”That’s what happens when you’re the breadwinner” - Nikki Garcia speaks out after $200K divorce payout to ex-husband

Nikki Garcia, 41, appears unaffected by the $200,000 divorce settlement. She is now taking control of the narrative regarding her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev, sharing her side of the story. In the May 22, 2025, episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, the former WWE star opened up, showcasing her authentic self to clarify that "you can't believe everything you read," as noted in the podcast's YouTube description.

While chatting with her twin sister, Brie Garcia, she opened up about the $200,000 divorce settlement she was ordered to pay.

Reflecting on the legal outcome, Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, said:

"Divorce has to deal with the paper, the contract you signed during marriage. The day of marriage, at the court before marriage, whatever. So, our settlement is what everyone saw. Yes, I had to give him $200,000. Spousal support, alimony."

Per Us Weekly, Brie remarked in between, stating,

"That’s what happens when you’re the breadwinner."

Nikki Garcia addressed misconceptions about the $200K divorce payout to ex-husband, Artem Chigvintsev

During her candid conversation with Brie, Nikki clarified the false assumptions circulating on the internet. She pointed out that she was ordered to pay the hefty settlement amount due to financial agreements from their marriage. It was not meant to be connected with Artem's arrest for suspected domestic violence.

She straightened things out, adding,

"The divorce has nothing to do with what happened, the incident, any of that."

While Garcia felt proud of her accomplishments and how she had amassed an impressive net worth through her successful business empire, she did not expect to pay a hefty amount for her divorce settlement, according to People.

The popular TV personality chimed in,

"There's a lot of different things that happen to make that number. I got a steal, I'm not gonna lie, which is crazy to say."

Nikki Garcia highlighted the fact that the judge, who took over her private mediation with Chigvintsev, shared that this settlement was,

"The first time in all the years I've done this where a woman had to pay a man."

Praising and hyping her, the judge further continued,

"You should be so damn proud that you built such an empire that someone wants a piece of it. Now let me tell you the learning lesson. If you ever get married again, promise me you will make them sign a prenup."

Nikki promised them to sign a prenup, with the judge explaining later,

"Hard lesson to learn today because of the money you're gonna have to pay out, but be damn proud of yourself.' And it was nice to hear that."

Nikki Garcia is clearly fed up with all the misinterpretations regarding her divorce settlement with her ex-partner. Bringing attention to how people reacted to the payout, claiming she was "guilty," "lost," or "a liar," she stated,

"I haven't lied about one thing and I'm gonna just make that clear. I have not lied about one thing. I have been so damn honest from day one and that's why, when everyone says she's glowing, she's so happy — [it's] because I've lived in my truth."

She dispelled false assumptions, calling out,

"They’re all like, 'Oh, so he got the money because she lost.' No, no, no. Child support. If you are the breadwinner, if you make more money, it is literally a state calculator."

Garcia also provided clarity, mentioning that,

"They put in the incomes, and they go, 'Boom, this one makes more money. This is what you owe per month.'"

Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev officially separated on August 29, 2024, the same day the Dancing with the Stars champion was arrested in Napa on suspicion of domestic violence. On September 11, 2024, the WWE celebrity filed for divorce, citing "irreconcilable differences".