Huge surprise....Stefano di Fillipo and Olga Urumova split up!

Wow....just when this super pair was getting so good. I just found out that Stefano di Fillipo and Olga Urumova split up! I am very sad about  this news, but happy to hear that Stefano will be returning onto the dance floor.

Stefano di Fillipo and Olga Urmova at International Championships 2011

Photo credit: Volgyi Attila

The pair was ranked number 5 at Blackpool in 2011. I noticed that although they have technically been dancing for 2 1/2 years, they weren't a pair that consistently competed in every competition, which was probably due to Stefano's hectic dance schedule on the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars, Ballando con le stelle. 

When someone splits up with their partner, it becomes more difficult to move up the ranks in dance competitions. Judges generally mark more established partnerships such as Bryan Watson and Carmen or Joanna Leunis and Michal higher than new couples. It makes sense on one level, as their partnership is not as strong yet, but I think sometimes some newer couples are marked lower because of political reasons.

I wish them both success in their future dance careers. I was truly moved by their performance at the World Superstars Dance, so I will post that again.

Real reason for Franco and Oxana's breakup?

Franco Formica and Oxana

Photo Credit: Thomas Morton 

Earlier I had speculated that Franco and Oxana broke up because Oxana wanted to dance with her husband, Ilia Russo but according to some rumors the actual reason that Franco and Oxana broke up was that Franco was pretty disappointed with their 4th place finish at the World Champions in 2011. It looks like after their breakup in May, Oxana may have convinced her husband to split up with his partner to partner her instead.

I don't know if this is true, but looking at Franco's face after the results of their 4th place finish, he looks very unhappy.  He's definitely not smiling. (7:46)Considering the pair was ranked 3rd in the world and consistently beat Sergey Surkov and Melia in competitions I can see why.

Please note that this is just a rumor, the only people that really know why they split is them, but I am sharing with you guys because I think there may be truth to it.

No surprise here... Ilia Russo and and his wife Oxana Lebedew will dance together!

Looks like we finally may have an idea of as to why former top pair Franco Formica and Oxana Lebedew split up. The rumor is that they had conflict over their 4th place finish at the World Championships in 2011.

Oxana Lebedew will be dancing with her husband, Ilia Russo, who also split with his partner around the same time. I wish the pair good luck in the future.

Ilia and Oxana Russo

I truly hope that Franco, one of my all-time favorite dancers returns to the dance floor. The man is so talented and I adore his dancing.

Someone finally posted some of the good quality videos of World Superstars Dance Festival 2011 on youtube.

Franco looks like he's dancing at WSD like it might be his last time performing there...especially during the samba at the end!

Another memorable performance was Stefano di Fillipo and Olga Urumova's very emotional rumba with Mikee Intron's wondeful live vocals to "Ma Che Ne So"! He sounded amazing live.


What a show! Hopefully one day I will get a chance to see it in person.

Happy New Year everyone!