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Jennifer Lopez cancels concert at northern Cyprus hotel

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Jennifer Lopez has canceled a concert planned for the July 24 opening of the Cratos Premium Hotel and Casino, responding to online pressure against the performance in the breakaway north of the island Cyprus.

“Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse,” says a statement posted Thursday on her website.

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“After a full review of the relevant circumstances in Cyprus, it was the decision of her advisors to withdraw from the appearance. This was a team decision that reflects our sensitivity to the political realities of the region.”

The island split violently into a Greek-speaking south and Turkish-speaking north after a 1974 invasion by Turkey; Turkish Cypriots in 1983 declared independence in the north, recognized only by Turkey. The rest of the island joined the European Union in 2004. Some saw Lopez’s planned performance as an endorsement of the breakaway state.

The gig, scheduled for J.Lo’s 41st birthday, reportedly would’ve come with a $3-million paycheck. Apparently, as Beyoncé may have learned after playing a little New Year’s Eve gig in St. Barth’s for a son of Moammar Kadafi, not every multimillion-dollar paycheck is worth it the hassle.

-- Christie D’Zurilla

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read more posts about Jennifer Lopez, presented by the Ministry of Gossip.


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