Exclusive: Gleb Savchenko Statement On How It Feels To Be Back, DWTS Week One Dance Teaser, And More
We wrote to Gleb Savchenko to see if he had any Dancing With The Stars Season 23 Week One teasers for us. We also asked him how it felt to be returning to the US version of Dancing With The Stars. You can read below for what he wrote to us.
Gleb Savchenko: I’m so happy to be reunited with my Dancing With The Stars family. My daughter Olivia is about to start school in LA so it seemed like the perfect move for me and my family. I’ve been partnered with the country singer and actress Jana Kramer who has absolutely no dance experience but a week into training and she’s doing great. Jana’s enthusiasm and eagerness to learn together with her being such a hard worked makes up for her lack of experience and we’re excited now for the opening week. Our dance is the Viennese Waltz and the version I’ve choreographed is quite sexy and sensual. We’re just working out the outfits, but, I’m sure they’ll match the theme. We had a blast appearing on Good Morning America in NY this week with all the pros and celebs and we trained every day whilst we were there as Jana is still on tour we have to train when and where we can. If you like what you see, please vote for Jana and I this season on DWTS.
Here are Gleb’s last three three Viennese Waltzes with Lisa Vanderpump (DWTS Season 16), Anita Rani (SCD), and Adelina Sotnikova (DWTS Russia). Some of my favorite Viennese Waltzes ever…
This time Jana and Gleb will be dancing to “Dangerous Womanβ by Ariana Grande. What a perfect song to go with his new sensual choreography….
Also, did you know Gleb has a new 2017 calendar? It’s available for pre-order and can be shipped to the US. See this link if interested. I have his 2016 Calendar. It’s one of my favorite pieces in my Dancing With The Stars Collection as this will be too.
With that said, don’t forget to VOTE for Gleb and Jana Monday night. We think this is their phone number. We’ll know Monday for sure: 1-800-868-3405!
Thanks Gleb! We wish you and Jana all the best!!! xxx
Cannot wait to see what Gleb comes up with that song, Jana looks good for no dance experience. He and Lisa did make me laugh when they were practicing, he took it quite well, but wanted her to practice more. Hope they will do well and go until the finale, fingers crossed and getting lots of voters. Loved, loved, every dance he and Adelina did on DWTS Russia, now for some great dancers on DWTS US!!
You said it, Julie!! It’s amazing how we’ve followed him from the US to Russia to the UK and now here he is back in the US. Here’s to Monday!
PS: Let’s hope he does the DWTS Tour too! π
Shippers are going to love these two! They are gorgeous together!
That’s my fear, Heart, as 1) I have a severe shipping allergy and 2) there are marriages, children and hardship involved in this case. My hope is that fans recognize and respect that as much as any fine looks, chemistry, friendship and performances. Judging from some comments I’ve seen on/to them elsewhere though, I’m not optimistic.
That said, I’m not crazy about this song as a week 1 VW for them. While I don’t doubt Gleb’s ability to choreo a compelling piece, with more established pros and celeb pairings, I fear these two are really going to have to make an impression FAST and I’m not sure the mood of this song is best suited to that as say a less angsty, more widely recognized number would be. Furthermore, it might lend itself to to above concerns.
P.s. Does anyone recall anyone dancing a VW in week 1 before?
So excited to see Gleb and Jana and what they produce!!!
Wynn, I agree these two need to come out strong on Monday night and make an impression on viewers. I’m sure TPTB will have no interest in promoting them and could well have them earmarked as cannon fodder.
Gleb likes to bring a certain degree of sensuality to his choreography, and I don’t think he’s going to change that. So there’s nothing he or Jana can do if the pathetic shippers go crazy for them. The important thing is that Gleb, Elena and Jana are all on the same page and have established their ground rules.
I totally agree, Cidra ( and am SO happy to see you giving this season a chance – you are one of my favorite posters and always such an articulate voice of reason that would be much missed). This pair has mad chemistry so extremist shippers are bound to ship. I don’t doubt the principals but am leary of the unscrupulous TPTB potential storyboarding of it. This pairing is a sentimental favorite and I’d like to see them get an uncomplicated, fair shake so Gleb can showcase his pro talents and Jana can have a renewing experience following a tough time (which is what I was most referring to above). I am really pulling and excited for this team.
I’m really surprised that they ended up pairing the pro that wanted to spend more time with his family with a celeb that has to travel so much. That being said, Jana and Gleb seems to get along amazingly and we really need some excellent male choreographers on the show so I wish them lots of luck!
Wynn- I’m usually not a huge fan of angst driven, sexual ballroom, dances but hopefully it will be great. They used to do V. Waltz in week one in the earlier seasons (last time I remember was season 11).
@ Wynn
Nicole/Derek, Jennifer/Derek and Ricki/Derek danced a Viennese Waltz in Week 1.
My favorite all time dance from Gleb is the Paso he did with Adelina! π Wishing him and Jana good luck!
The thing with Gleb’s amazing choreo with Adelina is though that there are obviously no lift rules on DWTS Russia so there were a lot of lifts in the Viennese Waltz, Paso etc. which is simply not allowed on DWTS.
Thanks for this!
I’m quite optimistic about their chances. They’re obviously not in the same category as the big name celebs and pros, but I hope they’re going to be more than cannon fodder (the dancingabc instagram has just featured them with a cute, funny video, for example). And even if shippers ship them, Jana has a new baby and Gleb is very open about being a married dad, so I can’t see abc pushing that angle.
Judging by Gleb’s social media and his Russian and UK performances, I think he now knows what he has to do to make an impact (which probably means it will not be a classic VW). Looking forward to Monday in any case!
Unlike many of you I do not watch the other versions of DWTS but after reading so many of your glowing comments, I am sincerely looking forward to rediscovering Gleb’s talent.
Gleb is so handsome! Also, I love your website, it’s so positive and a great source of info. I aspreciate all you do. It must be a lot of work / time and I really enjoy reading it. first time commenter here. I will miss Mark but what a great opportunity for him.
Thanks for you responses, Chayse and Geri. I remember those dances just had forgotten that they came in week uno. VW is such a task to come out of the gate which is likely why it’s so rare with Derek being the common thread.
Welcome Diane!! It’s good to have you and thanks for all the kind words. Much appreciated. π
Oh Jim, the memories of DWTSRussia. Unforgettable!