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JR Martinez

JR Martinez's Baby Nursery For Lauryn Anabelle Martinez
Kid Shopping

Get the Details on J.R. Martinez's Emotionally Charged Nursery

J.R. Martinez's road to victory on Dancing With the Stars was an emotional one.
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J.R. Martinez's road to victory on Dancing With the Stars was an emotional one. So it's no surprise that when the Iraq War vet and his partner, Diana Gonzales-Jones, learned they were expecting a lil girl, he envisioned a sentimental nursery that was both comfortable and meaningful.

Like his fellow Dancing contestant Laila Ali, J.R. turned to LA's Little Crown Interiors to design the room of his dreams. Naomi Alon and Gerri Panebianco worked with the couple to completely redesign the nursery space to make it suitable for baby Lauryn Anabelle Martinez. Take a closer look at the carefully curated room — which is featured in this week's Life & Style — that is filled with a mix of modern and whimsical details.

Temporary Wallpaper For Easy Changes Glider and Pouf by Oilo Studio A Tie With the Flooring The Room's Centerpiece An All-American Crib and Changing Table Incorporating Baby's Initials A Special Book Case For a Special Collection
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Who Is JR Martinez?
TV

5 Things to Know About DWTS Winner JR Martinez

Iraq veteran and former soap star JR Martinez, 28, won over America and the judges to bring home the trophy on Dancing With the Stars last night.
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Iraq veteran and former soap star JR Martinez, 28, won over America and the judges to bring home the trophy on Dancing With the Stars last night. But it's clear from his positive attitude and resilience that JR was a winner before the competition even started. Here are five things to know about the guy we'll hopefully be seeing more of.

  1. JR Was only 19 when he was injured while serving in Iraq as a Humvee driver in 2003. His vehicle hit a land mine, and he was burned on more than 40 percent of his body. JR has undergone 33 different surgeries, including cosmetic procedures and skin graphs, since his injury.
  2. JR began working as a motivational speaker back in 2004. He's talked to audiences at the Clinton Global Initiative, colleges and universities, and for the US Army, covering topics including optimism and body acceptance. JR also appeared on Oprah and 60 Minutes.
  3. In 2008, he joined the cast of All My Children in the role of combat veteran Brot Monroe. The soap had put out a casting call hoping to find a real-life veteran for the role, and JR got the part.
  4. JR's mother is from El Salvador, and he is fluent in both Spanish and English. After winning last night, JR said, "I kept feeling someone tugging on my suspenders. It was my 4-foot-11 mom. I just kissed her and hugged her. I said, 'Can you believe that eight and a half years ago, you were teaching me how to walk?'"
  5. While JR will likely have more speaking appearances and acting roles lined up after his win, he's made it clear he's also dedicated to helping other vets. He recently helped get a new home for a fellow Iraq vet who lost his eye sight and leg and suffered burns on 60 percent of his body.