Mario Lopez Blames Britney for Split Rumors

Last week, Mario Lopez faced a storm of media attention when one website felt compelled to write a story claiming that the former Saved By the Bell star had split from his gal-pal, Dancing With the Stars pro Karina Smirnoff. Turns out the rumor wasn't all it was cracked up to be — and Mario says that Britney Spears is somehow to blame!

"See what happens when Britney starts behaving?" he joked to the NY Daily News. "People start making up all kinds of things."

Mario also told the paper that he and Karina aren't just not broken up — he's even taken her to meet his mom, not a step he takes lightly. "I learned a long time ago that I only introduce them to mom if they are going to be around for a while," he explains.

It's been a long few months for Mario and Karina, who have not only had to weather false reports of a split — but also that she was high-stepping out on her man with new dance partner, the one-named pop star Mario.

Additionally, Lopez recently talked to OK! to shoot down reports that he was somehow involved with socialite Phoebe Price. "I don't even know who that is!" he laughed.