The ballroom’s most eligible bachelor is officially off the market, and he’s leaving the sequins behind. On January 20, 2026, Dancing with the Stars veteran Gleb Savchenko and digital powerhouse Kaitlin Trujillo (Tru Kait) effectively "hard launched" their romance, ending months of speculation following his high-profile exit from the ABC reality hit. As Savchenko prepares for his debut in a recurring CBS soap opera role, his relationship with Trujillo marks a strategic pivot from reality TV drama to Hollywood leading man.
Gleb Savchenko and Kaitlin Trujillo (Tru Kait): The 2026 Instagram "Hard Launch" Explained
Following a weekend of heavy PDA in Studio City, Gleb Savchenko and digital powerhouse Kaitlin Trujillo (Tru Kait) have "hard launched" their romance on Instagram, marking a massive shift in the professional dancer's career. As Savchenko trades his Dancing with the Stars sequins for a recurring role on a CBS soap opera, his relationship with Trujillo signals the definitive end of the controversial Brooks Nader chapter and the start of a high-value Hollywood pivot.
The palm trees of Studio City have witnessed countless Hollywood "soft launches," but few have ignited the digital zeitgeist quite like the weekend of January 18, 2026. As the Dancing with the Stars fandom looked on, Savchenko, now 42, officially signaled the start of a new chapter. He was seen among the organic produce and artisanal flora of the Studio City Farmer’s Market, locked in a public display of affection with model and digital strategist Kaitlin Trujillo.
The transition from "mystery woman" to "confirmed partner" happened with surgical precision. While paparazzi captured the initial spark at the market, the definitive confirmation took place in the comment section of a poolside Instagram post on Monday, January 19, 2026. When Trujillo dropped the simple yet provocative comment, "My bf is so sexy," she claimed a seat at the table of mainstream celebrity. Savchenko’s immediate "like" acted as a digital press release, signaling he is "happy and grateful" for this new era.
Why Gleb Savchenko Left Dancing with the Stars for a 2026 CBS Soap Opera Role
To understand why this relationship matters, one must look at the professional crossroads Gleb Savchenko currently occupies. After 14 seasons of Dancing with the Stars, Savchenko has officially declared his independence from the ballroom. While he concluded his 2025 run with partner Hilaria Baldwin (exiting in October 2025 after a "Disney Night" quickstep), the year 2026 marks his formal pivot into scripted drama.
Having secured a recurring role on a flagship CBS soap opera—fulfilling his long-held goal of transitioning into the "soap world"—Savchenko is trading live competition for disciplined daytime drama. This move allows him to shed the "pro-partner" label and lean into his training at the Lesly Kahn School for Acting. His casting in an upcoming feature film further cements this transition, signaling to the industry that he is ready for the rigors of a scripted set.
Tru Kait Net Worth: Is Kaitlin Trujillo a Millionaire
While Savchenko handles the transition to legacy media, Kaitlin Trujillo is orchestrating a successful brand evolution. To categorize her simply as an "influencer" is a disservice to her business empire. With a net worth estimated between $2.5 million and $3.8 million, Trujillo (born in 1997) is a titan of the "creator-to-founder" pipeline.
Her journey began in subscription-based content, providing the financial independence to pivot. By early 2026, the "Tru Kait" brand had moved into "Mainstream 2.0," replacing her digital past with editorial modeling and luxury partnerships. Currently holding a global rank in the top 20,000 accounts on Instagram, dating a mainstream star like Savchenko provides her with cross-demographic legitimacy, while Savchenko benefits from her "algorithm-proof" business model.
Gleb Savchenko and Tru Kait: Why This 2026 Power Match is a Branding Masterclass.
In the current landscape, celebrity relationships are often judged by their "brand synergy." In the case of Gleb Savchenko and Kaitlin Trujillo, the alignment is nearly perfect. They are two public figures who have both survived "controversial" labels and are now seeking a unified, high-value narrative. This is the "Redemption Arc" of 2026.
Trujillo’s independent success is a crucial component of this dynamic. Unlike previous "showmances" where the power dynamic was often skewed toward the professional dancer, this is a partnership of equals. Tru Kait does not need Savchenko’s platform for financial stability; she already commands a multi-million dollar empire. Conversely, Savchenko does not need Trujillo to boost his follower count; he needs her to help him navigate the complexities of the modern digital landscape as he attempts to conquer Hollywood.
Together, they represent the "Mainstream 2.0" model. By appearing alongside a "traditional" celebrity, Trujillo accesses a demographic—daytime TV viewers and network executives—that was previously out of her digital reach. Meanwhile, Savchenko benefits from Trujillo’s "algorithm-proof" business model, ensuring that his career is supported by a partner who understands the nuances of the creator economy.
Beyond the Brooks Nader Drama: Gleb Savchenko’s Fresh Start in 2026
It is impossible to discuss Gleb Savchenko’s 2026 glow-up without acknowledging the shadow of his previous relationship. His split from Brooks Nader in April 2025 was a tabloid wildfire reaching its low point when Nader appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, labeling Savchenko the "hottest, douchiest guy" she had ever met. Those comments, paired with accusations of infidelity that Savchenko has consistently denied, created a public persona that was difficult to manage.
The entry of Kaitlin Trujillo into his life marks a "zero-drama" era. Unlike the high-friction dynamic he shared with Nader, his life with "Tru Kait" appears intentionally grounded. An insider recently told Page Six that Gleb is "happy and grateful" for the positive changes in his life. According to the source, after the high-octane drama of the "Nader era," this new chapter with Trujillo feels like a "zero-drama" sanctuary. When spotted in Studio City, the couple is often in casual streetwear, focused on the mundane tasks of daily life. This "lifestyle of normalcy" is a strategic move; it softens Savchenko’s image for the CBS audience and elevates Trujillo by placing her in a stable, high-profile partnership.
A Future Beyond Reality TV
As we move further into 2026, the "mystery woman" narrative has been replaced by a story of strategic growth. Savchenko’s commitment to his CBS acting role and Trujillo’s expansion into beauty and wellness suggest that this is not a fleeting romance, but a long-term professional and personal alliance. The Studio City Farmer’s Market was the opening act; the "sexy bf" comment was the confirmation. Together, they are a masterclass in modern brand rebuilding.