‘DWTS’ pro Gleb Savchenko accuses ex-wife of giving teen daughter weight-loss medication arbitrarily as custody battle escalates

Dancing With the Stars professional dancer, Gleb Savchenko, has brought up some new concerns about his ex-wife Elena Samodanova’s alleged treatment towards his elder daughter Olivia, in the midst of a legal battle. He accused her of making derogatory statements against the body and physique of their young daughter and giving her some weight-loss medication without any medical oversight at all.

As per TMZ's report dated October 13, 2026, citing the details obtained from court papers, Savchenko is claiming that his daughter, Olivia who is 15 years old, told him how his ex-wife made “nasty comments about her body, weight, and appearance.” He also claims Olivia experienced prolonged periods of silent treatment and had her bedroom door removed as a form of punishment.

The allegations have not been independently established, and the claims described in the latest filing should not be treated as proven misconduct.

Gleb Savchenko seeks court intervention over daughter’s well-being

Born in Russia, Savchenko is best known as a professional dancer and choreographer in the American reality dance show, Dancing with the Stars.

According to TMZ, Savchenko is now looking for a judge to stop both parents behaving in a way that might affect the wellbeing of his daughter Olivia and his younger daughter, Zlata, physically or emotionally. His recent move has nothing to do with changing the place where the kids live. He also wants assurances that his parenting time with his children will not be shortened or obstructed without written agreement.

Custody battle involves competing claims over Hong Kong relocation

The latest accusations come after months of legal battle between Savchenko and Samodanova, who separated in 2020 and divorced in October 2021, after 14 years of marriage, Us Weekly reported.

In July 2026, Savchenko asked for emergency custody relief, saying that an agreement which allowed Samodanova to take the girls to Hong Kong for one year was broken. According to him, the girls were supposed to come back to the U.S. in 2024. Samodanova has disputed this account.

In an August 2026 statement to Us Weekly, she said: “My concern is not about winning a public argument. It is about protecting my daughter’s well-being, stability, education and future.”

She also emphasized that Olivia loves both parents and that her father remains an important part of her life.