Jubilation, anger in divided Cyprus after JLo cancels controversial show in breakaway north

JLo cancels controversial north Cyprus performance

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Greek Cypriots are celebrating while rival Turkish Cypriots are lamenting a decision by U.S. diva Jennifer Lopez to call off a controversial show in the divided island’s breakaway north.

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

Greek Cypriots on Friday hailed Lopez’s withdrawal “a victory”. They saw her appearance as helping legitimize the island’s division. It was split into a Greek speaking south and a Turkish speaking north in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece.

Turkish Cypriots called the cancellation part of a Greek Cypriot campaign to keep them isolated.