Nikki Bella Sets the Record Straight on Rumor She's Not Legally Married to Artem Chigvintsev

By Brett Malec Jan 27, 2023 7:04 PMTags
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Watch: Nikki & Artem Share Every MAGICAL Detail From Their Wedding

Nikki Bella is shooting down a major romance rumor.

The Nikki Bella Says I Do star is addressing recent online claims that she and husband Artem Chigvintsev aren't legally married, despite tying the knot during their August 2022 wedding in Paris.

"We are," the former WWE star assured fans during a Jan. 26 Watch What Happens Live appearance. "We have a license in Paris and we have a license here in the U.S. I mean, it's confidential so I don't know if someone tried to search for it and couldn't find it. We're legally married—twice. Two countries."

Twin sister Brie Bella, who was serving as bartender on the late-night Bravo talk show, confirmed, "I was witness to both."

Nikki, 39, and Artem, 40, made things official last summer in the city where they got engaged—Paris—surrounded by a small group of family and friends and, of course, their 2-year-old son Matteo Chigvintsev.

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First Look at Nikki Bella's Wedding Dress

"He was a ring bearer," Nikki exclusively told E! News earlier this week. "Me and Artem are obsessed with The Nutcracker and the story and the music, so Matteo was coming down the aisle to The Nutcracker."

However, she revealed, "Matteo never made it down the aisle," adding that fans will have to watch the season finale of Nikki Bella Says I Do to see what went down.

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"A lot of drama happened around that," she continued. "I just had this beautiful dream that my son would waltz down the aisle like his daddy in The Nutcracker and that did not happen. That was a lot of expectation for a 2-year-old."

Hear more wedding details from the duo in the interview above.

Follow Nikki and Artem's road to the altar on Nikki Bella Says I Do Thursdays at 9 p.m. on E!. And scroll down to relive the couple's love story.

A Different Sort of Smooch

Long before the two paired up in real life, Nikki and Artem were dance partners during DWTS' 25th season back in 2017. Here, Artem kisses the Bella twin's hand for a promotional shot.

Sunday Fun Day

Just weeks before the pair would go on to publicly confirm their romance, Artem made several appearances on Nikki's Instagram Story and Instagram Live videos before and during Total Bellas' March 10 episode. Why? The Bella twin explained that Artem would be joining her in live tweeting the episode, though that wasn't the only reason for his social media cameo. "I have a special guest who had a really fun Sunday fun day with me," she told fans in the Live video, before explaining they spent the afternoon enjoying ramen and non-alcoholic beer together.

Messing Around

Artem followed Nikki's adorable Instagram post with one of his own the following the day. The scenic shot pictures a giddy-looking Nikki smiling and covering Artem's face while his arm is wrapped sweetly around her waist. 

It's Official!

Trailing Total Bellas' fourth season finale, the WWE star took to Instagram Sunday night, March 24, with an adorable snapshot that sees her planting a sweet kiss on the DWTS pro's cheek—and looking about as smitten as he does. The photo seemed to reemphasize what the final moments of Sunday's episode already confirmed: that Nikki and Artem are, in fact, doing the romance thing. "Well after that season finale," she wrote in the post's caption, adding that her and Artem's relationship is the "first thing I'll be talking about" during Wednesday's upcoming episode of The Bellas Podcast. Stay tuned!

Wine Time

Artem and Nikki hold hands during a daytime date in Washington, D.C.

Breakfast With the Fam

Brie posted this cute pic of her, Birdie, Nikki and Artem grabbing breakfast together in NYC in April 2019.

Dog Pile

Nikki and Artem cuddle in bed with her pup Winston.

Ay, Ay, Ay

The two are muy caliete!

Muy Bonita

The WWE beauty celebrated Cinco de Mayo early with a romantic trip with her man.

Disney Date

Nikki and Artem cuddle up while in Disney with Brie and Bryan.

Podcast Official

Artem made his first appearance on the Bellas' podcast in May 2019 and the lovebirds didn't shy away from talking about their relationship.

Onscreen Romance

Nikki snapped a screenshot of her and Artem on Total Bellas!

Group Photo

"Besties and Wine equals a GOOD time!! #napavalley #bottlerock #winetasting"

Music Fest Lovefest

"In honor of my Khaleesi, forever my Queen of Dragons. And love BottleRock with my A. (nickname by the Bird)," Nikki wrote.

BottleRock Babes

Artem and Nikki enjoy a weekend getaway to the BottleRock music festival in Napa, California. 

Birthday Boy

"Happy Birthday to a man who not only makes my face smile, but my heart. You're a special one Mr. Chigvintsev! Your relaxing, calm, patient, kind, happy energy and aura is contagious! You truly are the kindest soul I have ever met. Thank you for bringing a lot of sunshine into my life. Happy Birthday my Artem!" Nikki wished her beau in June 2019.

Smooch!
Hands Off

"hands free 10 second selfie."

Happy

Artem sweeps Nikki off her feet! "Lake Tahoe makes my soul smile & my inner child come out and play!" she wrote on Instagram.

 
Picture Perfect

Nikki and Artem's Lake Tahoe photo shoot was hotter than the weather on 4th of July. 

Desert Selfie

Nikki and Artem soaking up some sun.

Mexicali Memories

Artem joins Nikki and Brie Bella on a trip to Mexicali as the twins attempt to reunite with their estranged father. 

Ahem...

Nikki sneaks in a selfie amid her attempt to "seduce my way into getting a foot massage."

Chilling At The Lake

The pair spent quality family time together during a trip to Lake Tahoe in August 2021.

New Beginning

Nikki took to Instagram in August 2019 to share a message about her "new beginning" with Artem. "As I start a new amazing journey with @totalbellas and my life, my @theartemc is starting the same," the retired WWE star wrote. "And I am so excited for him to be on this journey with me. I'm thankful for him to showcase his life, love, ups and downs not only for me but for my Bella Army and my Total Bellas viewers."

Vote For Artem!

Nikki encouraged the Bella Army to vote for Artem and his DWTS partner, Melora Hardin, with the adorable pic.

Couple Goals

Being a supportive wife, Nikki encouraged fans to vote for Artem and partner Heidi D'Amelio on Dancing With the Stars with this cute photo.

Cheers!

Let happy hour for the hardworking couple commence!

Cuddles

Seriously, could they get any cuter?

Together Forever

Nikki and her "4 lifer," as she put it in the caption of this October snap.

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View More Photos From Nikki Bella & Artem Chigvintsev's Cutest Pics

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