Gleb Savchenko’s GF Dragged Into Explosive Custody War
Dancing With the Stars’ Gleb Savchenko Caught in International Custody Battle Over Teen Daughter
The Big Picture: What’s Happening?
Imagine two parents who used to be married but now live in different countries. They’re fighting over where their teenage daughter should live. That’s exactly what’s happening with "Dancing With the Stars" professional dancer Gleb Savchenko and his ex-wife Elena Samodanova.
Important Point: This isn’t just a regular custody disagreement—it’s turned into an international legal battle involving something called the Hague Convention (more on that later!).
Who Are the Main People?
| Person | Role | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gleb Savchenko | Father | Professional dancer on "Dancing With the Stars" |
| Elena Samodanova | Mother | Gleb’s ex-wife, currently lives in Hong Kong |
| Olivia | Daughter | Nearly 16 years old (turns 16 in November) |
| Zlata | Younger Daughter | Olivia’s sister, not the focus of this dispute |
| Trujillo | Gleb’s Girlfriend | Her home is where Olivia is currently staying |
The Timeline: How We Got Here
- November 2020 – Gleb and Elena separate after 14 years of marriage
- October 2021 – Their divorce is finalized
- After divorce – Elena moves to Hong Kong with both daughters
- January 2024 – Gleb starts dating Trujillo (they’re photographed kissing)
- July 2024 – Gleb files emergency court papers in Los Angeles asking for custody of Olivia
- Recent weeks – Elena discovers Olivia is living in a home connected to Trujillo
- Current – Hague Convention proceedings begin, LA case is paused
Mom’s Concerns: Why Elena Is Worried
Elena Samodanova has raised several red flags:
Living Situation Concerns
- Olivia is staying in a property owned by Trujillo (Gleb’s girlfriend)
- Not in a home owned or rented by Gleb himself
- Gleb only revealed this address after a court ordered him to
Concerns About Trujillo’s Career
- Elena learned Trujillo works in the adult entertainment industry
- Elena says: "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."
The Canceled Flight
- Elena claims they agreed Olivia would return to Hong Kong
- She says Gleb unexpectedly canceled Olivia’s flight back to Hong Kong
- Elena wants Olivia returned to her established life in Hong Kong
Important Point: Elena has filed Hague Convention proceedings claiming Olivia was "wrongfully retained" in the United States. This is a serious international legal claim!
Dad’s Defense: What Gleb Says
Gleb Savchenko is pushing back hard:
Safety First
- "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."
Olivia’s Voice Matters
- Olivia is nearly 16 – old enough to have a say
- Gleb says Olivia has "expressed her own wishes regarding where she wants to live"
- He wants the court to listen to what Olivia wants
Legal Process, Not Public Drama
- "I intend to address those matters through the appropriate legal channels rather than litigating our family situation publicly."
- He’s disappointed his girlfriend’s personal life got dragged into this
- "I will not respond by attacking Olivia’s mother or anyone else publicly."
The Legal Twist: What Is the Hague Convention?
This is where it gets complicated but important!
What Is It?
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980) is an international treaty that helps return children who have been taken across borders without permission.
What It Does (And Doesn’t Do)
| DOES | DOES NOT |
|---|---|
| Decides which country should handle the custody case | Decide which parent gets custody |
| Address "wrongful retention" across borders | Determine the merits of the custody dispute |
| Return children to their habitual residence | Make final parenting decisions |
What Happened in Court
- A California judge PAUSED (stayed) the LA custody case
- Did NOT order Olivia’s immediate return to Hong Kong
- The Hague Convention process now moves forward first
- The LA case might resume later after the international issue is resolved
Important Point: This is a procedural win for Gleb (case paused, no immediate return ordered), but NOT a final custody decision!
The Competing Stories: He Said, She Said
Gleb’s Version
- Claims they agreed Elena and daughters would move to Hong Kong temporarily
- Says they were supposed to return in 2024
- Filed for temporary sole custody in LA in July
- Wants to enroll Olivia in an LA high school
Elena’s Version
- Says Hong Kong became the children’s "established home"
- Disputes any agreement to return in 2024
- Claims Gleb canceled Olivia’s return flight
- Wants primary custody and Olivia back in Hong Kong
The Reality
- Neither parent’s claims have been proven in court yet
- No final custody determination has been made
- Both sides are waiting for legal processes to play out
Family Background: The Bigger Picture
The Family
- Married 14 years (ended November 2020)
- Two daughters together: Olivia (~16) and Zlata (younger)
- Divorce finalized October 2021
Current Living Situations
| Parent | Location | Household |
|---|---|---|
| Elena Samodanova | Hong Kong | With partner Vlad Kvartin and their new baby + Zlata |
| Gleb Savchenko | Los Angeles | With girlfriend Trujillo (Olivia staying in Trujillo’s home) |
What Happens Next? The Road Ahead
- Hague Convention proceedings continue – International court decides if Olivia was "wrongfully retained"
- LA custody case stays PAUSED – Until Hague process finishes
- Olivia stays in the US for now – In Trujillo’s home with Gleb
- Eventually – Either:
- Hague court orders return to Hong Kong → LA case might resume there
- Hague court says US is proper jurisdiction → LA case resumes in California
- Final custody decision – Still far in the future
Summary: The Key Takeaways
Important Point: This is a complex international family law case with no winners yet – just a lot of legal maneuvering.
- Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova are fighting over their nearly-16-year-old daughter Olivia
- Olivia is currently in Los Angeles, staying in a home owned by Gleb’s girlfriend Trujillo
- Elena (in Hong Kong) is worried about the living situation and Trujillo’s career
- Gleb says Olivia is safe, happy, and should get to choose where she lives
- A California judge PAUSED the local custody case because Elena filed Hague Convention proceedings
- The Hague Convention will decide which country handles the custody case – not who gets custody
- Both parents have different stories about what was agreed upon
- No final decisions have been made – this could take months or longer
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What is the Hague Convention in simple terms?
Think of it like an international agreement between countries that says: "If a parent takes a child to another country without permission, we have a system to figure out which country should decide custody." It’s about jurisdiction (which court decides), not the final custody decision.
Does Olivia get to choose where she lives?
In California, at age 14+, a child’s preference is one factor courts consider – but not the only factor. The judge looks at the whole picture: safety, stability, each parent’s home, etc. Olivia’s wishes matter but aren’t automatically decisive.
Why does it matter that Olivia is in Trujillo’s home, not Gleb’s?
Courts look at stability and primary caregiving. If the child is living in a girlfriend’s home rather than the parent’s own established residence, it raises questions about: permanence, the parent’s direct involvement, and whether it’s a stable long-term arrangement.
Can Elena just go get Olivia from the US?
No! That could be parental kidnapping. Once legal proceedings start, both parents must follow court orders. The Hague Convention process exists precisely to prevent parents from taking matters into their own hands across borders.
How long will this take?
International family law cases can take 6 months to several years. The Hague proceeding comes first. Then, whichever country "wins" jurisdiction handles the actual custody trial. Olivia turns 18 in about 2 years – at that point, she can legally decide for herself.
This article is based on public court filings and statements reported by The Blast and Us Weekly. No final legal determinations have been made in this case.