X Factor USA judge Britney Spears has praised fellow panelist Demi Lovato for being so headstrong and "tough".

In an interview with TV Guide, the 'Till The World Ends' superstar explained that she's enjoying working alongside Lovato because she inspires her to embrace her strength as a woman in the entertainment business:

"She's a very good judge. She toughens me up! Sometimes I listen to you and I'm like, 'Oh, God, I've got to be a little stronger'," she said. "Even though she's really young, she has such a sophistication about her. She's cooler than me."

Lovato also added that because she has worked her way up in the music industry, much like Spears, she understands what it takes to make it and that experience helps her in her role on X Factor USA:

"We've done so much to get here. If you want to get here, you've got to put in the work. So I think that's why I'm a little tougher and why Britney's a little tougher. We don't give the horrific metaphors that Simon [Cowell] gives."

"I've said from day one, when [Britney] stepped on set, how funny she is. I don't think a lot of people have gotten to see her personality and her sense of humor."