Nikki Bella Opens Up About Her Failed Marriage; Says She Is Heartbroken & Sad

-- After finalizing her divorce from ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev, former WWE star Nikki Bella has laid low but returned to her podcast with sister Brie Bella earlier today. She made the following comment on her divorce, citing privacy concerns related to her son and sharing that she feels "heartbroken" and "sad" over her divorce.

"I needed to disconnect because first things first, I'm a mom and my son's protection and privacy is the most important. So, I was going to do whatever it took for that, most importantly, and then just needing space for healing, for facing trauma head on."

"It's been really tough. I've been heartbroken, sad. You know, you dream of having this family and you have this incredible love and it just goes the other way. And you go from having a great love story to having a terrible one. I never saw any of it coming as far as what the ending would be. It's been a struggle."

"I know being a public figure, I have to say a little bit about this. And after this, I don't want to ever talk about it again because I truly do want privacy for Matteo, that has been the most important part. But obviously, I've had a public relationship, I'm a public figure, so I have to talk about what's gone on a little bit."

-- She also talked about her relationship, suggesting that she played up her relationship in the eyes of the public despite it being rocky:

"I wanted (Chigvintsev) to be the best version of themselves, because also that's what my son deserves. I don't want to drag my son's dad because I want my son to have the greatest dad ever because that's what Matteo deserves."

"I really played it up like things were a lot better than what they were in the public eye, which I have regrets in that because what I felt was if I could just put this person on a pedestal and maybe if this person hears it enough what I believe in them, they can believe that in themselves."

"That, yes, and I didn't want to have another failed public relationship. And more than any of that, I wanted it for Matteo. It always comes back to him. You fight for your kids, you want to stick together because that's what the kids want. And I tried really hard."