Jennifer Lopez goes ahead with homecoming gig despite backlash

Jennifer Lopez told residents of her former New York neighbourhood she was "happy to be home" as she performed her first concert there on Wednesday (04Jun14) despite an outcry from locals.

The Jenny From The Block hitmaker faced resistance after announcing plans to play a gig in Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, the tough neighbourhood where she grew up.

It was her first show in the area since she shot to fame with her debut album On the 6 in 1999, but locals weren't so welcoming - members of the City Island Civic Association urged authorities to cancel the event amid fears it would cause chaos on the roads.

Officials refused to bow to pressure and Lopez graced the stage as scheduled in front of thousands of fans, performing tracks such as If You Had My Love and Jenny From The Block.

She told the crowd, "I'm so happy to be home."

During the concert, Lopez gave a nod to the notorious green Versace dress she wore to the 2000 Grammy awards by wearing a swimsuit-style costume in a similar print.

After the gig , she tweeted: "Had so much fun tonight! Thank you #JLovers #JLoComingHome."

However, some Bronx natives bemoaned the fact the star had failed to put on a show for her community in 15 years. One told the New York Post, "She's been making all this money... but she doesn't even help out the neighbourhood. Most of the people I know think she's a sellout."