Mirthala Salinas makes news again

Mirthala Salinas, who no doubt thinks of herself as a journalist, gets ID'd as Antonio Villaraigosa's former mistress on the cover of the May issue of LA Magazine. It's her first interview since her affair with Villaraigosa, revealed last year by the Daily News, led to a swift and steep downfall.

Salinas talks to Shawn Hubler about love, marriage, infidelity, Telemundo, and what it was like ("horrible") to make news instead of break it. She's got a new gig now, as co-host of the morning talk show, "Hoy por Hoy", which airs Monday through Friday on W Radio, XETRA 690 AM.

The story (which says Salinas in engaged to marry a former boyfriend) will go live online at LA Mag's site tomorrow.

More from from our own David Zahniser here.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Los Angeles Magazine

Comments

[GC]

I just read the story on the LA Magazine web site and I'm a little surprised at the LAT. For one thing, I see a comment saying she dated all these politicians before Villaraigosa, but the actual article in the magazine says she didn't date anyone famous except him and Nunez, who was divorced at the time. (Sorry ,Alex Padilla.) And if you read between the lines, you get the sense that he pursued her during the last days of an unhappy marriage, even though she had a boyfriend, not that she chased him. How come you guys didn't correct these misapprehensions? Does your City Hall reporter have a vested interest in not correcting the record?

[WRadio Listener]

The new call letters for W Radio are XEWW!!

[susan]

She says she regrets hurting people, but "that aside, I felt special." That sums up the whole thing: it was about her feeling special, "hooking" the big fish, not a real romance there. And that's what the public picked up on: he didn't leave his wife for a real romance, but for this woman who clawed her way up from nothing, a Mexican immigrant who never got an education, and "almost made it." After Alex Padilla and Nunez, and countless other rich or powerful married men. Was she just hoping to break one up so he'd marry her?

I don't think she looks defiant, though -- just like: "I did what I did and I"m not going to hide anymore." Everyone move on, and let the Mayor do the same. Especially his kids, who don't need to see this. I think of Chelsea's embarrassment as people ask her about Monica Lewinsky in a context that suggests Hillary's cred was soiled by it: HOW?

[Ruby Jackson]

I totally agree with "A conscience". The kids are going to see this, and why bring more pain upon them, or his wife? What purpose does this serve. She looks so smug in that photo, she should be hiding her face in shame.

[janet]

Who cares about this woman now? WHY is she on the cover of Los Angeles magazine, which is usually occupied by someone who's a positive role model for the city? Just an opportunity to try to embarrass the Mayor again, a political ploy?

Sure the magazine will probably sell some copies as a curiosity -- but giving this woman the COVER is an insult to the city, and although I'm not a fan of the Mayor, it's not to the benefit of us as citizens to have this scandal dragged back into the public eye. I'd urge a boycott of the magazine to discourage further sleazy opportunism.

[Stater Bro]

Her's was a not a mistake by a long shot. Salinas has a history of banging men in power. Look her up.

[linda caraballo]

The polls will let us know what californias think about both of them.

[anom]

The Whore of Babylon and HIS mistress!

[Roger Cortez]

Educated or not, human beings make illogical decisions and mistakes. Don't be so judgmental.

[A conscience]

I am so disturbed by this. Why does anyone care about Mirthala's story? I'm sorry, how many other married electeds had she slept with before this? Too many to count? I don't know what she expected, but she got what she deserved. She is selfish. Hasn't she helped to create enough strife in that family? Doesn't anyone remember that there were children and still are that can see this. Shame on her and shame on you!

[Cesar]

So she goofed up!

It's not like the NY governor's call girl.
Give her a second chance, she was actually a pretty good reporter.

[Roberto Aparicio]

She is a freaking opportunist, and the mayor is nothing but a low life who has quite a history for cheating on his wife.

[Kat]

Is she looking for sympathy? Is she trying to defend her actions? Is she trying to tell the world that she is/was a victim? She knew he was married, she’s a grown woman don’t tell me that this woman fell for I love you and want to be with you, I’ll get a divorce. Did she ever hear of “If he does it with you, he’ll do it to you?” This lady has a lot of nerve “talking” about now. Sure she might sell a few magazines but is this the best way to go? She should go ahead of her “engagement” to an old ex…which by the way lady just in case you haven’t hear of this either here it is for you: “an ex is an ex for a reason.” For an educated woman how could she make so many bad choices?

[Rob Thornson]

What a low life Antonio Villar and the rest of the lot at City Hall is. He should resign and it's a joke if he think he can win by running again. He embarassed his wife and children in front of everyone.