And they were both practically half-naked!

The gorgeous brunette and her partner, three-time “DWTS” winner Derek Hough, ratcheted up the sexiness of their steamy salsa number by sharing a kiss—for the second time this season—in the middle of their performance.

Clad in a skimpy yellow outfit, Maria took Derek’s face in her hands right after the latter took his shirt off and kissed him for a good four seconds.

Of course, the crowd loved it… but judge Carrie Ann Inaba was not so impressed.

At first, the “DWTS” judge praised the pair for their routine:

“That was hot! You had everything magic going on!”

But then she added:

“I’m gonna say though… I don’t think you needed the kiss! I think that was a sell-out! Like, dance is about the illusion of passion. Don’t go at it right there in front of all of us!”

Despite the criticism, Maria and Derek earned a whopping 27 points for their sexy salsa routine.

Watch their kiss at the 1:04 mark:

Lauren and Chace? Really?

Lauren, who initially rebounded from ex Kyle Howard with Derek Hough, is now rebounding with Chace. The two were spotted “making out” at a nightclub in L.A. on October 29, which of course sparked rumors that there was something brewing between them.

But is there? A source tells Us Weekly:

“There’s always been an attraction between them… [But] Lauren is just enjoying herself. She’s not taking anything too seriously!”

Hmm. Lauren and Chace… can you see it happening?

images via WENN

The blonde reality star from “The Hills” and her blonder “DTWS” dancer have been rumored to be dating since early this month, only three months after Lauren was dumped by Robert de Niro-loving boyfriend, Kyle Howard.

Lauren and Derek haven’t made their relationship officially public in any statement to the press, but their body language points toward the very obvious…these two are definitely dating, if not bumping pelvises already.

“It was obvious there was a lot of chemistry between the two,”

a witness revealed.

“She was very smitten. Neither seemed embarrassed about kissing in public.”

It’s still the early days for Lauren and Derek, but just as we’re resigned to waiting for Jessica Simpson who’s taking her own sweet time to officially announce her pregnancy, we’ll let these two enjoy the molten heat of their smoldering companionship first before coming clean to the press.

Just don’t take too long, you too, hmmm?

Images via WENN

Because don’t they just make such a beautiful couple?

Celebrity news has spotted the couple out about town and a fellow party-goer

“They were pretty cozy. Definitely playful and flirty. They were close to each other. He had his arm around her waist. They were dancing and also holding hands.”

Now isn’t that just the sweetest?

What are the chances these two will make good on their chemistry and last a long, long time afterwards…

Images via WENN

Joan, 50, used to be extremely close to Cheryl, 27, but in recent months the mother, daughter have hardly been spotted together – and sources say this is because Cole is spending all her free time with her rumored dancer boyfriend.

Joan does like Derek but has reservations about his strong influence on Cheryl as a source tells Star magazine.

“She made Cheryl analyse whether she wanted a serious relationship so soon after the divorce. She wants her to be happy more than anything, but she thinks she may be jumping into things afar too fast with Derek,” an insider told Star.

Another report is saying Cheryl has told Derek to back off, she wants to cool things with the dancing pro. Cole is apparently feeling a bit claustrophobic in the relationship.

Methinks it’s always good to take it slowly after one major breakup. Perhaps they just need to take a couple steps back before moving forward again. Do you see Cheryl and Derek making it last?

images via WENN

The gorgeous X Factor judge has been coy about her relationship with Derek. The pair has been enjoying a romantic break staying at a beach villa in Camps Bay, South Africa.
They rang in the new year together and shared their first public kiss at a New Year’s Eve party in Cape Town. Hough has also reportedly bought Cheryl a £10,000 (about $15,000) diamond bracelet as Christmas gift.

I think Chery and Derek make a really hot couple, don’t you?

photos: Fame

Onlookers saw Cheryl and Derek kiss and she was showing off a £10,000 bracelet he had just given her.

Cheryl, the gorgeous UK X Factor judge had been looking at renting an apartment in Los Angeles for when she launches her career in the States. But now she has agreed to share Derek’s place as the UK Mirror reports. Cheryl will be joining Simon Cowell as one of the judges on the upcoming X Factor reality show in the US.

“If living with Derek goes well, she’ll put her plans to get a long-term ­apartment on hold indefinitely.”

Derek’s stepdad said in June that Derek has told him that he’s in love with Cheryl and he thinks she feels the same way about him. Awww

They look amazing together, don’t they? A very hot couple indeed.

photos: Fame

We so guessed it that Jennifer and Derek will be the winners of the season. They were absolutely the best, weren’t they? I have to say the two other pairs Kyle Massey & Lacey Schwimmer; Bristol Palin & Mark Ballas were amazing as well.

TMZ has learnt that “Dancing with the Stars” took security to extreme level for the big finale tonight; they’ve amped up personnel, given Bristol Palin her own bodyguard, and are even using bomb-sniffing dogs.

Sources tell TMZ, in addition to Bristol’s personal security, there will be 2 bomb-sniffing K-9 units and 12 undercover guards … some LAPD, some private security … all armed.

TMZ was also told it’s the first time they’ve had this much firepower on set. It makes perfect sense considering Bristol and Mark Ballas have received several death threats!

Who was your pick?

photos: ABC

Cheryl said she owes her life to Derek. Oh! Now you should marry him since I think you two are so cute together! Cheryl said if it wasn’t for Derek’s intervention and pleading with her to get a blood test, she would have died from Malara which she had contracted while vacationing with Derek in Tanzania last July.

Cheryl said she had been given just 24 hours to live as she fought the deadly illness in hospital, where she wrote a will in the event of the worst outcome.

Speaking of Hough, she told Morgan: ‘He’s an amazing, amazing person.’

She said she was angry at him at first for suggesting a blood test because she didn’t like needles. But in retrospect, she now says his actions most probably saved her life.

‘I can never repay him for that,’ she added.

But she won’t say whether they are an item or not.

‘I am not confirming or denying anything.

‘People can think he’s my boyfriend, people can think he’s my best friend.’

She also talked about her cheating ex husband, Ashley Cole, she was sobbing saying she still believed he’s a genuinely nice guy,’ The ever-so forgiving Cheryl adding: ‘Once we get over this obstacle, I hope we can be friends again. A part of me will always love Ashley.’

She explained: ‘Looking back on it, I feel numb. We had a great marriage and a fantastic wedding day but I don’t know where it went wrong.’

Ok, now you get why I just adore Cheryl? She’s just amazing. And I think Derek, he looks like a good boyfriend and he’s so handsome too. I dont’ see them getting married rightaway as Cheryl has just finalized her divorce but in time..

photos: Fame

More pictures of Cheryl after the move…

Do you think Cheryl would give up her judges chair on one side of the Atlantic to move to the other?

Simon Cowell and Nigel Lythgoe have conquered America and now Cheryl Cole of The X Factor is rumoured to be looking to work across the pond with boyfriend Derek Hough of Dancing with the Stars.

According to MTV U.K., Cheryl Cole is rumoured to be leaving X Factor after this season to pursue a career in America near her Dancing with the Stars boyfriend, Derek Hough. Various X Factor reports claim that Cole feels three years on the U.K. X Factor is enough and is hoping to land a judging position on the American Version of The X Factor.

She might make an interesting judge in the US…but so would a few other people. Do you think Cheryl will really leave the UK for LA? Posh and Becks did it…will Cheryl too?

Photos: Fame

More pictures of Derek and Cheryl after the twirl…

Derek has been with Cheryl for a few months, under the radar. Maybe they will go public soon?

Cheryl Cole showed the world that she’s making a good recovery from malaria by jumping on a plane to Los Angeles.

Just 24 hours after being pictured for the first time at Starbucks in Guildford, Surrey, Cheryl was snapped as she landed at LAX airport along with dancer Derek Hough after an 11-hour flight.

Is Derek the kind of guy that will hold Cheryl’s love and affection? Hopefully! Do you see them getting married in the future? Keep resting Cheryl and get well soon!

Photos: Bauer Griffin

More pictures of Cheryl and Derek after the trip…

When you vacation with someone, that means something, doesn’t it?

The Dancing with the Stars champion booked them into the luxe Doubletree Oyster Bay hotel, with its own private beach – and according to the Sunday Mirror, Cheryl has told her mum it’s stunning.

‘She’s having a brilliant holiday,’ a close friend says. ‘Cheryl’s really impressed with Derek’s taste and is loving spending some time with him.’

‘They’ve been enjoying lots of days out, and Derek makes her laugh,’ they continued.

‘She’s having the time of her life.’

It’s nice she’s having a great time! Cheryl deserves some fun after she’s had to live with that cheater husband Ashley Cole for so long. Derek better make her happy if they are more than just friends. Do you think they are dating?

Photos: Bauer Griffin

more Cheryl and Derek after the jump…

Cheryl, 26, and hunky Derek, 25, were pictured at 10pm last Thursday driving to her Surrey pad – only hours after Derek flew in from Los Angeles where he’d just won Dancing With The Stars with his dance partner Nicole Scherzinger. Cheryl has just made her divorce announcement on Tuesday.

As reports by News of the World as soon as Derek arrived in London after a 12-hour flight he dashed to be by Cheryl’s side as she prepared to take to the stage at London’s 02 arena on Thursday.

An insider revealed: “Cheryl was desperate to see Derek. She’s become very dependent on him. She’s been speaking to him almost every day and he’s helped her get through this awful time.
“She really wanted Derek to come to London to be with her earlier but he couldn’t leave the States because he was partnering Nicole Scherzinger on Dancing with the Stars.

The source said: “Derek is the first man to set foot in the Cole house since Cheryl chucked Ashley out. It was a very big decision on her part. But she loves spending time with Derek.”

So I guess Will.I.Am and Cheryl are just friends although he’d do anything to be with her. Cheryl and Derek make such a hot couple, don’t they?

photos: Fame

more of Cheryl and Derek pictured together on Friday after the jump…

Daily Mail reports that Cheryl was spotted with Derek for the third time since she arrived in L.A. The two watched Valentine’s Day together and later dined at Katsuya with some of Derek’s friends.

Derek was picked up by Cheryl’s chauffer-driven limo and taken to the Arclight Cinema in Hollywood where the duo watched the romantic movie together. 

Hough, 24 is a professional dancer, you must have seen the hottie if you followed Dancing with the Stars. Hough had danced on DWTS for several seasons.

As for Cheryl, the X-Factor judge as gorgeous as she is, her husband, Ashley has cheated time after time. Does this remind you of Tiger and Elin?  Ashley was busted cheating and their marriage almost fell apart, she took him back. Who would have guessed that he’d cheat again?

Reports are saying that Cheryl will be asking for a divorce in a few weeks time.

I say enough is enough.

photos: Bauer Griffin

More pics after the hop…

Shannon began dating her dancing partner Derek shortly after rehearsals started for DWTS.  The pair quickly fell head over heels…haha…and moved in together.  So, Derek was being romantic with his girl and popped the question to her.  And she said no!

I’m Not Obsessed says that Shannon is in no hurry to jump in to another marriage after she has only been divorced a short time.  Oh wait, her divorce isn’t even final yet.  I guess she is moving quickly.  Didn’t anyone explain to Derek you can only be married to one person at a time?  Duh. 

Better luck next time…to both of them.

Photos: PR Photos