Britney Spears claims that nobody really knows her and that she has guarded her private life from the public as much as possible.

The 'Womanizer' hitmaker said:

"I can be pretty guarded with my personal life and I've learned that's okay. I think your personal life is your personal life, and that should stay private."

The Grammy-award winning singer was also asked about her children Sean Preston, 5, and Jayden James, 4, and how she would feel if they were to follow her footsteps into the world of superstardom.

"I'd definitely keep an eye on them, but if that's what they wanted to do then I'd let them go after it. I'd just be very protective."

She has learned the importance of trusting her instincts in the music industry and added: "I wouldn't want them to go into it feeling fearful, and also nobody can really prepare you for this industry and what you experience, so I'd just have to trust that they have the instincts to know what's right and wrong and help guide them along the way."

The pop superstar will be attending the MTV 2011 Video Music Awards tonight (August 28). She has been nominated for two awards and will be given a tribute performance during the show.

Watch the behind-the-scenes video for her MTV VMAs promo here: