Britney Spears had an ear for real talent even when she was just starting out - she almost signed up American teen pop sensation JoJo when the newcomer was only eight-years-old.

Jojo met Spears backstage at a concert in the months after the 1999 release of her debut single ...BABY ONE MORE TIME, and impressed the then-teenage Spears with her talents.

The LEAVE (GET OUT) singer recalls, "I went backstage at a concert she was doing and her lawyer called me up and offered me a production deal with a company that she was starting."

Jojo had to turn her idol down because she felt too young to sign a contract - but she knew Spears was destined for greatness.

She adds, "She was definitely a rising star... She had that thing about her, I guess."

14/07/2004 09:54