Done with the distance.
Nikki Bella revealed that she went through a "rough patch" with fiancé Artem Chigvintsev due to spending time apart for their respective careers.
"This is the longest we haven't seen each other," Nikki opened up during her The Bellas Podcast with twin sister Brie Bella on Nov. 10, citing that she has spent over six weeks away from Artem while he's filming Dancing With the Stars and she serves as a judge for the upcoming America's Got Talent: Extreme.
She continued, "It's been hard on [Artem] and it's been hard on me too, to not have my man in my bed."
The Total Bellas star also shared that she struggles co-parenting 15-month-old son Matteo Chigvintsev with Artem from afar. "Teo goes everywhere with mama," Nikki noted. "That's where he's comfortable, that's where he does best. [But] when you're away from each other, there's different time zones. Myself having Matteo and working long hours, I need Artem to check in in ways of like, 'How are you? how are you doing? How's Matteo doing? What can I do?'"
Nikki continued, "Sometimes I feel like the other person, mainly the dads, they get into this [space of thinking] they FaceTimed and that's great, and they get on the phone and that's where it ends for them. And it's just hard when the involvement beyond that isn't there."
And, all the "to-do lists" fall on Nikki. "I'm doing the whole family's to-do lists, Matteo's to-do lists, the house we're building's to-do list," the WWE Hall of Fame inductee added. "All the to-do lists are going in my head so that just causes a little bit of tension in a relationship."
But, since returning to therapy with Artem, Nikki noted that they're "doing great" as a couple. "We're in a really in a good spot. We were doing a little rocky for a bit," Nikki concluded. "Now we're stronger than ever."
Relieve their road to romance below!
Long before the two paired up in real life, Nikki and Artem were dance partners during DWTS' 25th season back in 2017. Here, Artem kisses the Bella twin's hand for a promotional shot.
Just weeks before the pair would go on to publicly confirm their romance, Artem made several appearances on Nikki's Instagram Story and Instagram Live videos before and during Total Bellas' March 10 episode. Why? The Bella twin explained that Artem would be joining her in live tweeting the episode, though that wasn't the only reason for his social media cameo. "I have a special guest who had a really fun Sunday fun day with me," she told fans in the Live video, before explaining they spent the afternoon enjoying ramen and non-alcoholic beer together.
Artem followed Nikki's adorable Instagram post with one of his own the following the day. The scenic shot pictures a giddy-looking Nikki smiling and covering Artem's face while his arm is wrapped sweetly around her waist.
Trailing Total Bellas' fourth season finale, the WWE star took to Instagram Sunday night, March 24, with an adorable snapshot that sees her planting a sweet kiss on the DWTS pro's cheek—and looking about as smitten as he does. The photo seemed to reemphasize what the final moments of Sunday's episode already confirmed: that Nikki and Artem are, in fact, doing the romance thing. "Well after that season finale," she wrote in the post's caption, adding that her and Artem's relationship is the "first thing I'll be talking about" during Wednesday's upcoming episode of The Bellas Podcast. Stay tuned!
Artem and Nikki hold hands during a daytime date in Washington, D.C.
Brie posted this cute pic of her, Birdie, Nikki and Artem grabbing breakfast together in NYC in April 2019.
Nikki and Artem cuddle in bed with her pup Winston.
The two are muy caliete!
The WWE beauty celebrated Cinco de Mayo early with a romantic trip with her man.
Nikki and Artem cuddle up while in Disney with Brie and Bryan.
Artem made his first appearance on the Bellas' podcast in May 2019 and the lovebirds didn't shy away from talking about their relationship.
Nikki snapped a screenshot of her and Artem on Total Bellas!
"Besties and Wine equals a GOOD time!! #napavalley #bottlerock #winetasting"
"In honor of my Khaleesi, forever my Queen of Dragons. And love BottleRock with my A. (nickname by the Bird)," Nikki wrote.
Artem and Nikki enjoy a weekend getaway to the BottleRock music festival in Napa, California.
"Happy Birthday to a man who not only makes my face smile, but my heart. You're a special one Mr. Chigvintsev! Your relaxing, calm, patient, kind, happy energy and aura is contagious! You truly are the kindest soul I have ever met. Thank you for bringing a lot of sunshine into my life. Happy Birthday my Artem!" Nikki wished her beau in June 2019.
"hands free 10 second selfie."
Artem sweeps Nikki off her feet! "Lake Tahoe makes my soul smile & my inner child come out and play!" she wrote on Instagram.
Nikki and Artem's Lake Tahoe photo shoot was hotter than the weather on 4th of July.
Nikki and Artem soaking up some sun.
Artem joins Nikki and Brie Bella on a trip to Mexicali as the twins attempt to reunite with their estranged father.
Nikki sneaks in a selfie amid her attempt to "seduce my way into getting a foot massage."
The pair spent quality family time together during a trip to Lake Tahoe in August 2021.
Nikki took to Instagram in August 2019 to share a message about her "new beginning" with Artem. "As I start a new amazing journey with @totalbellas and my life, my @theartemc is starting the same," the retired WWE star wrote. "And I am so excited for him to be on this journey with me. I'm thankful for him to showcase his life, love, ups and downs not only for me but for my Bella Army and my Total Bellas viewers."
Nikki encouraged the Bella Army to vote for Artem and his DWTS partner, Melora Hardin, with the adorable pic.
Being a supportive wife, Nikki encouraged fans to vote for Artem and partner Heidi D'Amelio on Dancing With the Stars with this cute photo.
Let happy hour for the hardworking couple commence!
Seriously, could they get any cuter?
Nikki and her "4 lifer," as she put it in the caption of this October snap.