Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez, who performed for Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in his home country, says she would not have done the concert if she had knowledge about his record on human rights issues.
The 43-year-old singer has been criticised by human rights groups for singing 'Happy Birthday' to the 56-year-old politician, reported E! Online.
"Lopez's performance was said to be part of a concert sponsored by China National Petroleum Corporation that was presented to their local executives in Turkmenistan. And was not a government sponsored event or political in nature.
"The event was vetted by her representatives, had there been knowledge of human rights issues of any kind, Jennifer would not have attended," said Lopez's representative in a statement.
Lopez agreed to sing 'Happy Birthday' after "the China National Petroleum Corporation made a last minute birthday greeting request prior to Jennifer taking the stage," the statement added.
