R&B singer Brandy is keen to be her daughter’s friend because she wants eight-year-old Sy'rai to be able to talk to her about anything.

The singer/actress said that she wants to have a close-knit relationship with her daughter and doesn't want to have too much authority over her, because she believes it will make Sy'rai more honest with her as she grows up.

She told Parade.com: "A lot of mothers feel like they're the mom first, with that authority. But for me, I'm a friend first. I believe that just being there for my daughter as a friend more than 'I'm in charge.' causes her to be more open with me as a person.

"At the end of the day we're going to be friends. When she grows up, it'll be about that friendship that we'll have. She'll come to me for any problems that she has."