Kaitlyn Bristowe Reveals Why She Wanted to Go Head-to-Head With Artem Chigvintsev on DWTS

Kaitlyn Bristowe just gave one of those frank, behind-the-scenes updates that actually tells you something: on her podcast, she admitted she spent a lot of time pushing back on her Dancing With the Stars pro Artem Chigvintsev before figuring out the obvious move — let the pro lead.

Learning to shut up and dance

On Thursday, April 9, the 40-year-old Bachelorette alum talked through her DWTS experience on her 'Off the Vine' podcast with retired pro Cheryl Burke. Her big takeaway for anyone stepping into the ballroom? Stop fighting the choreography notes and listen.

"It is so much better when you shut up and listen."

She admitted she initially wanted to debate Artem on a lot of choices, but had to remind herself that his only goal was to pull the best out of both of them — and that she would get way more out of the process by, well, not back-talking her partner. As she put it to Burke, the pros have done this for so many seasons that, yes, they actually know what they are doing.

Season 29: the win, the wear-and-tear

Bristowe and Chigvintsev were paired in 2020 for season 29 and ended up winning the mirrorball. The grind was real, though — she has said she still gets flare-ups from those DWTS injuries even five years later.

Post-win distance with Artem

Despite the confetti finish, they did not stay especially close. By October 2022, Bristowe told Us Weekly she felt their partnership was very business-like and that they had not really kept in touch after the show. Her read was pretty practical: he is busy, he dances every day, and he has his little boy at home.

For context: Artem, now 43, shares his 5-year-old son Matteo with his ex-wife Nikki Garcia. He left DWTS after season 32.

Still a DWTS diehard

Bristowe has stayed locked in as a fan. She has watched with her mom since the very first season and, knowing how brutal the rehearsals are on both your body and your head, she loves supporting the show. She even said she misses it so much she gets overwhelmed watching — the happy-cry kind of overwhelmed. The biggest thing she says she learned about herself from the experience: resilience. In her words, doing DWTS proved her body could handle some wild stuff, and it made her feel like if she could do that, she could handle just about anything, including having a baby.

Back in the ballroom with Andy Richter

She did head back to the floor in season 34 for a special routine with contestant Andy Richter. In a November 2025 chat with Extra, she called him the heart of the show that season, joked she is a full-on fan of Andy, and dubbed their pairing 'Kandy.' Richter, 59, and partner Emma Slater were eliminated during the '20th Birthday Party' episode — after his guest dance with Bristowe.

• 2020: Bristowe and Chigvintsev win DWTS season 29.
• Post-show: She later says the partnership felt strictly business; they do not stay in touch much.
• Artem update: Shares 5-year-old son Matteo with ex-wife Nikki Garcia; exits DWTS after season 32.
• Ongoing fandom: Bristowe keeps watching with her mom, praises the pros’ work and the toll it takes.
• Season 34 (2025): Bristowe returns for a Viennese waltz with Andy Richter; he and Emma Slater go home on the '20th Birthday Party' episode.
• Now: On her April 9 podcast, she says the smart move with a pro is to listen — and wishes she had done even more of that.