J.R. Martinez Will get Ready For His Gig As Tournament of Roses Parade Grand Marshal

Junior Martinez Want the reality? When Dwts champion J.R. Martinez was requested to become the grand marshal from the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade - airing The month of january 2 in three dimensional and commercial-free on HGTV (11am/10c) - he did not say yes since it is this type of large recognition. The Iraq War vet told TV Guide Magazine the actual reason he signed on. TV Guide Magazine: Such a prestige gig! Past marshals from the parade include John Wayne, Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, Wally Disney as well as four U.S. Presidents - Hoover, Eisenhower, Nixon and Ford. You are in great company!Martinez: Only I did not realize that once they offered me the chance. [Laughs] I stated yes because I needed tickets to the overall game! I am a huge football fan and so i was, like, 'Hell, yeah!' I recieve to visit the Rose Bowl, guy!" That is what I had been looking forward to. TV Guide Magazine: And today?Martinez: [Laughs] Now I recieve it. However I did not really awaken before the day's the large press announcement. They drove me to Pasadena incognito like I am the leader and covered me when i went in to the building. They required me with the kitchen that we thought would be a mean joke - I am the Hispanic guy so I must feel the kitchen! - and just then did I begin to see the listing of the grand marshals of history. All of a sudden I am like, "This can be a large freakin' deal!" It is extremely awesome along with a tremendous recognition. TV Guide Magazine: Significantly improved you realize the score, any nerves concerning the large day?Martinez: Nah. I am fine. I am mellow. I'd dinner using the leader from the Rose Parade association and people from the committee plus they were saying, "We do not think you actually know how crazy and demanding it will likely be!Inch TV Guide Magazine: Hellooo, try fighting in Iraq.Martinez: [Laughs] Hellooo, try dancing before 20 million people! All I gotta do on The month of january 2 is appear and wave. Waving and smiling and speaking are things i do best! But, seriously, I additionally aspire to help remind people we are still at war in Afghanistan. Individuals are tuning it. They are fed up with listening to it. They have managed to move on. But you will find still 1000's and services information males and ladies who require our support and help. It is likewise important that i can help remind America that despite the fact that the war in Iraq will probably be placed Mission: Complete it won't be complete for that males and ladies who fought against there and therefore are now returning. You are likely to be seeing lots of Post traumatic stress disorder. You are likely to be seeing a lot of mental issues, the interior scars. For the reason that sense, the Iraq war isn't over, and should never be. TV Guide Magazine: What's going on together with your acting career? Are you going to still pursue it since My Children is history?Martinez: I acquired the bug! I have really developed a real love for acting so we'll see what else is available for me personally. I didn't have a real estate agent for AMC. Now I have signed using the William Morris Agency so we'll find out if individuals men will find me some roles. However the greatest factor I wish to pursue is hosting. I located the preshow for CNN Heroes for Showbiz Tonight and extremely loved it. I'd like to do more. But I am fine with no matter what. I possibly could not have imagined all of this. Will still be so surreal, so difficult that i can grasp. It's crazy! The greatest factor I must help remind myself would be to never change. Basically can just stay me through all this incredible stuff that's happening, I'll be okay. Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!