Flying High with Mario Lopez
Monday, April 21st, 2008
Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Extra
NEW YORK - APRIL 20: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS) Mario Lopez makes pre-boarding anouncement before Jet Blue flight during the ‘Extra’ takes Mario Lopez and cast of ‘A Chorus Line’ to L.A. on April 20, 2008 in New York City.
The other day I was fortunate enough to board a Jet Blue flight with Mario Lopez and the cast of A Chorus Line. We were headed to LA (from NYC) so Mario and friends could make a guest appearance on Dancing with the Stars. The television show “Extra” was also on the flight, filming his every move for their exclusive, behind-the-scenes feature. I was tagging along as the exclusive photographer of the weekend, shooting everything from the flight over there to the post-party at the end.
Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Extra
The best part of the trip for me was hanging out with the dancers. Their energy and enthusiasm is contagious! Everyone was very friendly and they all had really interesting and different senses of humor. Their biggest focus - how to get off the plane. What kind of entrance should a Broadway cast make at an airport? An energetic, choreographed one of course!
Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Extra
Mario surprised other travelers on the plane (some excited, some not so excited) when he showed off his airline steward skills during the pre-flight announcements.
It was going to be a long trip for Mario and he kept his energy level up by eating small snacks throughout the day. When we landed, I watched impressed as he handled media interviews and recorded segments for Extra with very little prep. It was clear that he is a natural in front of the camera.
He was also a natural in dealing with the attention from his lady fans. He smiled for every picture, gave everyone an autograph and was very gracious to the calls of “true love” he received.
Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Extra
Thank you to Mario and the cast of A Chorus Line for this wonderful adventure. It was a flight like no other…
Don’t miss Mario on Dancing with the Stars tonight and his segment on Extra will be airing later this week.