Nikki Bella has recently offered a candid reflection on the conclusion of her engagement to John Cena. In a revealing conversation ahead of the premiere of the Biography: WWE Legends series featuring her and her twin sister Brie, Nikki discussed the complexities that led to the end of her six-year relationship with the wrestling icon turned Hollywood star.
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Nikki, 38, delved into the emotional nuances of parting ways with Cena, 45. She articulated the paradoxical nature of their breakup, stating, “You almost wish it was bad, because it’s so much easier to walk away.” She elaborated on the difficulty of ending a relationship rooted in love, highlighting the common predicament many women face: loving someone deeply while simultaneously questioning the compatibility of the relationship with their life’s trajectory.
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Nikki, known for her role in Total Bellas, described an intense internal struggle leading up to her decision to end things with John Cena. She recounted a period of fervent prayer, ultimately culminating in a profound gut feeling that she needed to leave the relationship. Despite external expectations and perhaps disbelief from those around her, Nikki acted on this powerful intuition. Her primary concern, she explained, was the prospect of bringing a child into a relationship where she felt uncertain about the long-term compatibility.
This pivotal decision paved the way for a new chapter in Nikki’s life, marked by the arrival of Artem Chigvintsev. She affectionately referred to her current fiancé, a professional dancer from Dancing with the Stars whom she met during her appearance on the show in 2017, as someone who “waltzed into my life.”
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Reflecting on this transition, Nikki expressed a sense of divine providence and the importance of trusting one’s instincts. She believes that heeding her intuition and taking a leap of faith led to positive outcomes in her life. While she was engaged to Cena during her stint on DWTS, their final separation occurred in July 2018.
Subsequently, Nikki and Artem reconnected, making their relationship public in July 2019. Their journey together progressed swiftly, with an engagement in November 2019 and the birth of their son, Matteo, in July 2020.
In a previous interview with PEOPLE, Nikki addressed the extended engagement with Artem, attributing it to various life events, including building a house together and prioritizing their roles as parents. She also acknowledged the lingering public interest in her personal life, stemming from her years on reality television, which sometimes prompts her to defend their relationship timeline. Nikki emphasized that their current focus is navigating the stresses of life and family, with wedding plans taking a backseat to more immediate priorities.
The Biography: WWE Legends episode featuring The Bella Twins premiered on July 24, offering fans further insights into their lives and careers.
