Britney Spears has insisted that she has not become the harshest judge onThe X Factor USA - and said working on the show has been "a lot of fun".
The pop star, 30, has already judged auditions in Kansas City and San Francisco. She and Demi Lovato have [uuid=6bd5a8b4-3ac2-43b0-8621-b82219f1dfd2]joined existing judges[/uuid] Simon Cowell and LA Reid on the panel for the show's second year Stateside.
She told the show's official site: "It's been fun, it's been a lot of fun.
"I think I'm a fair judge. Sometimes it's kind of hard because I know what they've been through and being so young... it's such a delicate situation when they're that young.
"You just have to use constructive criticism and be there for them and show them support... I'm looking for someone who shows spark and spunk.
"I don't think I'm the toughest judge at all. I definitely think Simon would have to be the toughest judge."
She was reunited with her former backing singer Don Phillips, who was taking part in the San Francisco auditions - and the two shared a fond embrace. But he was later reported by Digital Spy to have tweeted some bitchy comments about Britney after his audition went poorly.
He apparently tweeted: "Back to real life… all my demons released… i totally crocked when the pressure was on… at least I didnt shave my head… my vocal chords tightened up like a snake around a mouse.
"A couple tears later… and I am standing tall… I am free and God is good. I know some people say I havent taken care of my vocals over the past ten years… but its funny my worst is there best… minus autotune… its all good."