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"DWTS" Dancer Only Marches for Dimes

Posted Feb 1st 2009 10:20AM by TMZ Staff

Karina SmirnoffKarina Smirnoff is a great dancer, but her performance lacks a certain sense of humility and charity.

The "Dancing With The Stars" Star (?) is suing a restaurant for not paying her fee at a March of Dimes benefit last month.

Smirnoff, who lightly brushed her 15 minutes of fame on the show, is suing Panchito's Restaurant in San Antonio for 6k after they neglected to pay her "appearance fee."

Smirnoff's lawyer told KSAT news the Mexican joint claimed it made no money on the event so it just couldn't pay her. The restaurant reportedly claims it never agreed to pay her squat.

Come on guys ... there's gotta be some loose change around there somewhere.

UPDATE: 3:22 PM ET:

Karina's rep contacted TMZ and said there was never any mention this was a March of Dimes event. But we just spoke with James Gonzaba, the General Manager of Panchito's Restaurant, who said his people were contacted by Jimmy Villereal, who claimed he managed Karina ... that Villereal asked if the restaurant would host a March of Dimes event that Karina would appear at.

Gonzaba says Villereal asked for money for Karina's appearance, but the restaurant made it clear -- they couldn't afford to pay anything to her, so there was no deal -- they merely hosted the event and were shocked when she demanded a fee after the fact.

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Tags: Dancing with the Stars, DancingWithTheStars, DWTS, James Gonzaba, JamesGonzaba, Jimmy Villereal, JimmyVillereal, karina smirnoff, KarinaSmirnoff, March of Dimes, MarchOfDimes, Panchitos Restaurant, PanchitosRestaurant

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(Page 1 of 2) | 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Who the hell charges the 'non-profit' Marches for Dimes?

Posted at 10:59AM on Feb 1st 2009 by eat

2. I saw her at a wedding at The Narnia Estate in suburban Chicago last summer....she looked pretty good

Posted at 10:58AM on Feb 1st 2009 by jsb829

3. hi im micheal flatly im irish ya know ,give this girl a break shes an f**king brilliant danca i tell ya,im from galway by da way im a f***king brilliant breakdanca too holla yall??????????

Posted at 11:06AM on Feb 1st 2009 by 2pac4life

4. Little thing called a written agreement and wouldn't her agent have that? Otherwise it's a he said/she said... wow, for 6k she must be on hard times now. The legal fees would be more.

Posted at 11:23AM on Feb 1st 2009 by the truth

5. I distrust all organized charities. I prefer to help people as I see them.
As far as them not making money for her appearance, they owe her regardless.
They have not right, to quote the honorable Judge Judy Shiendlin, to visit their misfortune on to her.
I saw a recent case on another court show, People's Court with the Honorable Hottness Judge Marilyn Milian.
A venue stiffed a band for poor attendence. The band won their entire fee, plus extras.
Besides, where Karina Smirnoff is from, nothing is done for free, Da?
Maybe she won't be the only Russian they'll end up owing. :)
The Russkaya Mafiya aren't afraid of any Cholos.

Posted at 11:34AM on Feb 1st 2009 by Jeff Dranetz

6. Money before morality. Whats new there? Money always comes before honor in hollywood.

Posted at 11:37AM on Feb 1st 2009 by Christopher Nelson

7. Hey Gold-Digger....
You couldn't draw anyone to this event,
NOW THE KIDS MUST SUFFER BECAUSE NO ONE CARES TO SEE YOU!!!
Thanks for being the typical Hollywood bitch...
I HOPE YOU SUFFER THE SAME CONSEQUENCE AS US MARCH OF DIME KIDS.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Posted at 11:45AM on Feb 1st 2009 by March of Dime Kids

8. Everyone who works for these charities are paid BEFORE the money will go to the actual charity. That's the sham. They lead to believe your money is going to charity when all of it goes to overhead costs.

I'm not saying what Karina did was wrong, just saying, this is how it is.

Posted at 1:10PM on Feb 1st 2009 by Mimi

9. She came here???I didn't know

Posted at 1:19PM on Feb 1st 2009 by erica

10. Weird the resturant is always busy ..good food though

Posted at 1:19PM on Feb 1st 2009 by erica

11. Karina worth $6k? She isn't even worth $.06 ... Maybe she should call Mario ....

Posted at 6:32PM on Feb 1st 2009 by Huh

12. that's because she feels she's well known now because of her dancing at the show..because they take her photos/videos whenever she is in paparazzi infested locales in Hollywood...still a charity event..well you're suppose to DONATE your time, appearance on the even they sponsor....Maybe she is so into her dancing that her brain is in her feet now....oh well....

Posted at 9:23PM on Feb 1st 2009 by GEEZ..........

13. that's because she feels she's well known now because of her dancing at the show..because they take her photos/videos whenever she is in paparazzi infested locales in Hollywood...still it's a CHARITY event..well you're suppose to DONATE your time, appearance ....Maybe she is so into her dancing that her brain is in her feet now....oh well....

Posted at 9:29PM on Feb 1st 2009 by GEEZ..........

14. This whole thing sounds confusing, but I say boo to all. The March of Dimes is a shady organization that isn't really relevant and has contributed NOTHING in terms of scientific breakthroughs. Please people, do your research when supporting a charity, and if you look up the March of Dimes you will see why it needs to be reformed, or completely done away with. (Same goes for the American Cancer Society!) Support good, REAL charities.

Posted at 10:08PM on Feb 1st 2009 by asd

15. She came here to S.A.? They didn't even announce it in the news. Maybe cus she's just a nobody who got her 15 minutes of fame. She really isn't famous. You're not even supposed to charge a charity. You donate your time, appearance, etc. for a worthy cause!!

Posted at 11:53PM on Feb 1st 2009 by Mary

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