Jennifer Lopez Apologizes for Singing 'Happy Birthday' to Dictator

Jennifer Lopez apologized for singing “Happy Birthday” to the head of Turkmenistan during her show at the "Chime For Change: The Sound Of Change Live" concert. Jennifer Lopez said she wouldn’t have performed there at all if she was aware of the country’s human rights violations.

Jennifer Lopez performed in Turkmenistan, a former Soviet bloc country, on Saturday night. Jennifer Lopez said through a statement released today by her publicist said the who wasn’t a political event. The Jennifer Lopez concert was hosted by the China National Petroleum Corp. Jennifer Lopez sang “Happy Birthday” to the country’s head as a last-minute request made by the corporation. The company asked Lopez to sing it right before she took the stage. A statement from her reps said she "graciously obliged."

Jennifer Lopez’s concert was attended by Turkmenistan’s leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. Berdimuhamedow has come under fire by human rights organizations for his oppressive rule. Human Rights Watch said Turkmenistan is "among the most repressive in the world."

Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic, who was in the country last month as part of a United Nations visit, said Turkmenistan has made progress in the area of human rights, but "a lot more work is needed to complete this process and to ensure practice is in line with international standards."

The publicist for Jennifer Lopez said the event was vetted but, "Had there been knowledge of human rights issues any kind, Jennifer would not have attended."

Lopez isn’t the only celebrity to come under fire lately for performing in countries or for leaders with human rights violations. Hillary Swank had to apologize in 2011 for going to a birthday party for Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Kadyrov was been accused of torture and killings. Swan explained that she didn't fully understand event. Beyonce, Nelly Furtado, 50 Cent, Mariah Carey and Usher all performed at parties for former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Lopez publicist says that the singer has no other performances scheduled in the country. He didn’t say how much she was paid.