Lea Thompson is looking back on her time on Dancing With the Stars — and her partnership with “intense” professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev, who was recently arrested on suspicion of domestic violence.
The Back to the Future actress and Chigvintsev were partnered during season 19 of the ABC reality series in 2014. After they placed in sixth, future host Alfonso Ribeiro and pro Witney Carson took home the Mirrorball Trophy.
Thompson recalled her rocky partnership with Chigvintsev on the latest episode of former DWTS pro Cheryl Burke's Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans podcast. She said the experience was “hard working with him because it was his first year and it was a big deal to him.”
“He was so intense. It was so much more important to him than to me, honestly. And so that made me really nervous, made me crazy after a while.”
Thompson alleged that she and Chigvintsev struggled with their creative differences.
“It was also really really hard for me because I was a ballet dancer and a modern dancer. First day, he was like, ‘I’ve never taken any of that stuff, I’ve only taken ballroom,’” Thompson told host and former DWTS pro Cheryl Burke. “All this stuff that I knew, he knew none of that. I was never allowed to say, ‘Can I try this?’ He would get so mad at me.”
Thompson called Chigvintsev “so implacable,” adding, “That was hard because you’re supposed to also kind of love them.”
“I remember him telling me that men are much better than women. And I said, ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘Because they’re stronger,’” Thompson said. “And I was like, ‘But they don’t have babies. I’ve had a baby.”
Despite their differences, Thompson said she was “surprised” by Chigvintsev’s recent arrest. “He has a cat, what can I say!” Thompson said. “Or, he had a cat. … I don’t know what happened.”
Chigvintsev was arrested on domestic violence charges late last month. Per online jail records viewed by Us Weekly, he was taken into Napa County, California, police custody on August 29 and was released hours later after posting $25,000 bail.
Chigvintsev, who wed Garcia in 2022, was arrested on charges under section 273.5(a) of the California Penal Code, pertaining to a person who has injured a spouse, cohabitant or fellow parent.
Napa Valley Sheriff PIO Henry Wofford told Us that the department spoke with the victim, who “requested complete confidentiality.”
Garcia, who shares 4-year-old son Matteo with Chigvintsev, has yet to break her silence on the incident. A rep for Garcia told Us in a statement, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”
H2. 'Dancing With the Stars' Pro Artem Chigvintsev's Domestic Violence Arrest
Chigvintsev's arrest on August 29, 2024, sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. The incident occurred just three days after he and his wife, Nikki Bella, celebrated their second wedding anniversary.
Bella, a former professional wrestler, has not publicly commented on the arrest, but a representative for her asked for privacy for her and her family.
H2. The Impact on Chigvintsev's Career
Chigvintsev's future on Dancing With the Stars remains unclear. It is unknown whether he will participate in the upcoming season due to this incident. However, a source confirmed that there were no plans for him to be involved in the 33rd season of the show.
H3. Chigvintsev's Past Controversies
This is not the first time Chigvintsev has faced accusations of inappropriate behavior. In 2015, he denied “kicking and shoving” Fern Britton during their time training together for the British dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. Britton claimed that Chigvintsev would “look at her feet and just kick or shove” before jokingly telling her “shut your face” and “go home before I kill you”. Chigvintsev insisted that Britton’s statements “do not reflect any situation [he] recognizes”.
H2. Lea Thompson's Perspective
Thompson's comments provide a glimpse into the dynamics of the show and the pressures faced by the dancers. She highlights the intense environment and the often-hidden struggles behind the glitz and glamour.
H2. A Look Back at Thompson's DWTS Journey
Thompson's time on Dancing With the Stars was not without its challenges, even beyond her partnership with Chigvintsev. She described the production process as “a Hunger Games part of it because they did some really crappy things to me.” Thompson recounted one instance where Chigvintsev's costume was changed last minute, disrupting a planned lift.
H2. The Need for Sensitivity and Support in the Reality TV World
Lawson and Izzo, both veterans of reality television, emphasize the need for greater empathy and understanding for contestants. They plan to use their new podcast, Tap In, to address these issues and provide a platform for others to share their experiences.
Thompson, Lawson, and Izzo's experiences offer a stark reminder that reality TV is not just about entertainment, it's about real people with real lives. It is crucial to remember that behind the cameras, there are often hidden struggles and the need for support and sensitivity.
