Gleb Savchenko custody bid draws sharp pushback from Elena Samodanova
Elena Samodanova rejected Gleb Savchenko’s custody push in a text to his lawyer, TMZ reports, as their cross-border dispute grows.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
The Gleb Savchenko custody fight has taken another turn, with TMZ reporting that Elena Samodanova pushed back hard in a text message to the “Dancing with the Stars” pro’s lawyer.
According to TMZ, the outlet obtained a screenshot of a message Samodanova sent to attorney Mark H. Karney, who represents Savchenko. In the message, Samodanova rejects giving Savchenko custody of their daughter Olivia or allowing him to enroll her in school in California, TMZ reported.
The dispute centers on where Olivia should live and go to school. TMZ reported that Samodanova says Olivia has lived in Hong Kong for more than nine years and argues that is where the child belongs.
Samodanova also accused Savchenko of canceling Olivia’s return ticket to Hong Kong, according to TMZ. In the message described by the outlet, she referred to the situation as “wrongful retention.”
Why is Gleb Savchenko seeking custody?
TMZ previously reported that Savchenko filed an emergency request for custody of Olivia. The outlet also reported that he plans to file a Hague Convention petition involving the former couple’s other daughter, Zlata, in an effort to bring her to the United States.
A Hague Convention petition is a legal tool used in international child custody disputes when one parent seeks a child’s return across borders. In this case, TMZ reported that Savchenko’s planned filing would concern Zlata.
Olivia has been staying with Savchenko in Los Angeles, according to TMZ. The outlet reported that Savchenko has raised concerns about sending her back to China to live with Samodanova.
Samodanova’s text, as described by TMZ, makes clear she is resisting that push. Her position, according to the screenshot, is that Olivia’s long-term home has been Hong Kong and that Savchenko should not be making school or travel decisions that keep her in California.
Who are Gleb Savchenko and Elena Samodanova?
Savchenko is known to TV viewers as a professional dancer on “Dancing with the Stars.” Samodanova is his ex-wife, and the former couple share two daughters, Olivia and Zlata.
The latest reported text adds a fresh flashpoint to an already tense custody dispute. TMZ has reported competing claims over the children’s location, schooling and return to Asia, with Savchenko seeking court intervention and Samodanova disputing his position through her message to his lawyer.
The legal fight now appears to be moving on two tracks: Savchenko’s emergency custody request involving Olivia and his expected Hague Convention petition involving Zlata, according to TMZ.
No court ruling on the latest custody request was reported by TMZ in connection with the text message.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.