Olivia Declares Her Future: Gleb Savchenko vs Elena Samodanova Battle

**Gleb Savchenko vs. Elena Samodanova: The Custody Battle Over Olivia’s Future**

Gleb Savchenko, the former *Dancing with the Stars* choreographer, and his ex‑wife Elena Samodanova are embroiled in a high‑profile custody fight that has moved from the courts to the headlines.

In late August, the pair faced off in California over who will keep their 15‑year‑old daughter Olivia—and the younger Zlata, eight—under their care.

The dispute, centered on an emergency court order and a pending trial, highlights how modern families navigate legal, geographic, and emotional challenges when parents split across continents.

The core of the conflict erupted when Samodanova filed an emergency custody request on August 11. She sought sole legal and physical custody of Olivia and Zlata, urging the court to return Olivia to Hong Kong.

In her filing she claimed she did not know where Savchenko and their daughters were, adding that her only contact with Olivia had been through Instagram messages. Savchenko, who had already filed for sole custody in July, vehemently opposed the motion, arguing that Olivia had not expressed a desire to limit contact with her mother.

A scheduled hearing on August 18 saw both parents appear before a judge—Samodanova joining virtually from Hong Kong—but was postponed after technical difficulties. The case now sits on the docket, with each side preparing to present their arguments and evidence.

The outcome will hinge not only on legal precedent but also on Olivia’s own voice in the proceedings.

## Background & Context

Samodanova and Savchenko married in July 2006 and stayed together for 14 years, before divorcing in November 2020. Their divorce was finalized in October 2021, leaving them to raise two daughters together. Olivia is 15, while Zlata is 8, and both are currently enrolled in schools in Hong Kong.

The couple’s living arrangements are complicated by their separate residences—Savchenko remains in the United States, while Samodanova lives with her partner Vlad Kvartin in Hong Kong, where they also welcomed a daughter, Victoria, in December 2025.

California law stipulates that children 14 and older may express an independent preference regarding custody.

“In California, the threshold age is 14, so when a child who is 14 or older has formed what’s called an independent preference for living with one parent over the other, the court does have to take that into consideration,” senior attorney Rachael Bennett told *Legally Us*.

She added that while a child's preference carries weight, judges must still consider the child’s best interests, even if those interests diverge from the child's stated wishes.

## What Happened

Samodanova’s emergency order was grounded in her claim that she had lost contact with Olivia and could only reach her through Instagram. She requested that the court grant her sole legal and physical custody of both daughters, with Olivia returned to Hong Kong.

Savchenko’s July filing sought sole custody of Olivia and also asked permission to enroll his eldest child in a high school in Los Angeles. He publicly described his frustration but optimism, stating, “I feel frustrated, but I feel good because the truth always wins.

Hopefully, in a couple of days, we can figure it out and Olivia can go to school and be happy and live with me and visit her sister and her sister can come here and we can all live a good happy life with no problems.”

Samodanova’s August 17 statement emphasized Olivia’s thriving academic and artistic life in Hong Kong, noting, “Olivia loves both of her parents deeply, and her father is an important part of her life. I respect that relationship and always will.

But loving both parents should never require a child to be placed in the middle of a legal or public battle.” She underscored the duty of parents to prioritize their child’s future over personal disputes.

Attorney Bennett explained that Olivia, being 15, can state a preference for who she wishes to live with.

“In this case, Olivia is old enough to state her preference for who to live with, and she will have the opportunity to explain her reasoning behind it, but even if she sides with one parent over the other, it won’t automatically guarantee that’s who she’ll live with. The court will ultimately make that decision,” Bennett said.

## What Happens Next

The case is likely far from resolved.

Bennett warned that “If there’s some ambiguity over the child’s preference, and either parent thinks that they may be able to sway her, they may push it towards trial and drag this out even further.” She added that if the child’s preference is clear and no other substantial evidence supports the other parent’s position, the matter might be settled more quickly.

Samodanova remains in Hong Kong with her partner, while Savchenko continues to live in the United States. Both parents have publicly stated their love for Olivia and Zlata, yet they face an uncertain legal path that may involve further hearings, potential trials, and the possibility of a shared custody arrangement.

The court will ultimately weigh Olivia’s expressed wishes against the broader best‑interest standard as it moves forward.

In the meantime, the families are keeping their focus on their daughters’ well‑being while navigating a complicated cross‑border legal battle that underscores the growing challenges of modern, international family dynamics.