'American Idol' hopeful Chris Medina's heartbreaking love story reads like a Nicholas Sparks novel. The 26-year-old Barista was on the verge of marrying his fiancee, Juliana Ramos, after a two-year engagement when she was involved in an automobile accident that resulted in serious brain trauma and left her confined to a wheelchair.

However, Medina's love and devotion to Ramos did not waiver. Where another man might have fled, Medina dedicated himself to his fiancee, becoming her caretaker, along with Ramos's mother.

Indeed, Medina's story could break even the hardest of hearts. But does it have a place in what's supposed to be a talent competition?

After fans and critics finished wiping away the tears, the question of Medina's "personal" edge in the competition came into play. Like the case of fellow Milwaukee audtioner and season eight finalist, Danny Gokey, some feel Medina's story might make an average performance seem a bit larger than life. After all, not every contestant get's to have the kind of interaction Medina and his fiancee had with the judges. But then again, not every contestant has been through the kind of life-changing tradgedy these two have.

And then there's the issue of exploitation on the producers part. After nine seasons, we're accustomed to 'Idol' sob stories but when does telling a constant's personal story begin to border on bad taste?

The truth is, it really doesn't matter what we, the viewers at home think. We're weren't in the room when Medina and Ramos had their moment with the judges. Instead, we're sitting at home watching it from the cold distance of our televisions. If Chris Medina and his fiancee drew any strength and comfort from the moment, that's all we can ask for.

'American Idol' airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM ET on Fox