Full Breakdown
Gleb Savchenko Seeks Emergency Custody of Daughter Amid International Dispute
7/16/2026, 2:10:57 AM
Core Event
On July 15 2026, professional dancer Gleb Savchenko filed an emergency petition in Los Angeles Superior Court requesting temporary sole legal and physical custody of his 15-year-old daughter Olivia. The filing alleges that ex-wife Elena Samodanova has kept Olivia and their 8-year-old daughter Zlata in Hong Kong beyond a 2023 agreement that the relocation would be temporary, thereby “wrongfully retaining” the children overseas. Savchenko seeks to bar Samodanova from visitation until further court action.
Background & Context
Savchenko and Samodanova, both dancers, divorced in November 2020 after 14 years of marriage. In 2023 the parties signed a Post-Judgment Agreement allowing Samodanova to move the children to Hong Kong for a one-year work project. The agreement stipulated the children would return to the United States by June 30 2024. Savchenko contends the move became permanent, with Samodanova obtaining Hong Kong residency, enrolling the children in a private school, and establishing a new family life there.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 2020 | Divorce filed |
| 2023 | Post-Judgment Agreement signed; children relocate to Hong Kong |
| June 5 2024 | Planned return flight for Olivia (canceled, per Samodanova) |
| July 15 2026 | Savchenko files emergency custody petition |
| Aug 5 2026 | Court-ordered child-custody mediation |
| Aug 18 2026 | Scheduled formal hearing (pending) |
Key Figures
- Gleb Savchenko – 42-year-old “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer, seeking sole custody of Olivia.
- Elena Samodanova – 43-year-old dancer and choreographer, primary caregiver for Olivia, asserts Hong Kong is the girls’ permanent home.
- Olivia Savchenko – 15 years old, currently residing with her father in Los Angeles; Savchenko claims she wants to stay in California.
- Zlata Savchenko – 8 years old, remains in Hong Kong with her mother; not the subject of the current petition.
Data & Statistics
- Ages: Olivia 15, Zlata 8.
- Residency: Samodanova holds a Hong Kong Permanent Resident card; Savchenko also possesses such a card.
- Location: Olivia is physically in California; Zlata is in Hong Kong.
Official Statements & Responses
- Savchenko’s filing alleges Samodanova “refused to return” the children, “obtained permanent Hong Kong residency,” and “has drastically limited my access.” He claims Olivia “does not want to return to Hong Kong” and fears “international wrongful retention/abduction.”
- Samodanova’s response (via TMZ) states the attorney’s claims “misrepresent our family’s reality,” emphasizes her role as Olivia’s daily caregiver, and asserts that “Hong Kong is Olivia’s permanent home and legal residency.” She accuses Savchenko of “wrongfully cancel[ing]” Olivia’s return ticket and labels his filing a “rushed attempt to bypass proper laws.”
Criticism & Opposition
Legal experts note that neither party has yet presented court-validated evidence of abuse, kidnapping, or jurisdictional violations. The dispute hinges on differing interpretations of the 2023 agreement and on the applicability of the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, which has not been invoked by either side in the filings.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Savchenko claims Olivia “does not want to be in the position of having to confront her mother” and cites alleged “abusive comments,” yet no independent verification of those comments is provided.
- Samodanova maintains Olivia “thrives” in Hong Kong and that California “lacks jurisdiction,” but the petition does not include documentation of Olivia’s school records or residency status.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Instead, she has remained in Hong Kong, obtained permanent Hong Kong residency, enrolled the children in an expensive private school, got the children a cat, became engaged, and had another child with her fiancé,” — Gleb Savchenko, dancer
- “Olivia has expressed unequivocally, that she does not want to return to Hong Kong nor has any desire to live with her mother.” — Gleb Savchenko, dancer
- “The statement from Mr. Savchenko's attorney misrepresents our family's reality. As Olivia's primary caregiver, I have raised her every day while Gleb worked full-time on DWTS. Today, Olivia thrives in Hong Kong. She attends a top school and is an elite ballroom dancer.” — Elena Samodanova, ex-wife
- “Hong Kong is Olivia's permanent home and legal residency.” — Elena Samodanova, ex-wife
- “Hong Kong is Olivia’s permanent home and legal residency. Ironically, Gleb himself holds a Permanent Resident card there. Olivia was scheduled to return to Hong Kong on June 5th, but her father wrongfully canceled her ticket without my permission. This is a wrongful international retention.” — Elena Samodanova, ex-wife
Why It Matters
The case highlights the complexities of cross-border custody when parents hold dual residency and when temporary relocation agreements evolve into long-term living arrangements. It may set precedent for how U.S. courts assess “wrongful retention” claims under the Hague Convention when both parents possess legal status in the foreign jurisdiction.
What’s Next
The parties are ordered to attend a mediation session on August 5 2026, after which a formal hearing is slated for August 18 2026 to determine whether temporary sole custody of Olivia will be granted.
