A chink in Melinda's armor

So, it's Latin week, and I'm wondering if they're going to really try to get into the Latin sound, really sing some real Latin music, or if it's going to be a disappointment for Latino population. Having Jennifer Lopez as the resident Latina is not a great sign, but I'll try to keep an open mind. I don't want to bash her too bad - I loved the remix of "Waiting for Tonight" and while I don't think she has real singing talent, she has made some entertaining music. However, in my mind, she is first, an incredible dancer, second, a passable actress, and in a distant third, a marketable singer. So, it seems odd to me that she would be viewed as a mentor of any kind to people looking to showcase their musical talents. But like I said, open mind...

Melinda Doolittle goes first and chooses to sing "Sway." Just as an aside, I usually try to include the original singer of the song, or the writer or composer or whatever - I'm not always on the money, but I make the attempt. Tonight, I'm not even going to try - only because I'm guessing that these songs have been recorded in both English and Spanish and I don't want to have to debate about what the original version is.

Anyway, moving on, Jennifer Lopez says that she saw Melinda get sexy and sultry for a second while singing her song and tells Melinda to work it, to go onstage with the idea that she is the sexiest, sultriest singer out there. And of course, Melinda gets all shy about it. Ugh... I wish she'd get over it already. She says that this will be her biggest challenge because she says she is so not sexy.

Well, her hair is not going to help her this week in being sexy - it makes her look much older than she is. And the pearls... while they may add class, they certainly don't add sex appeal. As for her singing, of course, it's great. She tries to dance a little and get a little sexy with it and it's not bad - I thought maybe she'd look awkward, but she's pulling this off pretty well, I think.

Of course the Spanish version of this song - I believe it's called "Quien Sera" - is much better, but if it has to be in English, who better to sing it than Melinda?

Randy tells her it was another solid performance, not her best, but solid. Paula tells her it was very smooth and sultry. Simon says, "Well, it had to happen, Melinda. I didn't like it." he says the song is all about personality and that she appeared much older than she is and that is very cabaret. He tells her that someone as good as her, at this stage of the competition needs to go out every week and put on a "wow factor" performance and that this wasn't it - that it was lazy and wooden and that he thinks she's better than that.

Melinda's response, for the record, is awesome. Ryan asks her if she was worried about what Simon might say and she says no. She says, "I'm happy because I think he really wanted to say something bad and I'm glad he got the chance." Hilarious.