Dancing With the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko could be known as the Housewives ballroom whisperer. Gleb danced with Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne during Season 24 of DWTS.
RHOBH alum Lisa Vanderpump waltzed with Gleb during Season 16 of the series. Lisa admitted that she had an “emotional affair” with her “gorgeous” partner. No word on if Lisa fainted because of Gleb’s hotness.
Real Housewives of New York star Luann de Lesseps has expressed interest in doing DWTS, and she already has a pro picked out. “I’d personally want to dance with Gleb Savchenko, because he’s tall and he knows how to cha-cha-cha,” she stated.
In November of 2020, People reported that Gleb and his wife, fellow dancer Elena Samodanova, were splitting up. Gleb shared the news on his Instagram. “It is with a heavy heart that I tell you my wife and I are parting ways after 14 years of marriage,” Gleb wrote. “We still intend to co-parent 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.”
But the split turned messy. On November 7, 2020, Gleb issued a statement to People, shutting down rumors that he was romantically involved with his DWTS dance partner, and Selling Sunset star, Chrishell Stause. In fact, Chrishell found love with his fellow pro, Keo Motsepe.
In December of 2020, Gleb told Entertainment Tonight that he never cheated on his wife, and alleged that it was Elena who cheated on him.
The couple’s divorce was finalized on October 22, 2021, per US Weekly. The couple agreed to joint legal and physical custody of their two daughters.
According to People, Elena has requested a change to the custody agreement because of Gleb’s “long work hours and travels” for the upcoming year. In court documents filed on February 28, 2022, Elena alleged that Gleb “refused to amend the schedule amicably.” Elena is asking for primary custody of both of their daughters, 11-year-old Olivia, and 4-year-old Zlata.
“I agreed to alternate parenting time every five days. Soon after the judgment was signed, [Savchenko]’s schedule changed and he was not available to take care of our daughters,” Elena claimed. “Due to [Savchenko]’s long work hours and travels in 2022, he is unable to exercise custody pursuant to current parenting plan.”
Elena also asked that her daughters live with her on every weekday and alternating weekends when Gleb is present in Los Angeles for more than one day. “I have facilitated visits when [Savchenko] is in Los Angeles and has the time to see our children as his schedule allows,” Elena stated in the legal documents. “I will continue to do so.”
A hearing has been scheduled for March 21, 2022. Gleb’s attorneys did not reply to People’s request for comment.
In December of 2021, Elena made a request for both full-time custody as well as child support from the DWTS pro, per People. She said that Gleb’s schedule was the reason for the request. The custody plan was a 50/50 split. Every five days, each parent would switch custody of the kids.
Gleb has been part of the DWTS: Live tour, which is set to wrap on March 27, 2022.
RELATED: Lisa Vanderpump Says She Had An “Emotional Affair” With Dancing With The Stars Partner Gleb Savchenko
He issued a statement in January of 2022 about the custody issues, per People. “Unfortunately, there is misinformation being spread about me. While I was hopeful to keep our divorce amicable and private for the sake of my children, I feel I must now respond to set the record straight,” Gleb said.
The dance pro continued, “To clarify, my DWTS tour schedule runs from January 3rd to March 27th, and I have one day off during each week. Due to our 50/50 custody split, that means there are 5 weeks where I would have allocated time with my children,” he said. “I will be flying home one day each week to be with my kids. Furthermore, I have no plans to teach in Mexico, and no plans to participate as a judge in DWTS Sweden. Those statements are categorically false,” Gleb added.
Elena fired back with her own statement. “I’m unsure why my ex-husband is deciding to speak on any of this and comment on our personal lives in such a public way. Protecting my children and their well-being has been my only concern,” Elena stated.
She added, “As their mother, I am available to care for them and should while Gleb is on the road working. Bottom line. End of discussion.”
TELL US- SHOULD GLEB AND ELENA’S CUSTODY ARRANGEMENT BE CHANGED? DO YOU WANT GLEB TO RETURN TO DWTS IF/WHEN IT COMES BACK?
[Photo Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin]
