Nikki Garcia Fires Back at Critic Over Son Matteo Time
A hush falls across the digital stage, as maternal love and online chatter entwine in a delicate ballet of words and feelings.
By Maya Rivers
Nikki Garcia responded with measured grace on July 20 when a social media commenter dared to suggest her 4-year-old son, Matteo, “ever” sees her amid a busy schedule. The WWE star did not hesitate to set the record straight, sharing a screenshot of the exchange on her Instagram Story so everyone could witness her truth (source: E! News).
In her reply, Nikki asked, “Wonder if you write that to Dad’s? And yes he was with me 🙂 All week. Just because I don’t post him all the time doesn’t mean he isn’t with me. I try to keep as much as I can private for his sake.” She outlined a clear coparenting routine with ex-husband and Dancing with the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev, noting that Matteo spends most weekdays with her and that she drives straight to pick him up every Tuesday when she lands and drops him off on Sundays before work.
Garcia emphasized the strength of their partnership in raising Matteo. “Sometimes I am gone longer and his Dad and I have a great coparent system. He understands how much he needs his mommy,” she wrote, adding that she values her son’s privacy above all. “So please no more comments like this. Maybe shouldn’t have responded but triggered because a small group of you think if your kid isn’t posted all the time he isn’t with you.”
This exchange follows Nikki’s candid reflections on her 2024 divorce from Artem, which played out in public and in court. During the June 25 episode of Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour (source: Honestly Cavallari podcast), the wrestler explained how her on-screen persona led some to misconstrue her real character. “When you’re badass in a ring, people assume you’re not empathetic,” she said. She insisted that her role as a villain on Total Bellas does not define her real-life parenting style or emotional depth.
Garcia first met Artem in 2017 during Dancing with the Stars’ 25th season. Their chemistry evolved from dance partners to life partners—captured in playful Instagram Live ramen dates and sweet promotional shots before Total Bellas confirmed their romance. Fast forward to their split and Nikki remains focused on building a healthy environment for Matteo, free from sensationalism.
Despite the spotlight on celebrity breakups, Nikki’s response underscores a vital message: a mother’s love and consistency cannot be measured by an Instagram feed. She reminds us that behind every public post lies an untold story of care, routine, and private moments.
And so, the digital curtain falls on this chapter, leaving us eager to see how this coparenting saga will unfold next.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Honestly Cavallari podcast, Instagram
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
