Soy caliente,” Naya Rivera’s Santana Lopez explains late in Glee’s third season episode “The Spanish Teacher.” The “el” Santana is talking about is queer icon Ricky Martin, who is playing the instalment’s titular Spanish teacher, David Martinez.
David and Santana have just finished a rousing performance of Madonna’s “La Isla Bonita,” masterfully turning what was initially a “Latin-inspired” song from a white pop star into a number by Latin people. “Hey, wasn’t that number fantastic and truly authentic,” she continues, her word dripping with pointed pride.