The Dirt: Karina Smirnoff

You would think that being ranked second in the world and having five U.S. titles under your belt would be satisfying enough—but not for sizzlin’ hot Latin dancer Karina Smirnoff. This ballroom bombshell not only knows how to tear it up on the dance floor, but she can also hold her own in the classroom. After graduating from high school, she put her dancing career on hold and earned a degree from Fordham University. Talk about beauty and brains!

 

 

Karina appeared as a professional on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” for six seasons, where she danced her way into the top five with three different celebrities (Mario Lopez, Billy Ray Cyrus and singer Mario). Most recently, Karina and her hunky fiancé, Maksim Chmerkovskiy (also a “DWTS” regular), were partnered in the ballroom Broadway sensation, [ital: Burn the Floor]. Someone had better pull the fire alarm, because Karina is definitely turning up the heat! —Michael Anne Bailey

 

 

 

Log On!

 

Check out these videos at dancespirit.com//videos:

 

• The Best Leo for Your Bod:
  Watch Broadway Dance Center’s summer interns model the hottest leotard looks for every body type.

 

• Award-Winning Trends:
  From NYC to Texas, and everywhere in between, DS scoured the Nationals scene to find out what’s hot this year.

 

• Kick Up Your Cardio:
  Watch former DS intern Monica Levy demonstrate dancer-specific cardio moves designed to get your heart pumping.

 

• Gettin’ Ganky with It:
  This new dance style is popping up everywhere, from comp routines to reality TV. Watch dancer Jessica Lee work it in a routine choreographed by Derek Mitchell.

 

When you’re done watching these videos, upload your own in the Dance Spirit Cover Model Search, Future Star and Video of the Month contests!

 

 

Photo by Joan Marcus