Nikki Garcia'S Lip-Lock Controversy: A Mother'S Love Or Social Media Overreaction?

Nikki Garcia Faces the Critics

Nikki Garcia, the former wrestling star and reality TV icon, recently found herself in the spotlight for a very different kind of action. A seemingly innocent photo of her kissing her 5-year-old son, Matteo, on the lips during a trip to Legoland California sparked a social media frenzy. Comments poured in, and not all were kind. "There were quite a few reasons why I turned my comments off on that post," Nikki shared candidly on her SiriusXM show, The Nikki & Brie Show. "I can't believe you're so bothered by it and annoyed. That's crazy to me."

“It’s weird when people put opinions on your kids, and then you’re like, ‘See, this is why I don’t post him because I love my kid to death and do you think I want to read this stuff about him?’” Nikki expressed.

A Mother’s Perspective

During their memorable visit to Legoland, Nikki captured a heartwarming moment with her son, which she shared on Instagram. Little did she know, it would stir such a debate. "Matteo’s most favorite place ever!" she posted, highlighting her son's joy. However, the backlash over the affectionate gesture caught her off guard. Explaining the context, Nikki said, "He got so excited, so the lady was just taking photos. Matteo grabbed me and gave me that big kiss."

Nikki's sister, Brie Garcia, chimed in with support, emphasizing cultural differences in expressions of affection. "We’re all raised differently," Brie noted, attributing their affectionate nature to their Mexican Italian roots.

Defending Family Bonds

Nikki is no stranger to the spotlight, but this incident highlights the challenges celebrity parents face. She shares Matteo with ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev and is cautious about exposing him to public scrutiny. "The kissing thing was so annoying to me," she said, defending her choice to express love openly with her son.

In a final plea, Nikki asked critics to refrain from unsolicited parenting advice. "Stop telling me to get my son a haircut," she asserted, defending Matteo's choice to keep his long hair. The outspoken mom continues to stand firm on her parenting choices, despite the noise from social media critics.