Britney Spears Inspired by Ex-Boyfriend Justin Timberlake, Beyonce

 

 

Britney Spears -- she's just like Us! The new Vegas resident, who ushered in the opening of her two-year stint at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino last weekend, opened up to USA Today about which music megastars inspire her most.

The pop princess, 32, told the paper that one of her role models is none other than Queen Bey herself: "What she did with her (surprise release) album was genius, really brilliant," Spears said of Beyonce, 32, who stunned the world with her self-titled, fifth studio album in mid-December. Spears, meanwhile, released her eighth studio album Britney Jean on Dec. 3.

The "Perfume" singer added that she is also a fan of New Zealand pop sensation Lorde for being "really different and cool, and Bruno Mars, for being "so different and fresh." Most shocking of all, however, was her nod to ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake.

"It's inspiring for me," she said of her first love's music. "It makes people eager to listen to music, which helps everyone," she added of the "Mirrors" crooner, whom she famously dated from 1999 to 2002. (Timberlake married actress Jessica Biel in 2012.)

Spears also gave a nod to Miley Cyrus, who was actually in the crowd along with Katy Perry and Selena Gomez on Friday, Dec. 27 for the opening night of Britney: Piece of Me. "She's cool, she's fun to be around. You know, she's got really good energy," said the blonde bombshell of the Bangerz singer.