A Stalled Legal Proceeding
Dancing With the Stars professional Gleb Savchenko has shared his perspective following a recent custody hearing regarding his 15-year-old daughter, Olivia. The court session, which was expected to address the ongoing conflict between Savchenko and his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, was ultimately postponed, leaving the situation in a state of limbo.
Speaking after his court appearance, the 42-year-old dancer expressed his frustration but maintained a sense of optimism about the outcome. “I feel frustrated, but I feel good because the truth always wins,” Savchenko stated. “Hopefully in a couple of days, we can figure it out and Olivia can go to school and be happy and live with me.” He emphasized that his primary motivation throughout this legal process is the well-being of his child.
The Core of the Dispute
The conflict centers on where the teenager should reside and continue her education. According to Savchenko, Olivia has expressed a clear desire to remain in Los Angeles with her father to attend a local high school. Conversely, Samodanova maintains that her daughter should continue living at their current home in Hong Kong.
Prior to the hearing, Savchenko’s legal representative, Mark Karney, noted the unpredictability of family law cases. However, he stressed the urgency of the situation, stating:
“Olivia’s best interests must be addressed, and that needs to happen tomorrow because her mother has prevented her from attending school. This is a case about a kid who is old enough to decide that she wants to live with her father in California and attend school here.”
Perspective from the Other Side
Elena Samodanova, 43, strongly disputed the claims made by Savchenko’s legal team, asserting her long-standing role as the primary caregiver for their daughter. In an exclusive statement, she expressed deep concern over the public nature of the disagreement.
“My heart is broken by what is happening. My concern is not about winning a public argument. It is about protecting my daughter’s well-being, stability, education and future,” Samodanova remarked. She argued that the legal battle has interfered with critical milestones in Olivia’s life, specifically the commencement of her two-year IB diploma program.
Samodanova concluded by emphasizing that her priority is providing the teenager with structure. “She deserves a safe and stable home, continuity in her education, the opportunity to continue the world-class dance career she has worked so hard to build and the freedom to love both of her parents without being caught between them,” she added.