Britney Spears has come a long way since her days as a Mouseketeer, but the pop music superstar turned "X-Factor" judge hasn't forgotten how hard it is to break into show business.

"I'm a fair judge. Sometimes it is hard because I know what they've been through, and been so young," Spears told FOX411 during the show's Oakland auditions on Monday. "It's such a subtle and delicate situation when they're that young. So you just have to use constructive criticism and be there for them and show them support."

The pop princess certainly isn't trying to outdo her often harsh co-judge -- and boss -- Simon Cowell.

"I don't think I'm the toughest judge at all. I definitely think Simon would have to be the toughest judge," she added. "But I'm just looking for something that shows spark and spunk and someone that is meant to do what they are doing."

And it seems there was at least one hopeful that brought tears to Spears' eyes as she sat alongside Cowell, L.A Reid and Demi Lovato to determine who goes on to the next round.