Gleb Savchenko addressed his ongoing custody fight with ex-wife Elena Samodanova after Tuesday’s hearing hit another delay. The Dancing with the Stars pro said he remained focused on daughter Olivia and hoped she could soon return to school.
Savchenko, 42, appeared at a Los Angeles courtroom with attorney Mark Karney on August 18. The hearing concerned 15-year-old Olivia, while the former couple also shared nine-year-old daughter Zlata.
Gleb Savchenko addresses his fight with Elena Samodanova over their daughter’s living arrangements
After court, Savchenko said he felt frustrated but remained hopeful about the custody fight. “I feel frustrated, but I feel good because the truth always wins,” he told Us Weekly.
He added, “Hopefully in a couple of days, we can figure it out and [our daughter] Olivia can go to school and be happy and live with me.”
Savchenko said Olivia wanted to remain with him in Los Angeles and attend a local high school. Samodanova argued that their daughter should stay at her current home in Hong Kong.
The judge pushed the hearing to Thursday, August 20, after Samodanova encountered repeated internet connection problems. The delay followed a pre-scheduled hearing involving Olivia’s living arrangements.
Before Tuesday’s hearing, Karney expressed hope that the judge would issue a temporary order. He said Olivia’s best interests needed immediate attention because she had missed school.
Karney also argued that Olivia had repeatedly told her mother about wanting to live with Savchenko. He said she wanted to attend school in California.
Samodanova rejected those claims and stressed her role as Olivia’s primary caregiver. She said her focus remained her daughter’s stability rather than winning a public argument.
“My heart is broken by what is happening,” Samodanova told Us. “My concern is not about winning a public argument. It is about protecting my daughter’s well-being, stability, education and future.”
She also said the custody dispute disrupted Olivia’s IB diploma program after years of preparation. Samodanova claimed it also interrupted her daughter’s competitive dance career.
“Above everything else, Olivia is my daughter, not a headline,” she said. “I love her unconditionally, and I am here for her regardless of what happens between the adults.”
Savchenko also made his own priorities clear after court. “I just want to save my kid, you know, that’s all,” he said.
The next hearing could determine Olivia’s immediate living and schooling arrangements.
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