About Artem
Biography
Artem Chigvintsev was born in Russia on 12 June 1982. He inherited his love of dance from his mother, taking dance classes from a young age. Winning numerous dance competitions in Russia he moved away at 15 to gain more training in Germany, Italy and England.
Artem arrived in Los Angeles in 2004 and in addition to appearing as a contestant on the first series of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ undertook various acting and choreography roles, appearing in ‘The O.C.’, the 80th Oscars ceremony, choreographing series two of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, and being one of the professional dancers on the US version of Strictly – ‘Dancing With The Stars’. Artem joined the company of a major touring dance show and travelled extensively performing on Broadway and in the West End.
In 2010, Artem joined the line up of professional dancers for series eight of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, going on to win the series with his celebrity partner Kara Tointon. In 2011 he was partnered with actress Holly Valance and they made it through to week 11 of the ninth series of Strictly. In 2012 Artem was partnered with Fern Britton and in 2013 he was partnered with Natalie Gumede reaching joint second place in The Strictly Come Dancing Final.
Artem has toured with the Strictly Come Dancing arena tour first in 2011 being partnered with Kara Tointon and in 2012 with Nancy Dell’Ollio, 2012 with Fern Britton and 2013 Natalie Gumede.
Artem also choreographed for the second series of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ on BBC One.
Artem is in the Guinness Book of Records, having taken part in the ‘It Takes Two’ challenge for the most botofogo steps in 30 seconds and managed 79 – a new World Record.
Of Strictly, Artem says “…performing on Strictly is indescribable, it is everything a dancer could wish for”, and on performing live he says “performing to a live audience is the ultimate experience for a dancer, their reaction to the dance is what makes it so special.”
Artem made the decision to leave Strictly Come Dancing this year to concentrate on gaining his American Citizenship he joined Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) in their Season 18 as a Troupe Member.
In September 2014 Artem was confirmed as a new Pro on Dancing With The Stars.
He danced Season 19 DWTS With his Celebrity Partner Lea Thompson.
Artem and Lea were eliminated in Week 9 (the Quarter Finals) and finished in 6th place.
On September 17th 2014 Artem became an American Citizen.
Artem was back for Season 20 of Dancing With The Stars in March 2015, his celebrity partner for the 10th year of (DWTS) is the Legendary singer/song writer and actress Patti LaBelle. Artem and Patti were eliminated in Week 6.
Artem danced for the second time with SWAY in New York City on June 5th & 6th 2015 brought together by Tony Dovolani, Val Chermkovskiy & Maks Chermkovskiy this show hosts the worlds most talented and highly ranked dancers showcasing their talents.
In September 2015 Artem filmed some scenes for upcoming Film ‘Shine’ Directed by Anthony Nardolillo The film is about Two brothers, once NYC’s renowned Salsa dancers, they are reunited years after the death of their father, on opposing ends of gentrification.
Artem was part of the Season 21 Professional Dancing cast which featured him and Peta Murgatroyd as the Poster dancers for season 21.
In October 2015 Artem took part in Harley Davidsons Pink Label Campaign for Breast Cancer using a Street Glide Motorcycle to promote Pink Label riding.
December 2015 Artem embarked on the Dancing With The Stars Winter Tour through until February 2016.
March 2106 Artem had a new celebrity partner for Season 22 of Dancing With The Stars, Mischa Barton who is known for being on The O.C. Mischa was Artems third Celebrity Partner on the show they made it to week 3.
Artem started Season 23 of Dancing With The Stars in August 2016 with his celebrity partner Maureen McCormick, from The Brady Bunch, they left the competition Week 7.
Artem worked on the blockbuster film La La Land (2016) starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, the film is an American romantic musical comedy-drama. Artem assisted Choreographer Mandy Moore in the Waltz scene. The film has had fantastic reviews tipped for many film industry awards this year. Artem was Ryan Goslings body double You’ll see Artem in the film if you look closely, as he waltzes across the night sky in silhouette, he also coached both Emma Stone and Ryan with their dance.
Artem was on the Dancing With The Stars ‘We Came To Dance Tour’ 2016/2017 touring the United States.
Artem was on Season 24 of Dancing With The Stars, with his celebrity partner Nancy Kerrigan, former Olympic Figure Skater.
Nancy and Artem made it to Week 7 leaving on a score of 36/40 for their Last Tango together.
Artem hit the road on the ‘Hot Summer Nights’ Dancing With The Stars Tour in June 2017.
Artem returned for Season 25 of Dancing With The Stars in September 2017 he will be dancing with his Celebrity Partner Nikki Bella WWE Wrestler, Actress, Model and star of the reality show Total Divas & Total Bellas.
Nikki and Artem left the competition in week 7 on Halloween night, in a shock double elimination.
Artem had two pieces of Choreography submitted for the 69th Emmy Awards in the category of ‘Outstanding Choreography’
Artem hit the road again on the Winter Dancing With The Stars Tour kicking off in December 2017 to March 2018
Artem was on Season 26 of Dancing With The Stars , Athletes edition, this is a new format for DWTS which is a shorter run of 4 weeks of only athletes dancing, the show premieres on April 30th 2018 on ABC with his Olympic Gold Medalist Snowboarder Jamie Anderson. Unfortunately due to the fast paced new 4 week season with two couples leaving each week Artem and Jamie left the competition on week 1.
Artem was a Mentor on the new Dancing With The Stars: Juniors airing in October 2018 for it’s premier, this is a new DWTS show, with a Pro Junior Tristan Ianiero and a celebrity junior who will be coached by Artem, having their eyes on the Junior Mirror Ball Trophy!
Artem returned for Season 27 of Dancing With The Stars his partner is Danelle Umstead the first ever Visually Impaired Contestant on DWTS, Danelle is a Paralympian who competes in Alpine Skiing, Downhill, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super-G, Super Combined she is B2, Visually Impaired. Danelle competes along with her Husband Rob as her guide, Aziza is her Guide Dog who makes an appearance on the show.
Artem and Danelle Umstead unfortunately only made it to Week 2 of the Competition, Danelle said ‘I want to do my impossible’ and her and Artem did exactly that.
Artem completed the Dancing With The Stars Tour , finishing in March 2019
Artem has been filming in the UK for a reality show called Celebs On The Farm, where different celebs compete with farm tasks and are voted off in turn. This will air in the UK later in 2019.
Artem was not on Season 28 of DWTS following a season change.
Artem along with Sharna Burgess choreographed for the SYTYCD Contestants (9/9/19)
Artem appeared on a reality game show in the UK called Coach Trip which travelled around Spain with each pair of celebs competing against each other in fun tasks.
Artem appeared on Season 5 of Total Bellas, the reality show following his girlfriend Nikki Bella & her sister Brie Bella.
In November 2019 Artem and Nikki Garcia got engaged in Burgundy France.
On the July 31st 2020 Nikki and Artem became proud parents to a baby boy Matteo Chigvintsev.
Artem started Season 29 of Dancing With The Stars in August 2020 and is was partnered with Kaitlyn Bristowe from the Bachelorette.
On November 23rd 2020 Artem and Kaitlyn Won The Dancing With The Stars Mirror Ball Trophy for Season 29!
Artem dedicated his Season 29 to his newborn Son Matteo with the hashtag #forteo
Artem is the only Pro Dancer to Win a Mirror Ball Trophy on both the UK version Strictly Come Dancing & the USA version Dancing With The Stars just under 10 years apart.
UK – 18th December 2010 with Kara Tointon and Dancing With The Stars (USA) on 23rd November 2020 with Kaitlyn Bristowe
On July 13th 2021 Artem was Nominated for a Emmy Award in the category of ‘Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming’ Dancing With The Stars • Routines: Argentine Tango – Toxic / Freestyle – Sparkling Diamonds • ABC • BBC Studios.
Dancing with the Stars Season 30 (2021) Artem was paired with the lovely Melora Hardin, (NBC’s The Office, The Bold Type) Melora and Artem were sadly eliminated at the Semi Final Stage of the competition.
Artem is currently on the Season 30 Dancing With The Stars Tour 2022. Which had been on a sabbatical following the Covid Pandemic
Artem is a keen biker owning several motorbikes currently a Custom Harley Davidson and a Ducati Scrambler. Also a big fan of Formula 1 and loves to cook when he has time, with lots of his recipes on his Instagram account ( @TheArtemC )
Artem married his long time partner Nikki Garcia in Paris on August 26th 2022
Artem is back on Season 31 of Dancing With The Stars which is now streamed Live on the Disney Plus Channel. Artems new celebrity Dance Partner is Heidi D’Amelio who will be competing alongside her daughter on the show. Unfortunately at week 9 (quarterfinals) Artem & Heidi were voted off in the dreaded double elimination.
Artem lives in Napa, California with his Wife Nikki Garcia and their young Son Matteo.