Thanks A Lot: 'Miami Herald' MISQUOTES The Smoking Nun

It's awfully nice being referenced as a source in a national news story—except when you're MIS-referenced. The Miami Herald ran a piece about William Levy's rehearsals for ABC's Dancing With The Stars, referring to a story posted here on The Smoking Nun. The dumbass cub reporter referred to us as The Smoking GUN... that other website that reports celebrity arrests. Thanks for nothing, Herald! I sure would appreciate you adding your two cents to the story's comments, informing them that as a Smoking Nun reader, it would be nice if they credited the correct source. See story here.

William Levy: Odds-On Fave To Win 'DWTS'!

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT: The World Will Fall In Love With William Levy

You know how when you were a kid and you looooooved R.E.M., the kinda sorta underground alternative band from Athens, Ga.? And then all of a sudden they break into the mainstream with huge 1987 top 40 hit, "The One I Love," and then they are beloved by the world...

And you keep saying, "I knew them first... I loved them when... They were mine before..." And you get all protective and shit...

That's the way I'm feeling at this moment, 30 minutes before the launch of Season 14 of ABC's reality Dancing With The Stars at 8 p.m. tonight. By the end of this evening, the mainstream press is going to be madly in love with The Smoking Nun's Sexiest Man Alive William Levy... and I'll be feeling all haughty, proclaiming again and again, "Hey, remember, you met him here first!"

But you already knew that, right? When you're watching the show, you cool cats are going to say, really loud, to everyone in the room: "That's the guy that The Smoking Nun has been talking about for the past two years... Wow, they really are on top of pop culture..." And then... the kids will be all right... And we'll all share the love as one. Oh, what a beautiful world. *

At Last: William Levy Offers Official 'DWTS' Photo!

William Levy's official portrait with partner Cheryl Burke... at last!

William Levy & Cheryl Burke Begin 'DWTS' Rehearsals

William Levy wasn't around for the formal couple portraits for Season 14 of ABC-TV's Dancing With the Stars, but our Sexiest Man Alive has begun rehearsals in Miami with his dance partner Cheryl Burke. The season premiere takes place in a two-hour event at 8 p.m. Monday, March 19.

Their first routine will be a cha-cha, which I have no doubt will set the dance-floor into flames. No couples are eliminated during the first week of the "reality" competition. Check out an interview with the pair on Miami's ABC-10 website here.
 
Here's an edited version of the news report's accompanying text: With just a week to go before the premiere of DWTS, Miami native & telenovela star William Levy and partner Cheryl Burke are perfecting their moves for his big debut. Burke and Levy rehearsed in South Florida Monday, and now the actor is ready to show off his Latin moves. "She is telling me, 'This is not a dancing club or salsa. This is ballroom,'" Levy said. "It's completely different."

He has been crunching in as many ballroom moves as he can. "For the premiere, we have one dance, a cha-cha, and no one gets eliminated," said Burke, who won with Drew Lachey in the show's second season and with retired football star Emmitt Smith in season three. "What makes the show so interesting is the time crunch and the stress and to see if you are going to have chemistry." Levy added, "This is cool. This is something new in my life, in my career, so as long as you do something for fun and you have fun doing it."

And cool cats, let's not forget Will's stunning smile, perfecto bod—and from what we see here, an absolutely divine behind. May the best man win (no, that would not be Urkel). *

William Levy Gains Mainstream Momentum As 'DWTS' Prepares Launch

As momentum builds for Smoking Nun idol William Levy's competitive appearance on the 14th season of ABC reality series Dancing With The Stars (which launches at 8 p.m. Monday, March 19th) our Sexiest Man Alive is at last garnering plenty of mainstream press—that is, two years after The Smoking Nun began singing his praises.

Good Morning America talked to some of the cast in a 5-½-minute video, including Will's dance partner Cheryl Burke, who referred to our guy as "the hottest piece of you know what" in DWTS history.

Oh, wait, you mean ass, right, girl? Well, that's certainly a start: Let's add those beautiful teeth, perfect face, enviable abs and overall ideal demeanor to that, shall we? As I've mentioned before, this will be the first time I've been able to bear this inexplicably enduring show... though I have to admit, watching Martina Navratilova in a pair of high heels could be giddy fun. *

William Levy Joins Season 14's 'Dancing With The Stars'!!!!!

Hot, hot news! Perpetual Smoking Nun fave William Levy has joined the 14th season of ABC's reality series Dancing With The Stars. At last, I'll actually watch a season of the bore-fest... at least, until our Sexiest Man Alive is eliminated. The season premiere takes place in a two-hour event at 8 p.m. Monday, March 19th on ABC.

Will joins fellow competitors Gladys Knight, Maria Menounos, Jack Wagner, Donald Driver, Melissa Gilbert, Jaleel White, Sherri Shepherd, Martina Navratilova, Katherine Jenkins, Roshon Fegan and Gavin DeGraw. He is paired with two-time DWTS winner Cheryl Burke, who has appeared in 13 seasons.

Sadly, the mainstream press still seems to be figuring out who William Levy is. Aren't you glad you read The Smoking Nun, cool cats? Meanwhile, it seems the gays have certainly cast their pre-season votes, according to this poll on Homorazzi... There's simply no competition, eh?
Our sexy pal's ABC bio is below the jump... *
William Levy was born in Cuba and very early on knew he would go after his dreams, even if it meant leaving his beloved country and risking his life. By age 15, Levy was living in Miami, Florida, where he attended high school and learned to speak English. 

His incursion in acting was a supporting role on Telemundo’s “Los Teens,” a series about Hispanic teenagers growing up in the United States. Prior to “Los Teens,” Levy had appeared in two reality shows, also for Telemundo, and a music video. His modeling career also took off at this point and he was signed to one of the most prestigious national modeling agencies. 

Levy’s big break came in 2007, when he was personally chosen by famed Televisa producer Carla Estrada to play the role of Vasco Darien in “Pasion,” an epic novela production set in Mexico’s colonial period. Levy gained instant recognition and his acting career skyrocketed as a consequence of the novela’s popularity. After “Pasion,” he traveled to Ecuador and participated in the film “Retazos de Vida.” Shortly thereafter he returned to Mexico for his first leading role in “Cuidado con el Angel,” a soap opera production that consolidated him as one of Mexico’s most sought after leading actors. 

He starred as Alejandro Lombardo on Univision’s “Sortilegio,” Mexico’s highest rated primetime production, and now stars in “Triunfo del Amor,” (Univision) the No. 1 rated telenovela on TV. Levy enjoys playing all kinds of sports, but he considers himself an avid baseball fan. He currently resides between Los Angeles, Mexico City and Miami.

The Taylor Top 40 Songs Of 2011

At last, cool cats... the year 2011 in music. Since 1980—geez, more than 30 years—I've conjured the Taylor Top 100 each passing year, though admittedly in the past few years as I've discovered fewer and fewer new songs that tickle my audio fancy, I've downsized to a crisp Top 40.

In the past, I've also come up with exhaustive lists of the Top Albums, Artists, etc. Again, not so much anymore. All the same, the good in 2011 was absolutely superlative. And so...

Top Singles Artist: Much like the rest of the world, Adele was my year's chieftain goddess, manning the No. 1 TTT song of the year, "Set Fire To The Rain." Originally, the Moto Blanco Edit ruled, but by year end, the single edit and April's live performance on the U.K. Graham Norton Show were equally beloved, so I stripped off any specific version. Adele also delivered the No. 3 song, the heartbreaking "Someone Like You," which I remain convinced she wrote just for me; as well as No. 11's Lenny B Remix of Billboard's 2011 No. 1 song, "Rolling in the Deep."

Top Singles Artist, Runner-Up: Lady Gaga made a stellar showing this past year, with the most entries of any artist in the year-end countdown, at five: No. 5 "Born This Way," No. 12 "The Edge Of Glory (Sunshine Radio Edit," No. 19's playful "The Lady Is A Tramp" with Tony Bennett (his first appearance ever on a year-end tally), No. 22's "Judas" and "Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)," a sweet pop song obviously recorded before Gaga found her true grit.

Top Male Artist: While Darren Hayes made his best showing ever on the TTT at No. 2 with the maudlin "Black Out The Sun," Matt Zarley's three singles propelled him to masculine glory on this year's countdown: No. 9 with "WTF," No. 17's "Forgive Me (For Not Forgiving You)" and "Change Begins With Me" at No. 26.

Best New Artist: 4Q entry Christina Perri's haunting break-up songs hit me upside the head (thanks to Donna Mae intro'ing), with oh-so-dark "The Lonely" at No. 6 and equally commiserative "Jar of Hearts" at No. 15. Already in 2012, her "A Thousand Years" is scoring points.

Sheena Easton made a profound impact on the year's top 40 with vintage hits "You've Learned To Live Without Me" and "To Anyone," both top entries on my fall post-breakup playlist "Cry Baby." "You've Learned To Live Without Me" improved its original showing as 1995's No. 53, catapulting to No. 7 for the year; while 1991's No. 22 "To Anyone" encored this year at No. 38. Sheena also gets props via the No. 24 kitschy "beautiful music" version of "Morning Train" from Paul Mauriat.

While Celine Dion has not recorded anything new in years (new English and French projects are due in 2012), she scores a top 10 appearance with her stunning encore performance of "The Prayer" Live in Central Park with Andrea Bocelli.

Best Album: Sorry, there's really no such thing anymore... In good faith, I cannot claim that a single long-play project worked me in 2011.

Worst Singles of the Year: Much easier: "Just Can't Get Enough," a typical piece of horse dung from Black Eyed Peas; "Super Bass" from no-talent harlot Nicki Minaj; and "Party Rock Anthem" from LMFAO. Sadly, the latter novelty act had the last laugh, with this gruesome dance-crap loop finishing for 2011 at No. 2 on Billboard. I deem it the year's "Macarena," a song that fans will be ashamed of liking a year from now. *

And now... the 2011 Taylor Top 40
 1. Set Fire To The Rain—Adele
 2. Black Out The Sun—Darren Hayes
 3. Someone Like You—Adele
 4. Price Tag—Jessie J f/B.o.B.
 5. Born This Way—Lady Gaga
 6. The Lonely—Christina Perri
 7. You've Learned To Live Without Me—Sheena Easton
 8. Daze—Beu Sisters
 9. WTF—Matt Zarley
10. The Prayer (Live in Central Park)—Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion
11. Rolling In The Deep (Lenny B Remix)—Adele
12. The Edge Of Glory (Sunshine Radio Edit)—Lady Gaga
13. I'm Into You—Jennifer Lopez w/William Levy
14. Summer Rain (Almighty Radio Edit)—Matthew Morrison
15. Jar of Hearts—Christina Perri
16. Last Friday Night (DJ Mike Bass Mix)—Katy Perry
17. Forgive Me (For Not Forgiving You)—Matt Zarley
18. My Heart Is Broken—Evanescence
19. The Lady is a Tramp—Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
20. Love Is A Losing Game—Amy Winehouse
21. Moves Like Jagger—Maroon 5 f/ Christina Aguilera
22. Judas—Lady GaGa
23. Grenade—Bruno Mars
24. Morning Train—Paul Mauriat f/Sheena Easton
25. Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)—Lady Gaga
26. Change Begins With Me—Matt Zarley
27. It's Not Goodbye—Laura Pausini
28. World Keeps Turning—Sylvia Tosun
29. I'm Not Ready—Michael Bolton & Delta Goodrem
30. Best Thing I Never Had (Mike Dre mix)—Beyonce
31. Sleeping Satellite—Kim Wilde
32. Please Stay—Westlife
33. Above All—Sylvia Tosun
34. Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart—Alicia Keys
35. Say Hello To Goodbye—Shontelle
36. Goodbye Girl—Rumer
37. California King Bed (Goon Rock Remix) Edit—Rihanna
38. To Anyone—Sheena Easton
39. Boys Do Fall In Love (Long Version)—Robin Gibb
40. Heartache All Over The World (Megamix)—Elton John

2011's Sexiest Man Alive: And Now... The Runners Up

Come on, you didn't think I'd leave you hanging for too long, did you? After announcing 2011's Sexiest Man Alive as True Blood machismo-packed Joe Manganiello on December 30, let's now pay homage to the other bountiful hotties on our list that make being gay an almighty pleasure.

Our nominee pool comprised model Jed Hill; 2010 runner up actor William Levy; return nom actor Kellan Lutz; model Michael Barre; an encore from 2010 victor Rodiney Santiago; country singer & model Josey Greenwell; Thor star Chris Hemsworth; and wet dream model Nick Ayler.

And the runners up are...
FIRST RUNNER UP: Rodiney Santiago. No doubt, I just can't get enough of a guy I truly believe is as close to perfection as I've seen... and being that I've had the opportunity to meet the man, I know it's not smoke & mirrors. The beautiful face, eyes and smile, the ideal frame with superb abs and arms, and a torso that's eye catching in a pair of tight undies—in addition to an endearing demeanor as a truly sweet man—keep Rod close to our hearts and a bulls-eye in our purview.
SECOND RUNNER UP: William Levy. It'd be easy enough to say "ditto" to Levy from Santiago's physical description above... Will Levy is a world-class idol in the Latin world, and for good reason. He's simply immaculate.
THIRD RUNNER UP: Josey Greenwell. The pretty boy scores! Country singer and burgeoning model Josey posed with Rodiney this year, which about created a hormonal Nun overload. On his own, the green eyes, youthful frame and beautiful smile score a grade-A beef ranking.
FOURTH RUNNER UP: Nick Ayler. This gay fave model has no problem stripping down to his tightie whities and being jetted with water to reveal every curve and mound. Enough said. *

Delish! William Levy Joins VH1's 'Single Ladies'

Smoking Nun fave William Levy is confirmed to join the second season cast of VH1's scripted  Single Ladies for a two-episode guest arc. The hit comedic drama is about three besties in Atlanta with different philosophies on sex and relationships. Season two stars Denise Vasi, LisaRaye McCoy and Charity Shea.

Will, in his first role in an English-language series, will play Antonio, an old friend of character Raquel (Denise Vasi). After significant time apart, the duo reunites to find they still have strong chemistry. Then again, you've seen Levy: Unless you're a lesbian, how could there not be chemistry? *