Best known for his character A.C. Slater on the classic hit TV show “Saved By The Bell” (1989-1993), Mario Lopez is an American actor and television host. He was also part of the third season of “Dancing with the Stars”.
Aside from being a famous actor, Lopez was also known for his good hosting skills. He hosted “Extra” (1994-1996), “Access Hollywood” (2017-2019), and “America’s Best Dance Crew” for MTV (2008-2015). He also co-hosted the second season of the American version of “The X Factor” (2012) with Khloé Kardashian, and was the sole host for the third and final seasons.
However, for reasons unknown, rumors started circulating about Mario Lopez’s sexuality. Fans were particularly curious if the renowned TV host identified as queer. So, is he? Is Mario Lopez gay? Let’s discover the truth.
VOTE: What is Mario Lopez’s Sexuality?
Mario Lopez’ Dating History
Some fans were curious about the actor/host’s sexuality. To answer the question of whether Lopez was gay or not, let’s take a look at his long and somewhat controversial dating history.
Fergie (1984)
Mario Lopez used to date American singer Fergie, whose real name is Stacy Ferguson, in 1984. Yes, you’ve read the year right. The two dated when they were 10 and 11 years old.
They were both part of the children’s TV show “Kids Incorporated” which aired in the 1980s and ’90s on Disney Channel and other networks. In his memoir, “Just Between Us,” which was released in 2014, Lopez revealed that Fergie was his first kiss.
Fergie also talked about her childhood romance with the actor in her 2017 guest appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.”
Oh, he had beautiful, soft lips. It wasn’t that extensive but, yeah, and having feelings at that age.”
the popstar shared
Lopez recently shared a throwback photo of him and Fergie together looking so young and so cute.
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Tiffani Amber Thiessen (1991-1993)
Mario Lopez also revealed in his memoir that he was secretly dating Tiffani Amber Thiessen for three years. They were both part of the cast of the American TV sitcom “Saved by the Bell” (1989-1993). And although Lopez’s character’s OTP was Elizabeth Berkley’s character, he was actually dating Thiessen behind the scenes. They “went to movies, went out to eat, hung out at parties, danced together” and eventually became a couple.
The actor, however, admitted that he wasn’t really faithful to Thiessen when they were together.
I thought that being loyal to Tiffani was the right thing to do. But I can’t say that I was capable at that age of following through on my noble intentions.”
Ali Landry (1997-2004)
Mario Lopez dated American actress Ali Landry for 6 years and they were married for 7 days! Yes, seven days. Landry found out that Lopez was cheating on her, so the wedding was annulled just a week later.
The couple met at the 1998 Miss Teen USA pageant. They dated for 6 years before deciding to tie the knot. However, Landry found out that Lopez was messing around with other girls during his bachelor party. Something that Lopez also admitted in an interview some years later.
It’s my bachelor party, we were going to have a good time. And we went (bouncing around Mexico with my cousins), we had a good time.”
Mario Lopez shared with Howard Stern in his interview for the Sirius XM radio show
Somebody took a photo of him and another woman in an incriminating poolside shot. Landry eventually got hold of that photo and decided to end their 7-day marriage. Not just because she found out that he slept with another woman on his bachelor’s party. But also because she later found out that he had been cheating on her with several women all throughout their 6-year relationship. The revelation made her question everything about their relationship.
Landry described their short-lived marriage life as “horrible”. Lopez, on the other hand, later admitted that he wasn’t really ready to settle down at that time.
Jaime Pressly (1997-1998)
The actor also went out with American actress Jaime Pressly for maybe a year. That was after they worked on the film, “The Journey: Absolution” (1997), together. They also shot a very steamy scene for the said post-apocalyptic movie which seemed to spark the romance between them in real life.
Heidi Mueller (2006)
Lopez was romantically linked to American actress Heidi Mueller. The relationship was, however, brief.
Karina Smirnoff (2006-2008)
Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff, a Soviet-born American professional ballroom dancer, met on “Dancing with the Stars” (2005). They dated for almost 2 years before they called it quits. Smirnoff’s representative said that the breakup was because the relationship “wasn’t heading in the right direction.”
However, the real reason for the split was later revealed to be Lopez cheating on her with model Meagan Cooper.
Meagan Cooper (2007-2008)
The actor and Hooters calendar model Meagan Cooper dated for a year while Lopez was still in a relationship with Smirnoff. The model revealed that she didn’t know that Lopez and Smirnoff were still together because he told her that “Karina just left her stuff there and was moving it out.”
Britney Spears (2008)
There was a rumor that Mario Lopez hooked up with Britney Spears sometime in 2008. This was, however, not confirmed until Lopez shared in his 2014 memoir that he had a one-night stand with an unnamed “mega pop star”. Multiple sources say it was, indeed, Britney Spears.
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Courtney Lopez (2008-present)
Mario Lopez has been married to Courtney Laine Mazza for 10 years now. They dated for four years before they tied the knot in 2012 in a televised wedding celebration. The couple now has three kids — Gia, Dominic, and Santino.
The two met in the Broadway production of “A Chorus Line” (2008). Their wedding was held in Punta Mita. It was aired in a TLC special titled “Mario and Courtney’s Wedding Fiesta”. Their eldest daughter, Gia, who was born in 2010, was their flower girl.
The couple is said to be one of the strongest marriages in Hollywood now. In spite of Lopez’s reputation, the marriage was going strong. They were, in fact, talking about having more children in the future.
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Is Mario Lopez Gay?
Now back to the question of whether Mario Lopez is gay, the answer is a definite NO. He’s straight. The dating history he had, although a bit messy with all those cheating issues, proves that he likes women. Plus, he was also currently married to his wife, Courtney Laine Mazza, for more than 10 years now and they have three children together.