Nikki Bella, whose real name is Stephanie Nicole Garcia Colace and who now goes by Nikki Garcia, is an American professional wrestler, television personality, and entrepreneur. She became widely known as one half of the famous WWE duo The Bella Twins alongside her twin sister, Brie Bella.
Over the years, Nikki played a major role in the rise of women’s wrestling in WWE during the 2010s, helping bring greater visibility and popularity to female performers in the industry.
Early Life and Background
Nikki Bella was born on 21 November 1983 in San Diego, California. Nikki spent most of her childhood growing up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she was raised together with her identical twin sister Brianna, who later became known to fans as Brie Bella. The sisters shared a very close bond from a young age and often pursued similar interests, which eventually carried over into their professional careers.
During her childhood and teenage years, Nikki was highly active in sports. She developed a strong interest in soccer and trained seriously with the goal of playing professionally.
For a time, it appeared that a career in competitive soccer might become her future. However, her plans changed after she suffered a leg injury that prevented her from continuing to pursue the sport at a professional level. This setback forced her to rethink her career direction while she was still young.
After stepping away from soccer, Nikki Bella explored other opportunities while trying to establish herself in the entertainment industry.
Like many aspiring performers at the time, she worked several different jobs to support herself. These included working as a waitress while also taking part in modeling assignments and promotional events. The experience helped her build confidence in front of audiences and cameras, skills that would later prove useful in her career in professional wrestling and television.
These early experiences laid the foundation for Nikki’s eventual transition into the world of sports entertainment, where she would go on to become one of the most recognizable female performers of her era. Her combination of athletic background, on screen presence, and determination helped her and her sister create a lasting impact in WWE and beyond.
Entry into WWE and The Bella Twins
Nikki Bella’s journey into professional wrestling began alongside her twin sister Brie when the pair decided to pursue opportunities with WWE. Their path to the company was not immediate, but their persistence and strong on screen presence eventually opened the door to a career that would make them two of the most recognizable figures in women’s wrestling.
In 2006, the twins participated in the WWE Raw Diva Search, a talent competition designed to discover new female performers for the company. Although Nikki and Brie were not selected as winners in the contest, WWE officials noticed their charisma, athletic potential, and natural chemistry as a duo. Their appearance left a strong enough impression that the company later offered both sisters developmental contracts.
In June 2007, Nikki and Brie officially signed with WWE and were sent to Florida Championship Wrestling, often called FCW. At the time, FCW served as WWE’s developmental territory where new talent could train, refine their wrestling skills, and develop characters before appearing on the main roster. It was during this period that the twins adopted the name The Bella Twins, a brand that would later become central to their identity in wrestling and entertainment.
While in FCW, Nikki and Brie spent time learning the fundamentals of professional wrestling and performing in front of smaller live audiences. They gradually gained experience inside the ring and began developing their characters. Early in their developmental run, they worked matches and storylines with other rising female wrestlers such as Natalya and Victoria Crawford. These early rivalries helped the twins gain confidence and establish themselves as regular performers within the developmental system.
Their time in FCW allowed them to refine their teamwork and presentation as a twin tag act. WWE trainers focused on building their in ring awareness while also emphasizing the entertainment aspect of sports entertainment. Nikki in particular began developing the stronger, more aggressive personality that would later define her on screen character.
The Bella Twins made their main roster debut on the SmackDown brand in November 2008. Their introduction quickly caught the attention of fans due to a unique tactic that became known as Twin Magic. During matches, one sister would secretly switch places with the other while the referee was distracted, allowing the fresher twin to continue the match without the opponent realizing the change. This clever strategy became their signature move and a defining part of their early character presentation.
At the time of their debut, WWE’s women’s division was still referred to as the Divas division, and Nikki and Brie quickly became regular participants in that roster. Their twin dynamic gave them a distinct identity compared with other competitors, helping them stand out in storylines and matches.
The combination of their look, personality, and coordinated teamwork helped the Bella Twins become familiar faces on WWE television within a short time. Their early years on the main roster laid the foundation for what would eventually become a much larger role in WWE’s women’s wrestling landscape during the following decade.
Later WWE career, injuries, and return
As Nikki Garcia’s career progressed, the physical demands of professional wrestling began to take a toll on her body. After years of performing on a full time schedule with WWE, she developed serious neck issues that would significantly affect the later stages of her in ring career. These health problems became especially noticeable toward the end of 2015, when injuries forced her to take extended time away from competition.
Doctors eventually determined that Nikki required neck surgery, a serious procedure that placed her wrestling future in doubt. The recovery period kept her out of action for several months and limited her appearances on WWE programming. At the time, many fans were unsure whether she would be able to return to the ring at the same level.
Despite the uncertainty, Nikki made a comeback in 2016 as part of the SmackDown brand following WWE’s roster split. Her return was treated as a major moment, as she had been absent during an important transitional period for the women’s division. Soon after returning, she became involved in a high profile feud with Carmella. The rivalry featured several confrontations on television and helped reintroduce Nikki as a key figure on the SmackDown women’s roster.
Later that year, Nikki Bella was selected as the captain of Team SmackDown for the women’s elimination match at Survivor Series. Within the storyline, Nikki’s leadership role highlighted her status as one of the division’s most established performers. However, in a dramatic backstage segment before the match, she was attacked and removed from the team. The angle served as a way to write her out of the match while advancing other storylines.
Following this period, Nikki became involved in additional rivalries that continued to keep her in prominent storylines. One of her most notable feuds was with Natalya, which included personal accusations and confrontations that played out over several weeks of television. She also became part of a storyline involving Maryse and The Miz.
These developments led to one of the most talked about matches of Nikki’s later career. At WrestleMania 33 in 2017, she teamed with John Cena in a mixed tag match against The Miz and Maryse. The match combined athletic competition with storyline drama and received significant attention from fans and media.
After Nikki Bella and Cena won the match, Cena proposed to her in the ring in front of the live audience. The moment became one of the most widely discussed segments of the event and was later replayed across various WWE and entertainment platforms. Although their relationship eventually ended in later years, the proposal remains one of the most memorable moments associated with Nikki’s WWE career.
Health concerns continued to affect Nikki in the years that followed. In June 2019, she announced that her in ring career had effectively come to an end after doctors discovered a cyst on her brain. Medical specialists advised that continuing to wrestle could pose serious risks to her health. As a result, she confirmed that she would step away from active competition.
Even after her retirement announcement, Nikki’s influence on WWE remained widely recognized. In 2020, Nikki and her sister Brie were selected for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020. The honor acknowledged their impact on WWE programming and their role in increasing visibility for women in professional wrestling during the 2010s.
Although her in ring career had largely concluded, Nikki made a brief return during the women’s Royal Rumble match in 2022. Entering the match at number twenty four, she managed to eliminate Alicia Fox and Sarah Logan before eventually being eliminated by her sister Brie. The appearance served as a nostalgic moment for fans and stands as one of her final WWE matches of that era.
Beyond wrestling, television, and business
Outside the wrestling ring, Nikki Bella developed a significant presence in mainstream entertainment. One of the key platforms that expanded her popularity was the reality television series Total Divas. The show followed the personal and professional lives of several WWE female performers and introduced Nikki and Brie to a wider audience beyond wrestling fans.
Her popularity on the program led to the creation of a spin off series titled Total Bellas. The show focused primarily on Nikki and Brie while documenting their family life, careers, and personal relationships. Cameras often followed Nikki through important moments in her life, including her wrestling career, business ventures, and major personal decisions.
Television exposure helped Nikki build a strong personal brand that extended beyond WWE. Alongside her sister, she launched several business ventures that used the recognizable Bella name. One of their most visible projects was the Birdiebee apparel brand, a clothing line that focuses on comfort focused and lifestyle inspired fashion.
The sisters also entered the wine industry with their Belle Radici wine label. The brand reflected their interest in business and their desire to build long term ventures outside of professional wrestling. Through these projects, Nikki and Brie demonstrated how their popularity in sports entertainment could translate into entrepreneurial opportunities.
Throughout her career, Nikki cultivated an on screen personality often described as fearless. The phrase became closely associated with her public image and even appeared on merchandise and apparel connected to her brand. Her presentation combined athletic toughness with glamour and confidence, which helped her stand out in both wrestling and entertainment media.
Over time, her supporters formed a loyal fan community often referred to as the Bella Army. This fan base played a significant role in sustaining her popularity during and after her wrestling career. Through wrestling, television, and business ventures, Nikki Garcia built a reputation as both a performer and an entrepreneur who successfully expanded her influence beyond the ring.
Nikki Bella Personal life
Nikki Garcia’s personal life has often drawn significant public attention, especially during the peak of her WWE and reality television fame. Much of her private life became widely known through her appearances on the reality shows Total Divas and Total Bellas, where viewers were given a closer look at her relationships, family dynamics, and life outside the wrestling ring.
One of the most widely discussed relationships in Nikki’s life was with fellow WWE star John Cena. Their relationship began during their time working together in WWE and quickly became one of the most visible couples in professional wrestling. The relationship was frequently featured on reality television, where audiences saw both the positive moments and the challenges they faced as a couple.
A defining moment in their relationship occurred at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. After Nikki and Cena teamed together to defeat The Miz and Maryse in a mixed tag match, Cena proposed to her in the ring in front of the live audience. The proposal became one of the most talked about moments in WWE programming and quickly spread across mainstream media and social platforms.
The engagement also became a central storyline in Total Bellas, where viewers followed the couple as they planned their future together. However, the relationship eventually came to an end. Nikki and Cena publicly announced their separation in 2018. Their breakup received widespread media attention and became a major pop culture topic at the time.
Marriage and Children
After this chapter of her life, Nikki’s personal story entered a new phase when she began a relationship with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev. The two first met when Nikki competed on the television show Dancing with the Stars. Although they initially met as dance partners during the competition, their relationship developed later.
Nikki and Artem eventually confirmed their relationship publicly, and their life together soon became another part of her public narrative through television and social media. In 2020, the couple welcomed their son, marking an important milestone in Nikki’s personal life. They later married, further solidifying their partnership.
Through these personal experiences, Nikki Garcia has remained a highly visible public figure whose life outside wrestling continues to attract attention from fans and media. Her relationships, family life, and personal milestones have all contributed to the broader story that surrounds her career in entertainment and sports.
Nikki Bella Business
Birdiebee is a women’s lifestyle and apparel brand created by Nikki Garcia and Brie Garcia, known as The Bella Twins. The brand was developed to reflect their message of empowerment, confidence, and community, especially for their loyal fanbase known as the Bella Army. Birdiebee focuses on comfortable casual fashion that encourages women to express themselves while feeling confident in their everyday style.
The brand identity combines soft fabrics with motivational messaging. Slogans such as Bee Fearless and Bee You appear on many pieces and represent the brand’s focus on self love and personal strength. Inclusivity is also a key value. Birdiebee promotes diverse body representation and aims to offer clothing that works for a wide range of body types.
The product range includes intimates, loungewear, casual tops, and athleisure inspired pieces. Popular items include bralettes, underwear, joggers, hoodies, sweatshirts, graphic tees, and leggings. These products are designed to move easily between home, casual outings, and light activity while maintaining comfort and style.
Birdiebee began primarily as an online brand but later expanded into select retail locations such as Buckle stores in the United States. The company has also updated its branding with a new double B logo and a focus on elevated everyday essentials. Overall, Birdiebee reflects the Bella Twins’ transition from wrestling stars to entrepreneurs in the lifestyle and fashion space.
Major Fueds
Nikki and Brie Bella were involved in several major WWE feuds during their careers, both as a team and as singles competitors.
One of their most famous storylines occurred in 2014, when the twin sisters feuded. The conflict began during Brie Bella’s rivalry with Stephanie McMahon.
At SummerSlam 2014, Nikki shocked fans by turning heel and helping Stephanie defeat Brie, aligning herself with The Authority. The storyline included controversial segments and intense promos, culminating in a match at Hell in a Cell where Nikki defeated Brie, forcing her to act as Nikki’s personal assistant for 30 days.
Earlier in their careers, The Bella Twins feuded with Eve Torres in 2011. After attacking Eve backstage, they challenged her for the Divas Championship. Nikki initially failed to win the title, but Brie later defeated Eve to capture the championship, marking one of the twins’ earliest major singles accomplishments.
In 2013, the Bellas were involved in a storyline connected to the reality show Total Divas. They clashed with Natalya and later became part of a larger rivalry with Divas Champion AJ Lee after AJ criticized the show and its cast in a memorable promo.
Nikki later had several important singles rivalries. These included feuds with AJ Lee, Paige, Naomi, Carmella, and Natalya. Another major storyline involved Nikki teaming with John Cena to face The Miz and Maryse at WrestleMania 33, ending with Cena’s in ring proposal.
Controversies
Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, has faced several controversies during and after her wrestling career. These issues have mostly involved past public comments, criticism of WWE, and intense scrutiny around her personal relationships.
One controversy resurfaced in 2021 from a 2013 appearance on the television show Fashion Police. During the segment, Nikki made a remark about former wrestler Chyna, questioning whether Chyna was “a man or a woman.” When the clip circulated again online years later, many fans criticized the comment as disrespectful. Nikki responded with a public apology on social media. She described the remark as thoughtless, said she felt embarrassed by her younger self, and apologized to Chyna’s family and fans.
Nikki also sparked debate in 2023 during WWE Raw’s thirtieth anniversary celebrations. While speaking on Instagram Live with her sister Brie, she criticized WWE for not giving enough attention to the Women’s Evolution during the show. She specifically mentioned that the Bayley versus Becky Lynch steel cage match was cut short and said the anniversary content did not highlight female stars such as Sasha Banks enough. The comments received mixed reactions. Some fans agreed with her criticism of the company’s handling of women’s wrestling, while others viewed it as unnecessary public criticism.
Another discussion emerged in early 2026 when Nikki commented in an interview that she believed WWE’s women’s division was currently stronger than the men’s division. She also said the company needed to develop new male stars after several major retirements. Some media outlets framed her remarks as criticizing the men’s roster. Nikki later clarified that her point was to highlight the strength of the women’s division and the normal cycle of building new stars in wrestling.
Her personal life has also been widely discussed in public. Nikki’s long relationship with WWE star John Cena was heavily featured on reality television and WWE programming. After their engagement at WrestleMania 33, the couple eventually separated in 2018. Nikki later explained that disagreements about marriage and having children played a major role in the breakup. The situation drew strong reactions from fans, and she later spoke about receiving negative chants and online harassment related to the split.
In 2025, Nikki was again in the news when reports stated that she had obtained a restraining order against her husband, dancer Artem Chigvintsev. According to court filings cited in media reports, the order required him to stay a certain distance from her and their child except for arranged visitation. The case involved allegations connected to a dispute between the two and remains a sensitive legal matter. As legal proceedings continue, details about the situation may still change.