Mario on Dancing Partner Karina: ‘We Just Click’

March 24, 2008

Dancing with the Stars pro Karina Smirnoff has to be asking, “What’s a in a name?” Season 6 is only a week old, but fans are already looking at the second pairing of a Mario and Karina (the first being her boyfriend, and season 3 runner-up, Mario Lopez) as one of the couples to watch in the ballroom. The R&B star certainly looked like a Super Mario Tuesday, wowing the judges with a spicy cha cha cha on the opening night of competition and looking very cozy with Karina. PEOPLE caught up with the flirtatious frontrunner to find out about the chemistry in the ballroom, what the other Mario thinks about it and who he sees as his biggest competition. –Jonathan Stern

Why do you think you and Karina have such wonderful chemistry together?
The cha cha is a very flirtatious dance, and that’s what we tried to give them. Karina’s a great teacher, a beautiful girl, and we just click. Her love and passion for dance is as strong as mine is for singing, so I understand her in that sense.

How does Mario Lopez feel about you taking his girl for a whirl?
I don’t know what’s going on between them. I’m out of the loop. But I saw him in the building and we talked. He didn’t seem any type of way about it.

You look super friendly on the floor, but we hear there is some frustration in the rehearsal studio?
Sometimes Karina can get really loud and demanding and I don’t take that too well. I know she’s doing it with good intentions so I just try to be a good partner. She already knows the dance so I have to get there with her and learn it.

Who looks to be your biggest competition this season?
Jason Taylor. I was expecting him to be stiff as a wall. And Kristi Yamaguchi is a force to be reckoned with. I think [ballroom dancing] is more convenient for her than it is for me, just because of her experience [as a figure skater]. I’m not taking anything away from her because I think she did an incredible job. Triple nine is a great score. She’s gotta keep coming with it.

What are you going to be performing next?
Mario and Karina are dancing the quick step. It’s very hard. There’s lot of motion in the ocean. It’s almost like riding a wave. I have to be the glass and Karina is the water.

Rebecca Sapp/WireImage

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Scary March 24th, 2008

Mario’s got a great upper body build. His hip hop dancing will definitely help him. I think he’s one to watch out for.

Holly March 24th, 2008

How long until the rumors start? Mario #2 sounds a tad snippy about Mario #1.

abd. March 24th, 2008

Mario sucks! =)

LORRAINE March 24th, 2008

I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHY ALL THESE DANCERS ARE BASICALLY HOOKING UP WITH THESE STARS, IS THIS THE DATING GAME OR DANCING WITH THE STARS. I WISH THESE PEOPLE WOULD JUST ACT PROFESSIONAL.

Ash March 24th, 2008

Go Mario!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rebecca March 24th, 2008

Why do people always assume that people are hooking up or secretly dating? C’mon people. If these were regular, everyday people no one would raise their eyebrows. Get a life. We’re out of high school.

MM March 24th, 2008

I hope he does great.

helen March 24th, 2008

Mario is muy caliente!

Ashley March 24th, 2008

I think Mario is the best! I love him as a singer, he’s one of my favorites. I was very excited to hear that he would be in the show this season! As for the chemistry between he and Karina - 1) She’s a hot girl and she moves well,and she’s a performer. 2) he’s an attractive guy, young, AND a performer. So they’re gonna give the audience what they wanna see. And, when you put two good looking people together, there will be rumors and maybe even some sexual tension…it’s gonna happen. I don’t think Mario Lopez has a problem with the two of them having such chemistry. After all, Look at him Plus, Mario is young, she’s not worried about him!!