“Dancing With the Stars” pro Gleb Savchenko’s new relationship has become a flashpoint in his increasingly complicated custody battle with ex-wife Elena Samodanova. Samodanova raised concerns after learning that their teenage daughter, Olivia, was reportedly living in a property connected to Savchenko’s girlfriend, Trujillo. The professional dancer insists Olivia is safe and wants the court to consider the teenager’s wishes. Meanwhile, Samodanova is pursuing international proceedings to have her daughter returned to Hong Kong.
Samodanova claimed Savchenko only disclosed Olivia’s location after being ordered to provide the information. “My greatest concern remains Olivia’s safety and current living environment. Gleb disclosed Olivia’s location only after the Court ordered him to provide her address and contact information,” Samodanova told Us Weekly.
She added, “The address he provided confirmed that our teenage daughter is living in a property owned by his girlfriend, rather than in a permanent home maintained by him.” The outlet reported that it verified the address included in the court documents and found that it matched a residence linked to Trujillo.
Samodanova, who currently resides in Hong Kong, then addressed what she said she had learned about the homeowner’s career. “I subsequently learned that the homeowner works in the adult-entertainment industry. I do not judge her profession. My concern is Gleb’s judgment as a father and whether this is an appropriate and stable environment for our teenage daughter,” she continued.
Savchenko was first romantically linked to Trujillo in January, when they were photographed kissing following his split from Brooks Nader. Samodanova stressed that Olivia’s “safety, stability and future come first,” adding, “I will continue through every legal channel available to bring my daughter safely home.”
Gleb Savchenko Says Olivia Is Safe And Supported
Savchenko pushed back against his former wife’s concerns and argued that Olivia, who turns 16 in November, should have a say in where she lives. “My daughter’s safety, stability and well-being are my absolute priority. Olivia is safe, supported and surrounded by people who love and care for her. Most importantly, she is nearly 16 years old and has expressed her own wishes regarding where she wants to live,” he told Us Weekly.
The dancer said he intends to handle the dispute through the courts instead of continuing the public back-and-forth. “I respect that there are ongoing legal proceedings, and I intend to address those matters through the appropriate legal channels rather than litigating our family situation publicly,” Savchenko added.
He also expressed disappointment that his girlfriend and her personal life had been pulled into the custody disagreement. “I am disappointed to see unrelated personal matters and third parties brought into a deeply private situation involving our daughter. I will not respond by attacking Olivia’s mother or anyone else publicly,” Savchenko said. “My focus remains on supporting Olivia, protecting her well-being, and ensuring that her own voice and wishes are heard through the appropriate legal process.”
Judge Pauses The Los Angeles Custody Case
Savchenko secured a temporary procedural win when a judge stayed the Los Angeles custody case and declined to order Olivia’s immediate return to Hong Kong. The decision was not a final custody ruling. Instead, the California proceedings were paused because Samodanova filed an application under the Hague Convention alleging that Olivia was wrongfully retained in the United States.
“This is no longer simply a custody dispute,” Samodanova said following the hearing. “My daughter’s wrongful retention is now the subject of active Hague Convention proceedings, and the Los Angeles custody case has been stayed while that process moves forward.”
According to the Hague Conference on Private International Law, a ruling under the 1980 Child Abduction Convention concerning a child’s return does not determine the merits of the underlying custody dispute. That means the international proceeding will address the return and jurisdiction questions surrounding Olivia. It will not decide which parent should ultimately receive custody.
Both Parents Have Made Competing Allegations
Savchenko filed an emergency request in Los Angeles in July seeking temporary sole legal and physical custody of Olivia and permission to enroll her in a Los Angeles-area high school, according to Us Weekly. The dancer reportedly claimed the former couple had agreed that Samodanova and their daughters would move to Hong Kong temporarily, then return in 2024. Samodanova disputes his account and maintains that Hong Kong became the children’s established home.
She subsequently requested primary custody and alleged that Savchenko unexpectedly canceled Olivia’s flight back to Hong Kong. Savchenko, however, maintains that Olivia wants to remain in Los Angeles. Samodanova continues to argue that her daughter should return to the life she had been living overseas.
Neither parent’s allegations have resulted in a final custody determination.
Gleb Savchenko And Elena Samodanova Share Two Daughters
Savchenko and Samodanova share Olivia and their younger daughter, Zlata. The former couple ended their relationship in November 2020 after 14 years of marriage. They finalized their divorce in October 2021. Samodanova later moved to Hong Kong with the children and has since welcomed another child with her partner, Vlad Kvartin.
For now, Olivia will remain in the United States while the Hague Convention proceeding moves forward. The stayed Los Angeles case could resume after the international dispute is addressed, leaving the former couple’s larger custody battle unresolved.
