Photo by Morgan Sessions on Unsplash
I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for an engagement announcement! After following along for 4 years out of the 6-year roller coaster Nikki experienced with John Cena – the whole will he marry her (oh he will) but does he want kids (oh he doesn’t) scenario really pulled on my heartstrings. But turns out the love of her life was sitting right in front of her.
Enter Artem Chigvintsev…
The now couple met on the set of Dancing with the Stars back in 2017 where he was a pro dancer and Nikki was his celebrity partner. So just in case you forgot or have no idea who I’m talking about, here’s a refresher on all things Nikki and Artem:
Septemer 6, 2017
Nikki and Artem are announced as partners on Dancing with the Stars
Look how much he already adores her lol. That kiss on the hand is so precious. But really, I didn’t think much of the partnership when it was announced. Nikki was with John and I didn’t know much about Artem except that he was this sexy Russian dude and he used to date Carrie Ann (oh yeah but that’s different tea for another day)
September 18, 2017
They Share Their First Dance
They had so much chemistry here but so do literally all the couples so you really never know with this show.
October 2017
Some Serious Foreshadowing:
Nikki posted this photo of the two on Instagram with a caption about taking her to Paris. If you didn’t know they literally got engaged in Paris. Way to manifest what you want — atta girl!
October 31, 2017
They Get Eliminated from DWTS.
December 19, 2017
Save the Last Dance
Artem and Nikki kept dancing after the show ended. She was still with John Cena at this point. And I know dancers are super passionate but I mean come on, you can totally see the passion between these two. Am I right?
April 2018
Nikki and John Break Up
March 24, 2019
Artem’s Appearance on Total Bellas
This appearance happened on the season finale and basically Nikki and Artem ride off into the sunset on his motorcycle. But they didn’t say they were together. She was just “going on dates” with him at this point. Assuming that reality TV is 6 months behind the real world, let’s say all this went down in late 2018 and then aired in March of 2019.
March 24, 2019
First Appearance on Instagram as a Couple
So the same night the season finale of Total Bellas aired, we got this post from Nikki and Artem posted something as well.
May 2019
Artem’s first appearance on the Bellas Podcast
I was literally so excited for Artem to appear on this podcast. It was after the season finale of Total Bellas with the biggest cliffhanger on their relationship status.
September 2019
Artem gets cut from DWTS
In a shocking turn of events, Dancing With the Stars decided to cut fan favorites Artem and Sharna from the 28 of the series. It was so heartbreaking because I know they viewed that show as family and they got ZERO notice they were about to be cut. But Sharna and Artem are working together to choreograph stuff on So You Think You Can Dance now so all is right in the world 🙂
November 2019
Nikki and Artem Go To Paris To Meet His Parents
You know it’s real when you go to meet the parents. Nikki was talking about this on the podcast and expressed excitement about going to meet Artem’s parents in Paris. Didn’t really think much of it until…
January 3, 2019:
Announce Engagement
Apparently, these two got engaged in Paris and have been keeping it a secret for the last 2 months. If anything this teaches us that it is totally possible to find true love after heartbreak. Less than 2 years ago Nikki lost who she thought was the love of her life and now she’s engaged and even happier with Artem.
Congratulations to the happy couple! I can’t wait to see all the babies they make lol.