It’s been two years since WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella finalized her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev, and while rumors have swirled about her re-entering the dating scene, the former Divas Champion is finally setting the record straight about what she’s looking for in a partner.
On a recent episode of her podcast Nikki & Brie Show, alongside her twin sister Brie Bella, Nikki laid down her new dating rule: charm over extreme looks. The two-time WWE Diva of the Year revealed she’s after someone “kind of cute” rather than “super, extremely hot.”
“I’d date any type of charming, kind of guy,” Nikki said. “But honestly, even when you’re kind of cute, when you’re funny and charming, you come off as super cute.”
The 41-year-old star explained that her past experiences have shaped this preference. She finds that “extremely hot guys” sometimes come across as “narcissists,” so she’s no longer prioritizing physical appearance above all else. Instead, she’s leaning toward personality traits that make a connection feel genuine.
This shift comes after a tumultuous chapter in her personal life. Nikki and Artem Chigvintsev first met as dance partners on Dancing with the Stars in 2017. Their friendship blossomed into a romance after her split from John Cena in 2018, and their relationship was documented on the reality series Total Bellas. They got engaged in 2019, welcomed a son in 2020, and tied the knot in France in 2022.
But the fairy tale took a dark turn in August 2024, when Chigvintsev was arrested on domestic violence charges. Those charges were later dropped, but Nikki filed for divorce immediately. A settlement was reached in 2025, and the former couple now shares custody of their son.
Now, with her divorce behind her, Nikki is ready to think about dating again—but on her own terms. Her focus on charm and humor over conventional hotness is a refreshing take in the world of celebrity dating, where looks often dominate headlines.
For fans following the drama, this isn’t the only headline-making relationship news in sports and entertainment. From Patriots star Will Campbell dating a quarterback’s sister to Wheel of Fortune royalty Maggie Sajak’s romance with a Savannah Bananas star, the dating game is full of surprises. Even Irina Shayk’s viral swimsuit snap has sparked Tom Brady rumors.
As for Nikki, she’s keeping her options open. “I’d date any type of charming, kind of guy,” she reiterated. Whether that leads to a new romance remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Nikki Bella is setting her own rules now.
