Mario Lopez and Ali Landry

[BobbyD 2]

TRAINED TOES

 

MARIO Lopez, the front-runner on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," fibbed when he said on the show that he had no dance training. A former dance partner from his days at the School of Creative & Performing Arts in San Diego told us: "We competed in and won several Southern California dance competitions. There's video. He's been in dance training since he was about 5 years old." In addition, IMDb.com reveals that Lopez was a backup dancer on "Kids Incorporated" before he was the mullet-sporting heartthrob on "Saved by the Bell." His rep said Lopez had done hip-hop dancing but had no "formal ballroom training."

[BobbyD 2]

Dancing's Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff Getting Cozier

By Cary Cardwell

 

 

While Mario Lopez and his Dancing with the Stars partner Karina Smirnoff are still playing coy about a rumored romance, the show's runner-up couple are spending a Mexico vacation together after celebrating Thanksgiving with Lopez's sister in Houston.

 

"We're definitely overdue for a break," Lopez, 33, told PEOPLE while sitting knee-to-knee with Smirnoff during a celebrity stopover in San Antonio's Club Posh. "I want to take a little time off, go to Mexico."

 

By Sunday the partners were heading south of the border, a source close to Lopez confirmed to PEOPLE.

 

Lopez called his connection to the Ukrainian-born Smirnoff, who is recognized as a world-class Latin-style dancer, "a very special relationship."

 

"It's very flattering when people want to see us together and like to see us be together," he said about the romantic sparks that viewers saw as the two sambaed their way to a second-place finish this month on Dancing (Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke won the competition). "We're great friends and very supportive of each other."

 

Lopez and Smirnoff arrived in San Antonio on Friday night, and on Saturday greeted thousands of fans.

 

Their appearance was on behalf of the charity Any Baby Can, a non-profit organization that benefits severely disabled children. Lopez agreed to participate after one of his friends told him about her own disabled child who had been helped by the organization for eight years.

 

The charitable work also likely gave Lopez a chance to relax a bit: His last weekend was spent in Las Vegas – partying with Britney Spears.

[CeCeLadybug 0]

Television star Mario Lopez has been tapped to host the 2007 Miss America Pageant, airing live from The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 29, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT. Sarah Brock, CMT executive producer and vice president, production, music and events, notes: "Mario Lopez is a fantastic choice to host the 2007 Miss America Pageant. With his soaring popularity, his former hosting experience and his undeniable charm, he will certainly excel as this year’s host." Sam Haskell III, chairman of the board for the Miss America Organization, adds: "We are pleased that immediately following his successful star turn on Dancing With the Stars, Mario Lopez has agreed to host the Pageant. Our executive producers Sarah Brock and Don Mischer did an outstanding job securing Mario, and we are honored to welcome him into the Miss America family."

 

Starpulse

[sanlee 49]

Some Breaking Mario Lopez News

 

 

Yes, you know you're grasping at straws when you find yourself writing about Mario Lopez and calling it "celebrity gossip." From The ShowBuzz:

 

Mario Lopez will host this year's Miss America pageant in Las Vegas, event organizers said Wednesday.

"I'm honored. I think it's going to be great," Lopez told The Associated Press from Los Angeles prior to the announcement by Country Music Television Inc.'s officials in Nashville, Tenn. The pageant will air Jan. 29 from the Aladdin Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Until the next chronicle in Screech's sex-tape escapades emerges, I'll just be here waiting.

 

 

 

Mario Lopez To Host Miss America Pageant [The ShowBuzz]

[BobbyD 2]

Reuters News

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lopez, Milian pair up for "Eight" on CW

 

Mario Lopez, hot off his stint on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," will co-star with R&B singer Christina Milian in the CW comedy pilot "Eight Days a Week."

 

The project revolves around four twentysomethings who work under the top movers and shakers in New York.

 

Lopez will play one of the bosses, an impeccably dressed wunderkind with a cell phone attached to his ear. Milian will play one of the assistants, a beautiful, young woman who left behind a law career to start over as a receptionist/gofer at an art gallery.

 

Additionally, Johnny Lewis will play another assistant, a struggling rock musician who works for a big-name rock-band publicist. Robert Ri'chard will play Lopez's character's assistant, a BlackBerry-wielding go-getter.

 

Lopez recently joined entertainment newsmagazine "Extra" as co-host/correspondent, and hosted the 2007 Miss America Pageant. Milian has appeared in such features as "Torque," "Man of the House" and "Be Cool."

 

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

[leaivory 2]

Panty Creamer Of The Day: Mario Lopez

 

 

Oh hell yes. This is just what I need to end the week. Slater is looking better than ever. Who's that twinkie with him? He better step off! Just kidding. Save your e-mails.

 

Here's Slater jogging on the beach on 7/18. I don't see much of a package which is a wee (pun intended) bit disappointing.

 

 

http://www.dlisted.com/

[MissuTam 85]

I don't see it...he doesn't do it for me . He always seems to be smirking...sort of like Bush.

[Freckles 79]

Ugh. he doesn't do it for me. Thick neck. Oily hair. I'd kick him outta bed for eating crackers.

[Beeyotch 0]

He does nothing for me either. He seems like a womanizing, smug-looking, overmuscled meathead who thinks much too highly of himself. But also because he looks like he might be related to me.

[leaivory 2]

LOL. Come on, girls. You have to remember that it was DListed's Michael K that was doing the drooling there and, well, his standards aren't too high when it comes to celebrities on his "I would tap that" list.

[Lea 0]

Mario Lopez To Do Broadway, Soccer Moms Across America Sigh Dreamily

 

 

After a successful stint on "Dancing with the Stars," on which he ended up being a finalist, Mario's ready to dust off his dance moves and hit the Broadway stage. According to Mario, "Every actor dreams about appearing on a Broadway stage. I have as well, and have been searching for the right time and opportunity."

 

The tiny dimpled one is therefore taking his exuberant self to the stage and taking on the role of Zach in "A Chorus Line." His run will start April 15th at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. It's Mario's Broadway debut and he's so ecstatic! Yay! It's even evoking a fist-pump in the air from Mr. Lopez.

 

 

http://socialitelife.buzznet.com/

[ElleDriver 0]

Lopez headed for Broadway

By Herald wire services

Thursday, March 6, 2008

 

 

Mario Lopez’s days on “Dancing with the Stars” has paid off, People.com reported. The Season Three finalist is stepping into the Broadway revival of the classic musical “A Chorus Line,” the show’s producers announced. The former “Saved by the Bell” guy will make his debut on April 15 in the non-singing role of the show’s director, Zach. But he will have to perfect those world famous high-kicks, as Zach teaches his dancing charges their routines. “Every actor dreams about appearing on a Broadway stage,” Lopez, 35, gushed. “I have as well, and have been searching for the right time and opportunity.” Lopez is committed to the musical through Sept. 7.

[Lea 0]

I'm Telling Tony

 

 

Mario Lopez took his friend, Eva LongWHORIA, out to lunch yesterday and presented her with a Cartier necklace for her 55th Birthday. That bitch isn't worth it! I hope Mario pulled a fast one on her and bought that necklace at Claire's, but put it in a Cartier box. She wouldn't know the difference.

 

I also can't stand Eva's laugh. I can hear it through the pictures. It sounds like one of those cackling witch dolls. I bet she snorts out mocos when she cackles.

 

She's just doing this shit in public, because she wants Tony to get jealous. Methinks he's too busy screwing other hos!

 

 

http://www.dlisted.com/

[BobbyD 2]

Karina Smirnoff Brushes Off Rumors of Romance With Mario

March 28, 2008

 

 

Dancing with the Stars pro Karina Smirnoff is brushing off rumors of a romance with her partner, R&B singer Mario.

 

The New York Post’s Page Six reports Smirnoff — who has been dating her former DWTS partner Mario Lopez — was spotted kissing the other Mario at a Mercedes-Benz Oscar viewing party at Four Seasons hotel in Los Angeles in February.

 

But Smirnoff is laughing off the speculation. “I told you to keep it on the DL, dude,” she joked with Mario when asked about the rumors by PEOPLE after Monday’s show. Continued Smirnoff: “Did you keep that window open? By the end of the show, I will be pregnant with Mario’s baby!”

 

Mario, 21, added of Smirnoff, 30, “I love this woman! I love her personality! I’ve grown to love the person that she is, and you should feel that way about your partner!” Responded Smirnoff: “Is that all it is?”

 

A rep for Mario (the singer) says: “They’re not dating.”

 

And a source close to both of the dance partners says that Smirnoff’s relationship with Mario Lopez, 34, is still going strong. “They’re totally boyfriend and girlfriend,” the source tells PEOPLE. “They went out to Eva Longoria’s restaurant [beso] opening together.”

 

Instead, the source attributes the romance rumors to the dance partners’ chemistry. Says the source: “They have fun together.” –Brian Orloff, Reagan Alexander and Tiffany McGee

 

 

Rebecca Sapp/WireImage

[sanlee 49]

Mario Lopez Says Mario is ‘Respectful’ of His Girlfriend

 

 

It wasn’t exactly a love-fest — more like a respect-off — when Mario Lopez and R&B singer Mario, a contestant on the current season of Dancing with the Stars, got on the phone to speak with Ryan Seacrest on his On Air radio show.

 

Singer Mario, who’s been steaming up the ballroom with Lopez’s girlfriend Karina Smirnoff, but denying rumors of a romance, had plenty of kind words for the former Saved By the Bell star.

 

“We kicked it a few times. Mario’s a cool guy,” he said. “We have similar interests. I like boxing and he likes boxing.”

 

But don’t expect them to spar anytime soon. While Lopez pal Seacrest acknowledged that chemistry in the ballroom is important, but made it clear that he had his friend’s back and warned the singer that he may be getting dangerously close to crossing a line, Lopez was a little more understanding.

 

In fact, Lopez said he liked Mario and respects the singer’s dance floor determination. “The dances are all characters and telling a story,” he told Seacrest while Mario was on the line. “I’m really proud of him. He’s a great guy. Really respectful.”

 

Lopez went on to say that he didn’t feel the same about his girlfriend’s last DWTS partner, boxer Floyd Mayweather, calling the heavyweight “a handful.”

 

And what does Lopez thing of Mario and Smirnoff’s chances of winning the competition? “They’re going all the way,” he said.

 

Source: People

[ElleDriver 0]

Mario Lopez: Karina Smirnoff Affair Rumors Are "Funny"

Monday April 14, 2008

 

 

When rumors swirled that his girlfriend Karina Smirnoff was having a fling with her DWTS partner, R&B singer Mario, Mario Lopez couldn't help but chuckle.

 

"People make up crazy stuff," he told Usmagazine.com at the International Vision Expo in NYC on Sunday. "I thought it was funny.

 

"I know the nature of the business and people talk," he added. "It’s funny because those rumors always tend come up during the season."

 

(In the new issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now — Mario, the R&B singer, and Smirnoff also deny romance rumors. They may not have hooked up, but click here to see other surprising couples who've dated.)

 

Keeping Lopez from dwelling on those affair rumors? Prepping for his Broadway debut in A Chorus Line!

 

The former DWTS contestant said it is harder than competing on the hit ABC show.

 

"It’s more like a marathon in the sense that you know it’s going to

be eight performances a week," he told Us. "It’s an intense couple of hours."

[ElleDriver 0]

Mario Lopez, choosing book tour over love?

The Scoop

 

It’s been a busy few months for Mario Lopez — he’s joined the cast of “A Chorus Line” on Broadway, and on May 13, his new book “Knockout Fitness” will be released. His budding book career, though, might be the last straw for Karina Smirnoff, says a source close to the couple. “He’s so focused on all of his work right now and he just doesn’t have patience for any of the drama at the moment. It’s making Karina nervous and it’s going to be tough going for them,” says the source. “Hopefully they can patch things up.”

 

Lopez’s book is his first. It’s described as “a diverse exercise regimen that brings together sweat, discipline and excitement and includes some of Mario’s favorite activities: boxing, running, biking, dancing, yoga, basketball and swimming, so one never gets tired of doing the same thing.”

[ElleDriver 0]

Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff Split

 

 

Mario Lopez and Dancing with the Stars pro dancer Karina Smirnoff have recently split, a source confirms to PEOPLE.

 

The couple, who met during Dancing’s third season, never publicly acknowledged their relationship despite the fact that the pair were living together in Lopez’s Los Angeles home. A source tells PEOPLE Smirnoff is moving out of Lopez’s digs.

 

Smirnoff, who is now competing on Dancing’s sixth season with R&B star Mario, has been spotted recently with E! Entertainment personality Michael Yo. The two were seen dancing and canoodling at a recent event at Hollywood eatery Beso.

 

Lopez, meanwhile, is starring in A Chorus Line on Broadway, and recently returned to the ballroom with 18 Chorus Line dancers to tape a synchronized number to air on Dancing’s 100th episode on May 6. He’s also about to embark on a national tour to promote his upcoming book, Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness.

[sanlee 49]

Mario Lopez Blames Britney for Split Rumors

 

Last week, Mario Lopez faced a storm of media attention when one website felt compelled to write a story claiming that the former Saved By the Bell star had split from his gal-pal, Dancing With the Stars pro Karina Smirnoff. Turns out the rumor wasn't all it was cracked up to be — and Mario says that Britney Spears is somehow to blame!

 

"See what happens when Britney starts behaving?" he joked to the NY Daily News. "People start making up all kinds of things."

 

Mario also told the paper that he and Karina aren't just not broken up — he's even taken her to meet his mom, not a step he takes lightly. "I learned a long time ago that I only introduce them to mom if they are going to be around for a while," he explains.

 

It's been a long few months for Mario and Karina, who have not only had to weather false reports of a split — but also that she was high-stepping out on her man with new dance partner, the one-named pop star Mario.

 

Additionally, Lopez recently talked to OK! to shoot down reports that he was somehow involved with socialite Phoebe Price. "I don't even know who that is!" he laughed.

 

Source: ok-magazine.com

[princess 1,712]

 

Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff Split

June 5, 2008

people.com

 

Karina Smirnoff and Mario Lopez have called it quits, Smirnoff’s rep confirms to PEOPLE.

 

“Karina has parted ways with her two year relationship with Mario Lopez,” says Smirnoff’s spokesperson. “The relationship wasn’t heading in the right direction.”

 

Lopez issued the following statement through his rep: “Karina and I have the utmost respect for each other. She is a phenomenal and talented woman. I support her always and feel blessed to have her in my life.”

 

The on-again, off-again couple–spotted frolicking in Miami last month– began dating in 2006 when they were partnered together on the third season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

 

Though they remained mum about their relationship, they were spotted vacationing in Mexico together shortly after coming in second on the hit reality dance competition. The following May, Lopez, 34, and the Ukrainian-born Smirnoff moved in together.

 

In April, Smirnoff shot down reports of a breakup, telling PEOPLE, “We are going strong.” –Paul Chi, with reporting by KC Baker and Antoinette Coulton

[virginia4 0]

Good. Now we don't have to hear about them anymore.

[BobbyD 2]

Pop Tarts: Did Mario Lopez Cheat on Karina Smirnoff With Reality Star?

Friday, June 13, 2008

By Hollie McKay

AP

 

LOS ANGELES — Last week, "Dancing With the Stars" sweethearts Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff officially announced that they had split — and we’re told it was in large part because of Lopez's alleged wandering ways.

 

Lopez has been linked to a 22-year-old bartender from San Antonio, Texas, named Meaghan Cooper, whom he apparently first met four years ago through a mutual friend. But the two were reunited last summer, when Lopez was in San Antonio for a public appearance.

 

Cooper told Pop Tarts this week that she and Lopez have been dating on and off for the past 11 months and that when she questioned him about his very public relationship with Karina, he insisted that they were broken up and only in contact due to dancing commitments.

 

Pictures of the pair partying together emerged last June and also appeared on Cooper's personal MySpace page, but she claims they were removed at Lopez's request.

 

Cooper is an aspiring actress/singer and recently wrapped filming of the ABC reality show "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" in Tokyo, which is set to premiere on June 24.

 

"After I returned from filming he started acting really weird," she said. "Right now we aren't talking, and I won't return his calls."

 

A rep for Lopez declined to comment. Another source close to his camp didn't want to confirm or deny the reports to avoid giving Cooper any more attention.

 

A rep for Smirnoff said that this is obviously a difficult time for her but she is focusing on some very exciting opportunities in her professional life and dealing with the situation as best she can.

[pitt-lover 0]

Cad.

[Cutielb99 0]

PEOPLE's Hottest Bachelor Mario Lopez Talks Dating

Originally posted Wednesday June 18, 2008 09:00 AM EDT

 

Mario Lopez may be PEOPLE's Hottest Bachelor – but the former A Chorus Line star and fitness buff has a shocking admission: He was a chubby baby. "I looked like a sumo wrestler," Lopez says in a new interview. "My mom had to pull the fat folds apart when she bathed me!" But that's all in his past.

 

As fans know, Lopez's has mined his love of fitness to create his own book, Mario Lopez's Knockout Fitness. The exercise guru, who is recently single, says that a full slate of projects has kept him off the dating market but that hasn't stopped him from thinking about dating completely.

 

"I like a girl who's from a modest sort of upbringing, because it's more relatable," he says, explaining what he looks for in a potential girlfriend. "I'm a first-generation American. My parents [Elvia and Mario Sr.] emigrated from Mexico and live in the same house I grew up in Chula Vista, Calif. I'd feel weird if the girl was a little too uppity or affluent, because I'm a very down-home kind of guy."

 

For the lucky ladies who do manage to snag a date, expect to be flexible. "I like to go to a place in Koreatown in L.A. where they have private karaoke," he says of his favorite date activity. "It's a great place to bring a girl and see how she reacts. If she rolls with the punches and has a good time, then I'm like, 'All right, this girl is cool!'"

[galaxygirl 0]

Hottest bachelor, really?