Elena Grinenko facts for kids
Elena Grinenko is a super talented Russian ballroom dance champion, who also creates dance routines and teaches others. She's most famous for being one of the professional dancers on the American TV show Dancing with the Stars.
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About Elena Grinenko
Elena Grinenko was born in Moscow, Russia, on December 14, 1976. She started dancing when she was just seven years old! She learned many types of dance, including ballroom dancing, ballet, and traditional Russian folk dancing.
She worked with Russia's Ballroom Formation Team. After three years of competing as a professional dancer, she became a top finalist in the Soviet Union.
In 1994, Elena won the Latin dance division at both the Moscow and National Championships. She finished high school in 1995. After that, she studied different kinds of dance at the Art Academy of Russia. In 1998, she moved to the United States. There, she quickly became one of the most exciting new dancers.
On August 17, 2012, she married the model and actor Rib Hillis.
Dance Partners and Championships
For ten years, Elena danced with Michael Nadtochy. They even became Russian National Champions together! Later, she teamed up with Maksim Chmerkovskiy. As a pair, they became one of the best International Latin dance couples in the world.
After that, she danced with Tony Dovolani. With him, she became the undefeated U.S. and World Rhythm Champion. This means they won every competition they entered in that style!
Dancing with the Stars Journey
In 2006, Elena joined the cast of the third season of Dancing with the Stars. This was interesting because her former dance partners, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Tony Dovolani, were also competing!
For her first season, she was paired with journalist Tucker Carlson. They were the first couple to be eliminated from the show.
Elena came back for the fourth season. This time, her partner was NBA basketball star Clyde Drexler. They danced well and were the fourth couple to leave the competition, finishing in eighth place.
Second World Dance Championship
In 2010, Elena Grinenko represented the U.S.A. in the Second Dance World Championship in Mexico. She was dancing with Paul Barris. Elena had to leave the competition early because she found out she was pregnant. Another dancer, Snejana Petrova, took her place.
See also
- U.S. National Dancesport Champions (Professional Rhythm)
- Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 3)
- Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 4)
