There was no question R&B singer Mario and his professional partner Karina Smirnoff showed some chemistry whenever they danced on Dancing with the Stars. And while the tandem was eliminated earlier than what most Dancing with the Stars viewers anticipated (8th), the two still had a lot of fun together and both of them, according to Mario in an exclusive interview, made most of the experience.

"I feel like I had a great time," Mario begins. "I feel like I learned a lot about myself on a creative level. Where I can go creatively now with dance is pretty cool. I feel like America sat down and had dinner with me every Monday and Tuesday night and it was pretty cool to have that type of audience, who I'm sure really don't listen to R&B or go out to buy records at stores anymore, but now they know a little bit about the R&B world and hopefully they'll continue to be fans of that world."

According to Mario, part of the reason why he joined Dancing with the Stars is because he wanted to try something new, the same reason why he ventured into making movies. At first, he says he never anticipated the show to take so much time but he ended up cutting time from his other activities, which, presently, includes rehearsing for his upcoming tour, promoting his album, and the foundation he organized for kids dealing with substance abuse in the home.

He finally dispelled rumors that he and Karina's chemistry extended outside the ballroom. "It was totally professional. It was a lot of fun and I think that our chemistry definitely added to this suspicion of our secret romance. But it was just strictly entertainment, that's all."