Unveiling Elena Samodanova: A Look into the Life and Career of the Accomplished Dancer and Choreographer
Dancing With the Stars enthusiasts are likely familiar with Gleb Savchenko, but may not know much about his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, who is expecting her third child. The couple, who tied the knot in 2006 and have two daughters, Olivia and Zlata, decided to separate after more than a decade of marriage. They finalized their divorce in October 2021, with Samodanova relocating to Hong Kong with their children in 2023, while Savchenko continues to have regular visitations.
Samodanova and Savchenko co-own Pro Dance LA, a dance studio in Los Angeles where she serves as the head instructor. The studio specializes in ballroom and Latin dance lessons for all ages, along with ballet and hip-hop classes. They transitioned to offering virtual lessons during the pandemic to cater to their clients online.
With a wealth of experience as a choreographer, Samodanova has worked on various shows such as Dancing With The Stars - Russia and So You Think You Can Dance - Australia, as well as stage productions like One More Dance in London and Ballroom Superstars in Sydney. She has also contributed as a creative assistant on shows like Strictly Come Dancing in the U.K. and Dancing With the Stars - Bollywood.
In addition to her dance career, Samodanova made an appearance in the 2010 film Dong feng po, where she played a backpacker. While Savchenko has been a pro dancer on DWTS since season 16, Samodanova took on the role of a judge on Dancing With The Stars - Russia in 2015. She shared a throwback photo from her judging days in September 2019, mentioning that she was known for being "very strict" in her critiques.
Throughout her dancing journey, Samodanova has achieved notable accolades, including representing Australia at the World Dance Championship and securing a Top 10 World Ranking in Latin American dancing. Her dedication to the art of dance and her diverse experiences in the industry have shaped her into a respected figure in the dance community.