Pop star Justin Timberlake's mother claims she still loves her son's ex, Britney Spears, and it hurts her to see the pregnant popstar go through hell in the tabloids.

Lynn Harless admits Spears "grew up on my living room floor" and she was devastated when the diva and her son split up.

But while Timberlake's career is going smooth, Britney has given up music to become a mum, wife and tabloid target.

"I still love her to death. They (Justin and Britney) were together 10 of 11 years and had, from day one, that chemistry between them," Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.

"She's a sweet girl. I just hate what she's going through now," she added.