Artem Chigvintsev, 38, proved that his son Matteo is definitely his mini-me in an adorable Thanksgiving photo that he shared with his Instagram followers on Nov. 26. Days after he waltzed away with the Dancing With the Stars mirrorball trophy, he was back at home posing with the 3-month-old baby boy that he shares with fiancée Nikki Bella, 37.
Father and son both looked dapper as they celebrated the little one’s first ever holiday season. In one hand Artem clutched the trophy. In the other he cradled Matteo who looked handsome wearing a onesie with suspenders and a fetching bowtie.
“Two of my biggest achievements #ididitforteo Happy Thanksgiving,” he captioned the photo, before tagging “mama bear” Nikki who took the pic. Over on her Instagram account, Nikki shared a series of holiday pictures showing her, Artem and Matteo celebrating the day with other family members. The crew included Nikki’s twin sister Brie Bella and her brood – husband Daniel Bryan, 39, their daughter Birdie, 3, and son Buddy, who is also 3-months-old.
“Beyond grateful for the priceless things in life,” she captioned the photos. “2020 has been unexpected to say the least. I couldn’t stop thanking God for the blessings he has given me this year. So thankful for the magical moments, my family, good friends and health. Sending so much love, light and prayers to the ones that didn’t have the holiday they imagined.”
It has been a challenging but rewarding year for the couple. Not only did Artem and Nikki welcome their son Matteo into the world, despite the coronavirus restrictions, the dance pro was crowned the Season 29 DWTS winner. He helped to guide Bachelor star Kaitlyn Bristowe so that they walked away champs on Nov. 24.
The win was a moment of vindication for Artem who didn’t compete during the previous season of the hit show. “Last year for me was a pivotal moment in my life where a [sic] had to face reality of not being part of DWTS and it crushed me to the point where a [sic] had to fight depression and struggle of finding something else that I would love as much,” he wrote in a lengthy Nov. 25 Instagram post about the achievement.
“At that point the only person who kept me going was my beautiful fiancé [sic] she believed in me when I fail [sic] she constantly kept my spirit up and supported me in every way possible and for that I’m forever grateful I truly don’t know where I would be if not for Nicole.”
Nikki was quick to respond to his caption. “Such a beautiful fairytale ending to the greatest underdog story,” she wrote, in part. “You made Teo and I so proud! We love you!”
