Karina Smirnoff is no fool.

She knows how good looking partner Rocco DiSpirito is, and she has every intention of exploiting that fact to her advantage of Dancing with the Stars this season.

“He’s very handsome,” Smirnoff told People Magazine last week. “A lot of women kept telling me, ‘Oh, my god, you have a hottie! You got a hottie this season!’ So I’m sure we’re going to try to play off the handsomeness of Rocco.”

How far do you think Karina Smirnoff and Rocca DiSpirito will advance this season?

As for other strategy, Smirnoff said Rocco simply has to relax.

“I think he’s a lot of fun when we like just hang out or talk, but when he’s actually in the studio, motivated and determined to do well, he gets very tight,” she said, “so I need him to let go of all inhibitions and just go for it.”

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.