WWE superstar Nikki Garcia directly addresses and dismisses viral speculation linking her romantically to NFL player Cooper DeJean, citing a prolonged period without intimacy and reaffirming her focus on co-parenting and her career post-divorce.
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia has publicly and seemingly shut down burgeoning rumors of a romance with Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, a speculation that ignited after the two were seen together in a social media post. The 42-year-old wrestler addressed the topic head-on during the December 18 episode of The Nikki & Brie Show podcast she hosts with her twin sister, Brie Garcia.
The Viral Spark That Ignited Speculation
The rumor mill began churning on December 16 when Garcia shared an Instagram recap of her time in Philadelphia. The video montage, set to Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” featured a brief but notable clip of her smiling and posing in front of DeJean’s Eagles locker. Another moment captured the two smiling and dancing together. Garcia captioned the post, “So blessed for the people around me, new friends and old, who make life so special and fun.”
DeJean, the 22-year-old NFL standout who celebrated his 22nd birthday with a pick-6 and a Super Bowl win just months prior, added fuel to the fire by commenting with an eagle and a heart emoji on a separate post from her trip. This digital interaction was enough for fans and gossip outlets to begin connecting dots that Garcia insists were not there.
The Direct Denial: “I Haven’t Even Kissed Someone”
Garcia directly confronted the speculation during her podcast conversation with her sister. Her comments left little room for interpretation regarding her current romantic status.
“It’s crazy because I actually haven’t been touched or done anything in so long,” Garcia stated. “It’s funny when people call me a wh— when I actually haven’t had intimacy in a really long time, [or even thought] of kissing.”
She elaborated further, emphasizing the extent of her current single status. “I haven’t even kissed someone in so long. It’s, like, kind of crazy. I was thinking of this last night. Do I know how to kiss?” After reassurance from Brie that kissing is “like riding a bike,” Nikki joked, “I’m about to make out with my pillow to make sure I still got it.”
Navigating Life Post-Divorce
Garcia’s personal life has been under a microscope since her separation from ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev, a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars. The couple shares a 5-year-old son, Matteo.
Garcia filed for divorce in September 2024 following an incident where Chigvintsev was arrested at their home on suspicion of domestic violence. The divorce was finalized in May, with a settlement requiring Garcia to pay a $200,000 lump sum and $3,500 monthly in child support.
Despite the legal and personal challenges, Garcia has consistently praised Chigvintsev for his cooperation in their co-parenting arrangement, especially as she makes her return to the wrestling ring. “I have to give it to Artem, who’s been amazing in adapting to my schedule,” she noted on a September podcast episode. “And I get Matteo almost more, and he lets me. Like, he’s amazing.”
Cooper DeJean: From College Standout to Super Bowl Champion
For his part, Cooper DeJean has rapidly ascended to fame. The Iowa college standout was drafted by the Eagles and immediately made an impact, culminating in a Super Bowl victory on his 22nd birthday—a feat he shared with birthday twin and teammate Saquon Barkley.
Prior to the rumors with Garcia, DeJean was linked to college student Steph Wilfawn, who celebrated his NFL draft selection on her Instagram in April 2024. His on-field success and rising star profile make him a frequent subject of public interest, which now intersects with the world of sports entertainment.
Why This Rumors Story Resonates
The public’s fascination with this potential coupling highlights several enduring themes in celebrity culture:
- The Age Gap Narrative: A 20-year age difference between a high-profile woman and a younger male athlete naturally generates headlines and public discourse.
- Cross-Over Appeal: The story bridges the worlds of professional wrestling and the NFL, two arenas with massive, dedicated fanbases.
- The Post-Divorce Spotlight: Garcia’s status as a newly single mother and her navigation of dating life post-divorce is a storyline many of her fans are invested in.
Ultimately, Garcia’s candid shutdown on her podcast is a strategic reclamation of her narrative. By addressing the rumors directly with humor and blunt honesty, she controls the story, satisfies fan curiosity, and reinforces the boundaries between her public persona and private life.
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