WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella passed on auditioning for Fox’s Baywatch reboot, citing discomfort with constant swimsuit wear.
Reasons for Skipping the Audition
The 42-year-old wrestler discussed her decision on her podcast, The Nikki and Brie Show. She opted out of the 12-episode series planned for the 2026-27 season.
“I ended up not doing it because I knew that I would not be comfortable,” Bella explained. “I would not be comfortable wearing a red swimsuit 24/7 because I am not confident yet in a swimsuit. So, I didn’t do it.”
Embracing Body Confidence in the Ring
Bella feels most confident in her signature wrestling gear during matches. A recent comment about her physique failed to faze her.
“Someone made a comment about me last week, like, she didn’t even say thick in a good way, like, ‘She got bigger’ or something,” she recalled. “The comment didn’t even affect me because I felt so damn good.”
“This is me. This is my beauty,” Bella stated. “And we just really all have to stop saying such bad things about ourselves because God made us exactly how we’re supposed to be.”
Baywatch Reboot Details
The cast includes Brooks Nader, Stephen Amell, Hassie Harrison, Jessica Belkin, Thaddeus LaGrone, Noah Beck, Shay Mitchell, and Livvy Dunne. Original stars Erika Eleniak and David Chokachi reprise their roles.
McG directed the premiere episode, with Matt Nix serving as showrunner.
The original series, led by David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson, ended after one NBC season in 1990 but ran 11 more in syndication, becoming the world’s most-watched TV show.
Injury Recovery and WWE Plans
Bella underwent surgery for a fractured ankle after a March 27 SmackDown match against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. Plates and a screw were inserted in her foot.
She shares physical therapy updates from the gym on Instagram. The injury kept her out of WrestleMania 42 night one on April 18 in Las Vegas, where Paige partnered with twin sister Brie Bella Danielson to claim the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Recovery could take six to eight weeks, targeting Night of Champions 2026 on June 27 at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena. “Fingers crossed that still goes,” Bella said, adding fans should attend.
Post-ring ambitions include a Raw general manager role after pursuing titles like Livvy Dunne’s Women’s World Championship.
Family and Past Relationships
Bella co-parents five-year-old son Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev with ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev, divorced in 2024 after two years amid mutual restraining orders.
Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley declined domestic violence charges due to insufficient evidence. Chigvintsev alleged Bella was the aggressor and reported over $100,000 in lost income.
Chigvintsev was previously married to Giselle Peacock. Bella annulled her marriage to Todd Tasco and was engaged to John Cena in 2017 while partnering with Chigvintsev on season 25 of Dancing with the Stars.
