Keri Hilson praises Britney Spears

R&B star Keri Hilson has voiced her respect for Britney Spears following the singer's recent troubles.

The pair are currently working together on Britney's forthcoming sixth studio album. Keri previously penned 'Gimme More', which appeared on Spears's 2007 disc Blackout.

"Britney, she's special," Keri explained. "She really isn't the puppet that people make her out to be. She has an opinion and she's a very, very bright girl. She's a pleasure to work with. You won't find any diva behaviour in there."

"She's a very, very sweet person, takes direction very well," Hilson continued. "I can't say that she's guarded, but I understand why she doesn't want to talk about certain things, and I respect that about her."

Hilson is currently preparing to promote her first solo album In A Perfect World, which will be released in September.