Elena Grinenko

Elena Grinenko is a professional ballroom dance champion, choreographer, and instructor. Born in Moscow, Russia, on December 14, 1976, Grinenko began dancing at the age of seven. Trained in ballroom dancing, ballet, and Russian folk dancing, she achieved recognition as a Soviet Union Finalist after joining the Ballroom Formation Team of Russia. In 1994, she won the Latin Division at the Moscow and National Championships. Grinenko continued to excel in her career, becoming one of the fastest rising stars in the dancing industry after moving to the United States in 1998. She is best known for her appearances as a professional dancer on the American television series Dancing with the Stars. Grinenko married model and actor Rib Hillis on August 17, 2012.