J-Lo Performs for Oppressive Leader of Turkmenistan

Human Rights watch describes Turkmenistan leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow as "among the most repressive in the world."

And, apparently, he really wanted Jennifer Lopez to sing him "Happy Birthday." So, according to statement from Lopez's publicist, she "graciously obliged" to his unexpected request.

The singer was performing at an event in Turkmenistan on Saturday hosted by the China National Petroleum Co. when Berdimuhamedow made his request. Her publicist said the event was not political, and if Lopez had had any knowledge of the human rights violations, she would not have performed.

It's not as if anyone expects Jennifer Lopez to be an expert the human rights violations in Turkmenistan, but damn, celebrity publicists have sure been slacking this week. Maybe Paula Deen's people can take a lesson from Lopez's publicists and cobble together a better apology before she loses any more sponsors.