Nikki Garcia is still uninterested in dipping her toes back in the dating pool more than a year after her divorce from her ex-husband, Artem Chigvintsev.
“Things would change,” Garcia, 42, exclusively told Us at A Night with Madam Paleta, Nikki Bella and Rosa Mexicano at the Lincoln Center in New York City on Tuesday, October 6, while discussing her “celibate” era and whether she would change her mind if Mr. Right came along.
“I at times feel like — not that I have that door closed — but I think it’s when you’re not looking,” the WWE star continued. “[I’m] like, “Why is it that, like, I was at the Eagles game, and people are coming up and introducing me to people or FaceTiming with guys, [who are like,] so I want to connect you?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not looking for … a team to have.’”
Garcia said she isn’t prioritizing dating right now in favor of focusing on her busy career and raising son Matteo, 6, with Chigvintsev, 44.
“I think it’s because I work hard when I’m on the road, and I go home and I go straight into mom mode,” she explained. “So I literally haven’t been on a date. I might text with a few people. I have some guys in my text messages that make me smile. Actually, one, he’s gained a lot of points in making me smile.”
Garcia added that she’s realized she’s misusing the word “celibate,” but she’s “pretty much there.”
“But not by choice. Oh — maybe, actually by choice,” she quipped.
Garcia and Chigvintsev welcomed their son in 2020 and tied the knot two years later. The pair separated in August 2024, and their split was finalized in May 2025.
While speaking to Us on Tuesday, Garcia shared an update on single motherhood and offered advice to other coparents.
“Raising him is absolutely amazing,” she said of her son. “And my advice to a lot of people who are in coparenting relationships … the more that you can keep your relationship with your ex-partner, like, you keep that out of it. You put your child first, and it’s all about your child.”
Garcia added, “The minute I land, whether it’s from wrestling or [an] appearance, I’m driving straight to my baby boy. I pick him up, and I’m in mom mode that whole time. And he’s just the smartest, sweetest, cutest little human being, and he’s such a mama’s boy. And it’s not only, like, the best job, but it’s just the greatest thing to be a mom, and he’s my everything. And I would quit everything just to be with him all the time.”
Garcia concluded, “You always keep the kid first, keep the drama out of it, and just push through because it’ll be worth it one day. It really will be.”
Garcia is partnering with Madam Paleta Tequila as the brand’s Chief Margarita Officer to debut the Rosa Tamarita, inspired by the pro wrestler’s favorite drink, at participating Rosa Mexicano locations beginning in November.
“You know, I love margaritas,” she told Us. “I mean, margaritas are my thing, and also I’m just very picky with my tequila. And as you know, a lot of us in the industry, you get all these amazing brand deals and endorsements and collaborations.”
Garcia continued, “And so when Madam Paleta came around, I was like, ‘Wait a minute! OK, one, women-run and founded. Here we go.’ That got me, and then they sent me the product to try. One hundred percent blue agave, organic, super clean, and I never thought I would like flavors. And that tamarind just sold me. And I was like, I want to be with this company.’”
Garcia said she “fell in love” with the brand when she got to know “everyone behind the scenes.”
“And then now to have this partnership with Rosa Mexicano, it’s just kind of like a dream,” she added. “Like, everything’s coming together so perfectly, and I feel super blessed. And now I’ve really given the people the perfect spicy skinny.”
