Karina Smirnoff Talks Mario, Tears Up on Chelsea

Mon., Jun. 16, 2008 5:37 PM PDT by

Karina Smirnoff sat down with E!'s Chelsea Handler Monday for an appearance on tonight's Chelsea Lately.

In the interview, which will air in its entirety on tonight's show, Smirnoff spoke for the first time about her split with Mario Lopez and about an E! News report in which Hooters model Meaghan Cooper claims Mario cheated on Smirnoff with her.

What did she have to say? You might be surprised...

When asked by Chelsea how she was holding up in the wake of news that "some girl who works at Hooters" was claiming Mario cheated, Smirnoff, who was choking back tears, replied: "You know, I am okay now. I was little bit upset earlier. But there is no easy way to break up, and, especially when you're in the public eye, it's that much harder. But, you know, it could be worse. It could be Divine Brown [the prostitute caught with Hugh Grant]. But, again, it's not that bad."

To lighten up the emotional moment, Chelsea suggested it might be worse if he had cheated on her with another guy. Smirnoff replied, "Yeah, that would have been worse."

Smirnoff, who just got back from a vacation to the Bahamas and Las Vegas, was on the show to promote an exercise DVD.

And for inquiring minds who want to know, Chelsea asked Smirnoff about reports she was romantic with E!'s Michael Yo. "Michael and I are great friends," Smirnoff said. "He has been consoling me through all of this. I think the world of him."

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