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Singer Jennifer Lopez has put the kibosh on a show in the Turkish-controlled north of Cyprus. The performance came under fire from Greek Cypriots, who started an online campaign calling for the gig to be canceled.
"Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse," a statement on Lopez's website said.
"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."


Lopez, her husband singer Marc Anthony and their two children were due to stay at the Cratos Premium Hotel, located in a region where thousands of Greek Cypriots were displaced from in 1974. She was booked to perform there on July 24.
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.

A-listers such as Cate Blanchett, Daniel Craig, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Jude Law, Madonna, Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Naomi Watts, bring smaller, specialized projects to the Cinema Society. Likewise, films that draw excess attention, such as "The Twilight Saga," may use the privacy of a smaller Cinema Society gathering to screen a film with a select group in a setting that doesn't require Biblical-scale crowd control.

Piaget sponsored "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" on Monday, June 28, with the thought of connecting to an affluent youth audience. "Please keep details of the evening completely confidential beforehand," mentioned the Luxist invite. The secret location: The boutique Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, which boasts a well-appointed but discreet screening room at basement level.

On the red carpet, Kristen Stewart wore RM by Roland Mouret, a short dress with swirls of large paillettes and spiky, 4-inch Louboutins. Her hair was newly colored brunette for her role in "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. It was tied back loosely with braids to achieve a "ready for the gala but fell asleep" look. On the carpet, a tiny Stewart lost the Louboutins to chat with press.

During the screening, Luxist was seated next to Abigail Breslin and her mother. Other notables included Sofia Vergara of Modern Family, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20, fashionista Rachel Zoe, and supermodels Dree Hemingway and Maggie Rizer.



That said, Luxist gives high marks to the food at the Crosby Street Hotel afterfete: beef sliders, chicken curry, crab cakes, squash, and goat cheese risotto. "Eclipse" fete food: Two thumbs way up.

Pop princess Britney Spears is joining the growing club of celebrities-turned-designers, launching her own fashion collection that targets the schoolgirl crowd.
Spears, 28, has designed her first collection of clothing and accessories for the Iconix Brand Group Inc's Candie's brand for which she has been the face for the past three seasons.


In an interview with InStyle.com, Spears explains how she came up with the ideas for the line. "First, I met with the Candie's designers and told them what my favorite styles are. Then, we sketched the items together," she explained. "I loved it when I saw the samples for the first time."
"I used a lot of studs and lace, because I wanted to make the clothes cool and edgy yet girly. I also love jeans, so I had to make sure there were some great pairs in the collection. And I love jewelry so there are a lot of fun pieces," she continued. "There are great necklaces and big earrings."


"Designing was a really fun, new way for me to express my creativity and I really wanted to create something by me for my fans," Spears said in a statement.
She said the collection, inspired by her favorite music and movies, as a mixture of day and evening looks, ranging from jeans to little black dresses.