R&B legend Mary J. Blige has leaped to defense of Britney Spears, in wake of the pop star's hard-partying since her November split from husband Kevin Federline. Spears has been criticized by fans and the media for partying every night since she filed for divorce from Federline on November 7, and has barely been seen with her two young children Sean Preston, 15 months, and Jayden James, three months.

Reformed drug addict Blige says the singer is just going a bit wild with her newfound freedom and will soon settle down again.

Blige says, "I know that at some point in our lives we've had a situation like Britney's, meaning that we all were with someone we thought loved us and actually didn't. We make mistakes. I am looking at Britney as a human being just like myself. I messed up big time in my life.

"I love Britney and I send out all of my prayers and all great energy to her because she's young and she is going through it. She is going to get through. She is going to come out on the other side real nice I think."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)