Crossover Dreams

If Shakira wants to be taken seriously in her attempt to capture the U.S. market (“Across the English Divide,” by Agustin Gurza, Nov. 4), she should begin by avoiding any more garish performances like the one she executed at last year’s inaugural Latin Grammy Awards. That spectacle belonged more in a second-rate Las Vegas lounge act rather than on national TV.

Her lyrics are, indeed, more polished than the usual fare we get from some novelty Latino acts. However, any credibility she has attained is certain to be lost if she continues her corporate sellout journey as evidenced in her Pepsi commercial.

I predict she will succumb to the predictable career paths of other Latin performers, meaning, her ultimate nirvana will be sappy novelas .

CESAR MADRID

Orange