Dancing With the Stars fans are already quite familiar with who Gleb Savchenko is, but they may not be as well-acquainted with his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova.
Savchenko and Samodanova got married in 2006, later welcoming daughters Olivia and Zlata.
After being married for more than a decade, Us Weekly confirmed in November 2020 that the couple had chosen to separate.
“It is with a heavy heart that I tell you my wife and I are parting ways after 14 years of marriage,” Savchenko said in a statement to Us. “We still intend to coparent our wonderful children together who we love so dearly, and we will strive to continue to be the best parents that we can to them. We ask that you respect our family’s need for privacy and healing during this time.”
Savchenko and Samodanova settled their divorce in October 2021. She later moved to Hong Kong with their kids in 2023, granting her ex-husband frequent visitations.
Scroll through the gallery below to learn more about Samodanova:
She Owns a Dance Studio
She and Savchenko are the co-owners of a Los Angeles-based dance studio called Pro Dance LA. The studio, for which she is also its head instructor, primarily provides ballroom and Latin dance lessons to both children and adults, but it also offers ballet and hip-hop dance classes. During the coronavirus pandemic, they began offering virtual lessons to their clientele online.
She’s a Dance Choreographer
On Samodanova’s website, she has listed her abundance of experience working as a choreographer. She has provided her talents to shows including Dancing With The Stars – Russia and So You Think You Can Dance – Australia, as well as live stage productions One More Dance in London and Ballroom Superstars in Sydney. Additionally, her skills in this area have awarded her opportunities to serve as a creative assistant on shows such as the U.K.’s Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With the Stars – Bollywood.
She Has Tried Her Hand at Acting
According to her IMDb profile, Samodanova earned one acting credit in 2010 for appearing in Dong feng po, in which she played a backpacker.
She Has Served as a Reality TV Judge
While Savchenko has served as a pro dancer on DWTS since season 16 premiered in 2013, Samodanova was a judge on Dancing With The Stars – Russia in 2015. In September 2019, she posted a throwback from her time as a judge and noted that she was “very strict” in the role.
She Has Earned Many Dance Accolades
Throughout her dancing career, she’s been able to earn several honors including when she represented Australia at the World Dance Championship and earned a Top 10 World Ranking in Latin American dancing.
She Welcomed Her 3rd Child at 42
Nearly five years after settling her divorce from Savchenko, Samodanova confirmed in August 2025 that she was pregnant. (The little one is be her first child with boyfriend Vlad Kvartin.)
“Congratulations 🎉,” Savchenko commented on her Instagram announcement. “I’m so happy for you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
Samodanova gave birth to daughter Victoria in December 2025.
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