Mario...

Mario...

Miss America week in Las Vegas is always one of my favorites of the year.

And this year was no exception.

With press pass in hand I was ready to cover the events for Four Points magazine.

The judges panel was an interesting mix including Rush Limbaugh, and gymnastic and Dancing with the Stars Champ Shawn Johnson.

Sitting front row at my first press conference of the year always gives me a crazy rush. Robin Leach (yes he REALLY talks that way) was on my right and the usual mass of cameras, reporters and film crews packed the room behind me.

I seriously wonder some days how I got so lucky.

Then it happened...I have to admit after all these years I actually became starstruck.

I've watched him the last couple of years, and I'm pretty sure he's the player we all would be if we looked like that too, but when Mario Lopez walked in the room I was toast. It was all I could do to just keep shooting so the camera would hide the glassy eyes and dazed look. (Okay, not sleeping gives me that same glassy eyed dazed look too, but this one belonged to Mario)

He's so soft spoken in person, and I'll never watch EXTRA the same way again.

Loved this final shot I snapped right after Caressa was crowned and was being interviewed by Mr Wonderful.