Main points
- Liliana Yama, Vlad Yama's wife, lives and works in the USA, where she dances with her family.
- Vlad Yama left Ukraine during the war and stayed with his family abroad, in particular in the United States, where he was spotted in the company of Russians at events.
Liliana Yama / Collage of Channel 24
Liliana is the wife of Vlad Yama, who left Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale war. Today, February 18, the woman celebrates her birthday.
- 1 Dance career
- 2 Family life with Vlad Yama
- 3 Departure from Ukraine and refugee status
- 4 Where is Liliana Yama now?
24 Channel tells what is known about the former Dancing with the Stars judge's lover and where she is now.
Dance career
Liliana's maiden name is Kudlai. She is originally from Zaporizhzhia. She was fond of dancing as a child, which later developed into a professional career. Her parents sent their daughter to a dance studio, and during her school years Liliana participated in various competitions and festivals.
After graduating from school, she went to Kyiv, where she studied at one of the universities, but she did not leave dancing.
Liliana Yama / Photo from Instagram
In parallel with her dancing activities, she developed her own business. She opened a beauty studio in the capital. In 2007, at one of the events, she met Vlad Yama.
Family life with Vlad Yama
The choreographer recalled that when he saw Liliana for the first time, he was afraid to approach her. However, he finally dared, and they danced until the morning.
Interestingly, the woman later recalled that at the time of their meeting she did not know that Vlad was very popular.
They had a relationship that lasted two years, and then broke up. Yama said that the reason was his rapid popularity and his reluctance to reveal his lover's name publicly.
Vlad and Liliana Yama / Photo from Instagram
After that, the dancer went abroad to make this period easier for herself. Two months after the separation, her husband realized that he could not live without her and decided to return his beloved.
The couple dated for another five years before getting married. Yama didn't propose because he was worried that his popularity with the female audience would decline. He later said that marriage wouldn't change anything.
But the choreographer nevertheless decided to take this step. On New Year's Eve, he proposed to the woman, but Liliana's first response was that she would think about it. Later, she did agree to marry Yama.
The wedding of Vlad and Liliana Yama / Photo from Instagram
A year after the wedding, their son Leon was born.
Vlad Yama with his family / Photo from Instagram
Departure from Ukraine and refugee status
The choreographer said that on February 24, 2022, he was in Ukraine and was involved in evacuating his parents from Zaporizhia. Later, he and his family were in Europe, and from there they went to the United States. However, how he managed to leave Ukraine remains an open question.
Across the ocean, Liliana and Vlad continue to dance. On social networks, the dancer wrote that his country is being destroyed, but the main thing for him is that his family is safe. He thanked the Armed Forces of Ukraine and noted that he respects the defenders.
Liliana herself decided to communicate with her followers via Instagram Stories in September 2022. The woman was asked why her husband did not ensure the safety of his family abroad, and did not return to Ukraine himself to defend the country from the Russian occupier.
Yama replied that she was grateful to her husband that they were safe now and wrote meaninglessly about “her reasons” and added that she “respects everyone's choice.”
It's a personal matter for everyone. Everyone has different stories and reasons. Everyone experiences war in their own way,
– wrote Vlad Yama's wife.
Vlad Yama with his wife / Photo from Instagram
At the end, she said that they were “helping on their own front.”
Liliana Yama about leaving for the USA / Screenshot from Instagram stories
But let's note that Vlad Yam has been spotted in the company of Russians on several occasions. First, he worked in a dance studio with Russians, and in 2024, he was spotted at a “Russian party” in Chicago.
Where is Liliana Yama now?
The woman continues to live and work in the USA. She often arranges photo shoots and travels.
In December 2025, the family's parents arrived in Miami from Ukraine.
We haven't seen each other for 4 years. Finally we'll hug,
– Liliana wrote then.
Vlad Yama with his wife and parents / Photo from the dancer's Instagram
Also find out which other famous men left Ukraine and never returned.