl Burke addressed Artem Chigvintsev’s arrest on her podcast Thursday. sexliesandspraytans/Instagram Burke was “shocked” to learn he had been arrested for domestic violence. Napa County Department of Corrections

“Artem — it’s so shocking, I get kind of emotional — so he was arrested today. And domestic violence has been thrown in the mix,” she said.

“I’m not going to say that he was charged with [that] but allegedly, domestic violence was the issue and he has a bail of like $25,000.”

Chigvintsev was arrested and charged with felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant — which is generally defined as willfully inflicting physical injury to a person.

He was released on bail a few hours after his arrest on Thursday.

Chigvintsev was arrested and charged with felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant early Thursday morning. Getty Images for SiriusXM Burke got emotional while talking about the situation. Getty Images

“My heart goes out to everyone involved,” Burke continued. “It’s just really hard for me because he is my family and I don’t know what to say here other than I hope everybody is okay.”

“Domestic violence is serious,” she added, noting that she “hopes” his 4-year-old son Matteo and wife Nikki Garcia — formerly known as Nikki Bella — are both “OK.”

The professional dancers have known each other for decades from the ballroom community and became even closer when Chigvintsev joined Burke on “Dancing With the Stars” in 2014.

The professional dancers have known each other for years and even used to live together. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Chigvintsev joined “Dancing With the Stars” in 2014. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

The pair competed against one another on the competition series seven times and even maintained a friendship after Burke officially retired in 2022.

Burke hinted that she never expected Chigvintsev to be accused of something of this nature.

“Domestic violence and Artem don’t really… that’s why it’s so shocking,” Burke admitted.

Chigvintsev also met his now-wife, Nikki Garcia, on the competition series. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Burke explained that she considers the Russian dancer to be “family.” ABC via Getty Images

Emergency first responders were reportedly called to Chigvintsev and Garcia’s home in Napa Valley early Thursday morning.

Insiders told TMZ that Chigvintsev himself called 911 around 8:30 a.m. for a “medical emergency” but later called back and asked them not to come.

However, police still responded to the call and later arrested the Russian dancer after observing injuries on the alleged victim, who has not been identified.

Chigvintsev wed the WWE star in 2022. theartemc/Instagram They share a 4-year-old son. theartemc/Instagram

According to TMZ, Chigvintsev had been in a “bad mood” after not being selected as a pro for the upcoming season of “DWTS.” Page Six confirmed that the show had “no plans” to cast him this season – even before the arrest.

The incident occurred just two days after the WWE star and Chigvintsev, who met on “DWTS,” celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.