Deborah Gibson Comments on Britney Spears

DEBORAH GIBSON is one pop princess who is still going strong, with a career that began in the '80s when she was only 16 years old. She attributes a portion of her longevity to the fact that she has never been drunk in her life, done drugs, or even smoked a cigarette.

"If you want to be a good entertainer, you pretty much have to live a boring life," the "Only in My Dreams" singer says.

This despite publicity people encouraging her to add a little scandal to her life to help her career: "I'm like, 'You know what? Let the music speak for itself, and if it takes longer to get the attention, that's just fine.' [The scandalous life] is the easier road actually, that's what's scary about that," she tells ET.

Gibson credits her mother for being a stabilizing force in her life, and wishes that BRITNEY SPEARS had someone similar to help her through her own rough patch.

She says of the troubled pop star: "At this point, she's not in her right mind to make decisions for herself, and this is not her fault anymore. She has gotten away from the music, and, more importantly, she has gotten away from being a mom. There needs to be one person that is keyed into her mental wellbeing, and there is not that person around right now. I fear for her life at this point."

Gibson, who will be appearing at Harrah's in Atlantic City, May 6-24, is giving of her talent to other aspiring, young entertainers. She will oversee the vocal department at two two-week sessions at Camp Electric Youth, a performing arts summer day-camp geared towards serious performers ages 7 to 17, which she set up.

"I think on a business level -- and on an emotional level -- parents should learn how to care for a young performer, because being a young performer is a very intense and unique thing. It comes with its share of mental turmoil and different circumstances. I think that literally it should be taught, and we are going to do that as well. I set up this camp on my own. I want this to be really grassroots. It's been really scary and overwhelming in that regard."