It is pure TV gimick just to add more emotion to the show. From auditions, boot camp to judge's house.. Melanie Amaro had been PERFECT.. even with Simon's reactions, she is his favorite. Everybody knows that. BUT why does he let her go? hahahhaah People will wonder, people will ask, people will get emotionally involved. then Simon gets her back. Simon wins!...he gets what he wants from the televiewers. He did it with ray quinn when leona lewis won, and he was runner up.