GOSSIP!

Vin Diesel Dating
August 2002

April's Most Beautiful Man, Vin Diesel, has managed to win the affections of a TV reporter - while she was interviewing him. The XXX hunk, 35, is reportedly besotted with Entertainment Tonight reporter Maria Menounos (see photo)- and they began dating after the actor relentlessly chased the former teen beauty.

Menounos, 24, a former Massachusetts Teen Usa winner, scored a one-on-one interview with New Yorker Diesel on 29 July. During their chat, the subject of dating came up. She asked Diesel if he was "available." When he said that he was, a pleasantly surprised Menounos reportedly responded, "You are?" before the actor quickly asked if she was single too. A week later, at the 5 August premiere of XXX in Westwood, California, the two met again.

A source tells American tabloid the Star, "There were 100 reporters around, but when he saw Maria, they just fell into each other's arms. They were holding hands and whispering to each other. It's obvious something was going on. He then promised he'd see her a day later and I don't remember any other public appearances scheduled for Vin."

When asked what do you look for a woman, Vin said, "I've always wanted a girl to be cool. I like strength in a woman. I like independence. I like individuality. As long as she's a good person."