Gleb Savchenko's girlfriend pulled into custody battle
Gleb Savchenko’s girlfriend, Kaitlin Trujillo, has been drawn into his custody fight with ex-wife Elena Samodanova after Samodanova learned their teenage daughter Olivia is living in a Los Angeles property linked to Trujillo, while a California judge stayed the case amid Hague Convention proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Elena Samodanova says Olivia is staying in a home owned by Gleb Savchenko’s girlfriend, Kaitlin Trujillo, not a permanent residence he maintains.
- Samodanova says she is concerned about parental judgment and stability, not Trujillo’s adult-entertainment work.
- Savchenko says Olivia is safe, nearly 16, and has expressed where she wants to live.
- A Los Angeles judge stayed the custody case as Hague Convention proceedings move forward over alleged wrongful retention.
- Savchenko filed for sole custody of Olivia in July; Samodanova seeks primary custody and her return to Hong Kong.
What pulled Gleb Savchenko’s girlfriend into the custody battle?
Future Tech & AI Wonders readers following viral celebrity news will know the flashpoint: Samodanova told Us Weekly, as reported by TMZ, that Savchenko disclosed Olivia’s address only after a court ordered him to provide her location and contact information.
That address, she said, showed their teenage daughter living in a property owned by Trujillo rather than in a permanent home maintained by Savchenko. The Dancing With the Stars pro, 42, was first linked to Trujillo, 28, in January after his split from Brooks Nader.
Why is Elena Samodanova challenging Olivia’s living situation?
Samodanova, 43, said her “greatest concern remains Olivia’s safety and current living environment.” She later learned the homeowner works in adult entertainment and stressed she does not judge Trujillo’s profession.
“My concern is Gleb’s judgment as a father and whether this is an appropriate and stable environment for our teenage daughter,” she said. She argued Olivia’s safety, stability, and future come first and vowed to use every legal channel to bring her daughter home to Hong Kong, where Olivia had lived with her mother and younger sister Zlata.
What has Gleb Savchenko said about the dispute?
Savchenko told Us Weekly that Olivia is “safe, supported and surrounded by people who love and care for her,” noting she is nearly 16 and has expressed her own wishes. After an August 18 hearing covered by Just Jared, he said he felt “frustrated, but… good because the truth always wins,” adding, “I just want to save my kid.”
He also said he was “disappointed to see unrelated personal matters and third parties brought into a deeply private situation,” and would not attack Olivia’s mother publicly. His attorney, Mark Karney, argued Olivia is old enough to choose life and school in California.
Where does the court case stand now?
Savchenko filed an emergency request in July seeking temporary sole legal and physical custody of Olivia and permission to enroll her in a Los Angeles-area high school, claiming a 2023 temporary Hong Kong move never reversed. Samodanova disputes that account, sought primary custody, and alleged he canceled Olivia’s return flight.
A judge stayed the Los Angeles case and did not order Olivia’s immediate return to Hong Kong after Samodanova said she filed Hague Convention proceedings alleging wrongful retention. Samodanova also warned the fight has disrupted Olivia’s IB diploma program and dance career. Savchenko is not seeking custody of Zlata, 8. No final custody ruling has been issued.