A multi-platinum selling R&B/pop singer and actor, Mario was best known for such hit singles as “Just a Friend (2002)” and “Let Me Love You.” He was the recipient of Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year in 2005 for "Let Me Love You," and was also nominated for a Grammy, BET Award, Vibe Award, MOBO Award and Soul Train Music Award. Although music remained his first love, he did venture onto the big screen, appearing in the feature films “Step Up” (2006) and “Freedom Writers” (2007). At the same time his LP Go, was released, it coincided perfectly with the announcement in early 2008 that he would his appear as one of the contestants on the sixth season of ABC's hit series, "Dancing with the Stars" (2005- ).