He's back! Just three weeks after welcoming his first child, a son, with fiancée Nikki Bella, fan favorite pro dancer Artem Chigvintsev is preparing to return to "Dancing With the Stars" for season 29. The new dad announced the news on Instagram and on "Good Morning America" on Aug. 24.
"Finally, the news is out! it was so hard to keep a secret," Artem said in an Instagram video. "This year has been absolutely incredible for me for a lot of various reasons. One of them is getting engaged and I have a newborn baby [who] I adore and love so much. And of course the cherry on the cake is getting 'Dancing With the Stars.' I can't wait to get into that ballroom and just teach, perform… that's what I do and that's what I love." He thanked fans for their support, adding, "I just want to make you proud."
"GMA" also shared the exciting news and spoke to Artem, who reiterated that he "can't wait to get back" — after eight seasons on the ABC competition show, he sat out last season — and said that he wants "to dedicate this season to my little boy."
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Though the Russia native and wrestling-turned-reality TV star Nikki have not yet publicly revealed their son's name, Artem did share some sweet new details about his baby boy and mama Nikki.
"It has been the most incredible feeling and Nicole and I are just obsessed," Artem told "GMA" of his feelings on fatherhood. "I just didn't know that I could have so much love to give. He literally owns us." Like most new parents, Artem hasn't been getting much sleep following his son's July 31 birth. "What's sleep? Do people really sleep?" Artem quipped, explaining that "It's been kind of challenging because he's been waking up every hour and a half, and I really feel bad for Nicole because he's a really good eater [and she's breastfeeding]. He's been on it."
He's also been putting his professional skills to good use as a new dad and dancing around to sooth his son. "Especially when he has those moments of crying, I grab him in my hands, do a foxtrot around the room, and he's just sound asleep afterwards," Artem said.
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The new father also told "GMA" he's been working hard to make sure he's physically prepared for the new season. "I've been working out every single day trying to get back into my dancing shape," he said. "It has been challenging for the past couple weeks especially because of the schedule with the baby, but I promise by Sept 14, I'll be top notch."
The ABC competition show returns to TV on Monday, Sept. 14.