Emily in Paris: Loving Mindy doesn't mean we need all the singing

Emily in Paris wrapped up its fifth installment with a chaotic season finale. A lot happens between the bestfriends Mindy Chen and Emily Cooper, especially after Emily learns that Mindy has been lying to her about her growing bond with Alfie. However, the bestfriends clear their misunderstandings, and they are back together. In the finale, when Nico proposes to Mindy in Venice, she accepts the proposal. However, when Emily asks her about her feelings for Alfie, she does not utter a word, meaning she's still confused.

Apart from their chaotic lives, what usually catches the attention of the viewers is Mindy Chen's singing sessions. Mindy Chen has always been one of the most liked characters. She's warm, effortlessly funny, and loyal. Ashley Park aces the role. Viewers love Mindy, and that's not up for debate.

From singing Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso in Season 5 to grooving to her OG song Mon Soleil in Season 2, one thing has been constant in Emily in Paris and that's Mindy's singing. We love Mindy and her antics, but do we really need all that singing? Over the seasons, her musical numbers have grown from a character detail to a recurring feature, and sometimes as a filler. This has caused a divide among the fans.

Here's more about it.

Opinion disclaimer: This article contains the author's opinions. Reader's discretion is advised.

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Mindy Chen's singing scenes in Emily in Paris divide fans

Firstly, let's put it straight, the issue isn't talent. Ashley Park is a trained Broadway performer with a powerful voice and stage presence to match. The problem is the placement, frequency, and the narrative payoff.

Often, viewers feel that the songs appear too often and they linger for too long. In a show that is mostly about fashion, workplace drama, and friendship, these musical interludes feel like a detour. What once felt like a fun surprise begins to resemble filler.

Secondly, sometimes it does not match the setting. Don't get me wrong, the performances aren't bad, but at times, it's unnecessary and disrupts the flow. Honestly, it seems like Mindy now performs at almost every Emily's marketing event. Yes, I know it was Emily who encouraged her to restart her singing career, and Mindy's her go-to singer for hire for the events. However, now it's mostly irrelevant, at times gaudy and cringeworthy too.

Thirdly, the repetition diverts focus from Mindy's layered backstory. The family conflicts, cultural pressure, and her complicated relationships, which once brought emotional weight, are often sidelined due to the misplaced singing sequences.

This is where it turns disappointing for many fans. Viewers are expecting more scenes of Mindy that explore her past, her choices, and her relationships. At this moment, the singing doesn't add depth to her character. Mindy's voice isn't the problem, but the imbalance is. What fans want is for her signing return to be occasional, meaningful, and story-driven.

In a Reddit thread that discusses her latest Espresso performance in Emily in Paris Season 5, here's what the fans had to say:

"If there is a season 6 I need less Mindy or no Mindy music numbers" commented @nonsenseaswell

While another Reddit user shared similar thoughts,

"I like Mindy, but the constant musical numbers have got to stop. I fast forward every time." commented @Unusual_Lie7201

"I mentally tune out mindys god awful, cringe inducing musical numbers.They feel extremely gratuitous at this point. Like the producers are throwing Ashley a little self indulgent bone to showcase her singing." wrote @No-Taro-6539

However, if we roll back into an old Reddit thread from 3 years ago, we can see how fans loved Mindy's performance.

" Love her voice and was happy that there were more scenes of her performing. Definitely a highlight for me," said @u/IfOnlyCatsNCaffeine

While another commented,

"Mindy is my favorite character on the show And her singing is the cherry on top!" wrote @u/Few-Garden276

Thus, Mindy's performance isn't the issue; it's the frequency and the setting that must be looked into before adding her performance.

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Does Ashley Park really sing in Emily in Paris?

The answer to this is yes. Ashley Park, who plays Mindy Chen, Emily's bestie in the series, does sing in Emily in Paris. She's a Broadway actress who even bagged a Grammy Award nomination in 2016 for Best Musical Theatre album. So, whether it's the rendition of Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso in Season 5, Dua Lipa's Don't Start Now or her OG French pop Mon Soleil and Beautiful Ruins, it's Parker singing them.

Also Read: Emily in Paris Season 5 Episode 8 recap

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