Jennifer Lopez apologized Sunday after a barrage of criticism followed her singing "Happy Birthday" to the leader of Turkmenistan, a country described by human rights groups as "among the most repressive in the world."
The singer and actress performed in the former Soviet bloc country on Saturday night. A statement released Sunday by her publicist to the Associated Press said the event was hosted by the China National Petroleum Corp. and wasn't a political event.
However, the country's leader, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, attended. Berdimuhamedow has been criticized for his oppressive rule by Human Rights Watch and similar organizations.
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Lopez's publicist said the event was vetted by Lopez's staff: "Had there been knowledge of human rights issues any kind, Jennifer would not have attended."
The birthday serenade was a last-minute request made by the corporation to Lopez before she took the stage, and she ...
