Gleb Savchenko will not be returning to Dancing With The Stars, the ABC network announced Wednesday. Savchenko, who has been a professional dancer on the show for 12 seasons, was not included in the lineup for the upcoming season 35.
Savchenko addressed his departure with a cryptic comment on a now-deleted TikTok, reportedly stating, "14 years of loyalty, erased by someone’s lie. Lies all over p." However, in an Instagram post, he presented a more positive outlook, assuring fans, "Guys, I promise… I’m good. Nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom. Excited for this next chapter — and wishing everyone an amazing season. No sad messages. We’re moving forward."
Savchenko's absence from the show comes as he is involved in an ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova. The couple, who were married for 14 years and share two children, split in 2020. Samodanova had previously accused Savchenko of infidelity, which he denied.
In July, Savchenko filed court documents alleging that Samodanova had kept their two children in Hong Kong for two years without his consent, claiming a "wrongful retention." He also alleged that his ex-wife had taken their daughters to Russia without his permission. Savchenko is seeking temporary legal and sole custody of their eldest daughter, Olivia, 15, and has requested an emergency order for her to live with him in Los Angeles. He also claimed that Olivia's return to her mother could result in another international wrongful retention or abduction, particularly given that Russia is not a signatory to the Hague Convention.
Samodanova has denied these claims. In a statement, she asserted that Savchenko had wrongfully kept Olivia in the U.S. after allegedly canceling her ticket back to Hong Kong. She also stated that Savchenko had previously "wrongfully canceled her ticket" back to Hong Kong.
Savchenko previously dated model Brooks Nader, whom he was paired with on season 33 of Dancing With The Stars in 2024. The couple split last year. Notably, Nader's sister, Sarah Jane, is among the cast members for the upcoming season 35, though it is unclear if this connection played a role in Savchenko's departure.