DWTS News!
Karina Smirnoff posing for Playboy magazine a true rumor?
[Apr. 10]
As if the name Smirnoff does not already evoke a sense of wicked lifestyle and debutant debauchery, Karina Smirnoff (no relation to the vodka brand) from the 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars will be featured in the May issue of Playboy magazine, People magazine reports. But it could be hot water for the dancing career of the Ukrainian hottie, who dances with celebrity actor Ralph Macchio, the original Karate Kid, say sources.
“If Karina posed [without her clothes on for Playboy magazine], she can kiss her dancing days goodbye,” a ‘DWTS’ insider told PopEater‘s Rob Shuter immediately after hearing of Playboy chief Hugh Hefner‘s announcement on Twitter. “I hope for Karina’s sake that this isn’t true.”
Well, it is too late it seems, if People Magazine is to be believed. The entertainment journal and its relates sources are all quoting the DWTS professional dancer beauty and saying:
“I’m fearless and love the adrenaline rush,” the dancing pro, 32, tells Playboy, underscoring the point by posing nude in the May issue.
“The May issue of Playboy is unforgettable with Dancing With The Stars’ Karina Smirnoff on the cover and nude inside,” Hefner tweeted on Wednesday.
Reports PopEater:
“ABC publicity department control the image of this show with an iron fist. It’s a cash cow and they are not going to allow its reputation to be soiled by a dancer who wants to do Playboy,” an ABC source added.
“Just a few weeks ago, ABC PR stopped [the show’s host] Tom Bergeron from doing a live webcast with an outlet they didn’t approve of. I can only imagine is going on right now after Hef’s tweet.”
However, others say there’s nothing to the rumor that posing in Playboy magazine will kill (rather than augment) her DWTS career.
After all, Karina is not the only Dancing with the Stars contestant to be featured in Playboy. Kendra Wilkinson is a former Playboy model and was formerly Hugh Hefner’s girlfriend. So far Karina Smirnoff has been highly successful on Dancing with the Stars while paired with Karate Kid actor Ralph Macchio, who is considered a forntrunner in the competition.
Perhaps the rumors are untrue and ABC is aware of Karina Smirnoff’s Playboy shoot. However, it could also be the case that ABC saw former Playmate Kendra Wilkinson as a fair choice since she already had distanced herself from Playboy and Hugh Hefner in 2009 before appearing on Dancing with the Stars.
From RadarOnline:
The 33-year-old Russian dancer is a five-time U.S. National Champion and has been ranked second in the world, but this is her first time posing for Playboy.
Let’s hope ABC doesn’t nix this super-talented and gorgeous dancer in a misguided attempt at preserving wholesome television program. But whatever the case, it’s sure to be a fiery number between new Playmate Karina Smirnoff and Ralph Macchio on the upcoming episode of Dancing with the Stars.
Karina Smirnoff is a green celebrity who has perfromed various dance routines at charity benefits to help raise money for special interest causes. An advocate for health and fitness, Karina is also proud to be a role model for strong women — and hopes taking off her clothes on camera will promote… we guess… women everywhere loving their bodies?
Oh well — if she flops, at least she will have all the male DWTS fans loving her body thanks to her fan Hugh Hefner.
Watch Dancing with the Stars on Monday and Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC — we do. Even if the stars are not nakie.