Former WWE superstar and Hall of Famer Nikki Bella has publicly addressed ongoing rumors suggesting she exclusively dates much younger men, putting those speculations to rest during a recent candid conversation on a popular wrestling podcast. Since her high-profile split from dancer Artem Chigvintsev last year, Nikki’s personal life has been under intense scrutiny by fans and media alike, fueling viral rumors that she’s only interested in men in their twenties. However, Bella firmly denied such claims, emphasizing that age simply isn’t a deciding factor in her dating life[4][1].
On the “What Do You Wanna Talk About With Cody Rhodes” podcast, Nikki Bella spoke openly about her experiences dating post-divorce and shattered the myth that she limits herself to dating younger men. She stressed her openness to connecting with individuals across a broad age range—from their twenties to their thirties and beyond—rejecting age-based stereotypes. Nikki underscored that compatibility and connection matter more than numbers on a birth certificate[4].
This clarification came in response to a recent social media rumor alleging that Nikki had slid into the direct messages of a 25-year-old WWE Superstar for a date. The story, which quickly gained traction across wrestling communities online, portrayed Nikki engaging in a flirtatious exchange with a significantly younger athlete. Nikki promptly responded on Instagram with a brief but emphatic denial: “Definitely not true. lol,” shutting down the speculation immediately[1][3].
Nikki’s candidness about her personal life reflects a desire to control her narrative amid persistent public curiosity. Following her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev—who was arrested on domestic violence charges in August 2024 before the charges were later dropped—Nikki and Artem reached a co-parenting agreement for their son, Matteo. While Nikki has acknowledged re-entering the dating scene, she has refrained from confirming any serious relationships publicly, focusing instead on her role as a mother[1][2].
In the podcast conversation with Cody Rhodes, Nikki also revealed that she recently joined the celebrity dating app Raya. Despite this, she clarified that she isn’t currently looking for anything serious and prefers to keep her dating life casual for the time being. Nikki expressed that her priorities remain firmly with her son, Matteo, and that she doesn’t want to introduce anyone new into his life anytime soon[2].
Moreover, Nikki shared insights into her ideal partner for when she is ready to pursue a relationship again. She described looking for a businessman who has style and a “cool vibe,” implying she values personality and charisma over traditional business success alone[2]. Her comments dismantle the notion that she exclusively dates much younger men, instead portraying a mature, thoughtful approach to relationships informed by her experiences and current life priorities.
Throughout her career, Nikki Bella has been candid about her high-profile past relationships, including her famed engagement to wrestler and actor John Cena, which was prominently featured on WWE programming around WrestleMania 33. Despite their breakup over a year later, the pair remain popular figures in wrestling entertainment history[1]. Nikki’s willingness to speak openly about her past and present relationships continues to endear her to fans, who appreciate her transparency and grounded perspective.
According to sources close to Nikki Bella, this latest round of rumors caught her off guard but also motivated her to clarify her stance directly to fans and followers. A WWE insider noted, “Nikki is focused on her son and career right now, and she’s not interested in fueling baseless gossip. She wants the public to know she approaches dating with an open mind and that these age rumors are simply false.” Such statements affirm her commitment to maintaining control over how her story is told and preserving her privacy while engaging honestly with her fanbase.
As Nikki Bella balances motherhood, media appearances, and occasional WWE involvement, her personal life will likely continue to attract attention. However, her recent statements underline a commitment to authenticity and rejecting reductive characterizations. Nikki’s transparent approach on podcasts and social media shows a mature mindset regarding relationships, emphasizing connection beyond age or rumor mill narratives.
In summary, Nikii Bella has decisively refuted the viral rumor that she exclusively dates younger men by asserting age is not a limiting factor for her romantic interests. Since her divorce and entry into the world of celebrity dating apps, Nikki prioritizes her son and remains cautious about public relationships, clarifying she is open to dating a range of ages but not actively seeking anything serious at present. Fans and observers can look forward to more candid insights from Nikki as she continues to navigate life post-divorce with confidence and clarity[4][1][2].