Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, is stepping into a new chapter of her life following her high-profile divorce from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev. The Total Bellas star has been open about her thoughts on dating, self-growth, and what she wants moving forward. On a recent episode of her podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, the 41-year-old candidly discussed her relationship outlook, revealing she is looking for a man with wisdom and life experience rather than someone she would need to “train.”
Nikki Garcia Prefers Maturity Over Youth
During an engaging discussion on the podcast, Nikki made it clear that she is looking for a different kind of relationship after her split. While chatting with her twin sister, Brie Garcia, and guest Rocsi Diaz, Nikki joked about her preferences, saying, “Do we want to train? I wanted to be owned. I don’t want to be trained.”
She elaborated on her thoughts, making a bold statement about what she desires in a partner: “I want my body rocked.” This playful yet assertive comment suggested that she is seeking a confident, experienced partner who understands what they want in life.
Brie, who has been happily married for over a decade, responded to Nikki’s thoughts, saying, “I feel like I have a really good eye for good men—attractive, the whole package.”
Their conversation took a humorous turn as Nikki brought up the dating prospects at the recent Super Bowl LIX event in New Orleans. As she looked around at the crowd, she questioned why there weren’t more men from an older demographic, asking, “Where are the retired ones? The ones that have some wisdom and age?”
Rocsi Diaz reassured her that such men were present, saying, “You can see them. They’re around. They’re here somewhere.” Nikki, in agreement, added, “They’ve experienced life a little bit.”
Despite her initial inclination toward mature men, both Brie and Diaz encouraged her to remain open-minded, even suggesting she explore dating younger men. Brie playfully advised, “I was going to say, don’t do retirement!”
Nikki, keeping an open perspective, eventually relented, saying, “You’re right. No. I’ll just do it all. Do young. I’ll do retirement.”
Diaz concluded the discussion by telling Nikki to “live in the moment,” which the reality star seemed to take to heart.
Brie Garcia Supports Nikki’s New Journey
Brie Garcia has been a strong support system for Nikki as she navigates life after divorce. While attending Super Bowl LIX, Brie playfully admitted to scouting out potential new romantic interests for her sister.
She recalled telling Nikki, “Last night, I was like, ‘Nicole, this is your first time being single at the Super Bowl,’” hinting at the exciting possibilities that come with her newfound freedom.
Brie, who has been happily married to Bryan Danielson for over ten years, admitted she was more excited about Nikki’s dating prospects than Nikki herself. “I already am thinking and listening,” she teased.
Nikki, acknowledging her sister’s enthusiasm, responded, “I feel like she’s more excited about it than me!” However, she made it clear that she is still healing from her divorce, indicating that she is taking things at her own pace.
Brie, understanding Nikki’s hesitation, reassured her by sharing her own happiness in marriage, saying, “I’m in an amazing marriage. We’ve been married 10 years, together 14, and I’m like, ‘I get to have some fun through you now.’”
Reflections on Her Divorce from Artem Chigvintsev
Nikki’s reflections on dating come just months after finalizing her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev. The couple, who first met on Dancing with the Stars and later got engaged, had been together for several years before their relationship took a turn.
In September 2024, Nikki filed for divorce, just weeks after Chigvintsev was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence at their home in Napa Valley, California. The incident made headlines, but the district attorney ultimately declined to press charges, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.
Despite the legal complications and public scrutiny, Nikki and Artem opted for private mediation to resolve their separation. By November 2024, they had reached a settlement agreement.
Since the divorce, Nikki has been open about the emotional toll it has taken on her. In a December 2024 episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, she reflected on the pain of separation, saying, “It’s been really tough. I’ve been heartbroken. Sad. You know, you dream of having this family, and you have this incredible love, and it just goes the other way.”
She also spoke about how challenging it has been to protect their 4-year-old son, Matteo, from the emotional fallout. “I do want to continue to protect Matteo in those ways because that’s what’s been the hardest part about all this, and that’s been so heartbreaking. I didn’t know that your heart could break that many times in such a short period of time.”
Embracing Single Life and Future Possibilities
Although Nikki is still in the healing process, she is gradually opening herself up to new experiences. While attending the Super Bowl, she admitted that there was “a lot of eye candy” at the event, appreciating the mix of “all the muscles and the fashion, all the men, the manly men.”
For now, Nikki is focused on taking things one step at a time, embracing her single life, and exploring what the future holds. While she has yet to dive fully into the dating pool, she is keeping an open mind, balancing the excitement of new possibilities with the need for self-care and personal healing.
Her candid discussions about relationships and personal growth on The Nikki & Brie Show continue to resonate with fans, offering a raw and unfiltered look at life after a very public divorce. As she steps into this new chapter, Nikki Garcia remains a strong, independent woman who is learning to navigate love, life, and everything in between on her own terms.
The information is collected from MSN and Yahoo.
