J-Lo cancels controversial show

July 10, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

NICOSIA, Cyprus

Jennifer Lopez called off a controversial birthday show in the breakaway north of Cyprus, provoking celebrations Friday by Greek Cypriots while Turkish Cypriots denounced the move.

The furor over a luxury hotel inauguration showed how easily bitter rivalry can flare up between Cypriots across the ethnic divide, even as the two sides are locked in fruitless peace talks.

Reports that Lopez would perform at a hotel in the breakaway Turkish north on her 41st birthday this month triggered a Greek Cypriot online campaign pushing for cancellation.

Greek Cypriots viewed Lopez’s July 24 appearance as helping legitimize the Mediterranean island’s violent division. Cyprus was split into a Greek-speaking south and a Turkish- speaking north in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

Turkish Cypriots declared an independent state in 1983 that is recognized only by Turkey, which maintains 35,000 troops there. Both sides have come closer in recent years, but hopes are fading that long-drawn peace talks can reach a reunification deal any time soon.

Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004, but the north remains out in the cold without direct flights or trade links with the outside world.

An official at the Cratos Premium hotel near the northern coastal resort of Kyrenia told The Associated Press that Lopez had signed a contract to perform as part of opening celebrations and would have arrived “with her friends and family.” Reports said Lopez would earn a $3 million appearance fee.

Attempts by The Associated Press to contact Lopez’s publicist and confirm details of the New York-born star’s appearance went unanswered.