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."
Dancing with the Stars’ runner-up team, Mario Lopez, 33, and Karina Smirnoff are officially real-life partners as well. On November 26, the pair jetted to Punta Mita for a five-day escape at Casa Armara, the luxury estate owned by Girls Gone Wild entrepreneur Joe Francis. Their agenda: plenty of PDA. During a quick dip “she wrapped her legs around him, and they kissed for what seemed like ever,” says an onlooker of their beach frolics. “She was giggling and a little bit shy as he kissed her butt. Mario didn’t care and kept kissing her.” “We just happened to click,” Lopez told Us recently. “We make each other laugh…I’ve got nothing but love for her.” What about their dynamic off the dance floor? Says a Lopez pal, “She bosses him around – and he loves it!”
Just hours before tonight’s taping of "Dancing with the Stars," TMZ has learned that Mario Lopez’s partner, Karina Smirnoff, has suffered an injury on the set. While reps for the show are denying that any incident has occured, sources inside CBS Television Studios, where the show is taped, tell TMZ that medics were rushed to the scene to treat an injury to Smirnoff’s back. No word on who Lopez will dance with in the case that Smirnoff will not be able to participate in tonight’s live broadcast. Lopez will no doubt be at a disadvantage without his partner, and with reports of a romance blossoming between the two, his mind will most certainly be distracted from tonight’s routine.
TMZ just spoke with Mario Lopez, who confirmed his dancing partner injured herself today, just hours before "Dancing With the Stars" airs live on ABC. Lopez says Karina Smirnoff "hurt her back and neck in rehearsal" and doctors were summoned to the set. Lopez says Smirnoff is in pain, adding, "I hope she pulls it together. I’m nervous." And a source on the set says at around 7:00 PM Eastern time, Katrina was back rehearsing.
This is tough one, but after seeing Mario’s abs and butt unclothed I have to go with Nip/Tuck. But then again I think how amazing his body must look after all this dancing I might have to go with DWTS3. Ugh!
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."
Dancing with the Stars’ runner-up team, Mario Lopez, 33, and Karina Smirnoff are officially real-life partners as well. On November 26, the pair jetted to Punta Mita for a five-day escape at Casa Armara, the luxury estate owned by Girls Gone Wild entrepreneur Joe Francis. Their agenda: plenty of PDA. During a quick dip “she wrapped her legs around him, and they kissed for what seemed like ever,” says an onlooker of their beach frolics. “She was giggling and a little bit shy as he kissed her butt. Mario didn’t care and kept kissing her.” “We just happened to click,” Lopez told Us recently. “We make each other laugh…I’ve got nothing but love for her.” What about their dynamic off the dance floor? Says a Lopez pal, “She bosses him around – and he loves it!”
