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Disney darling Demi Lovato debuts next week as the youngest judge on the new season of Simon Cowell's The X Factor and the star reacted Wednesday to Simon's recent characterization of her as a "brat." 

"He calls me a brat, it's okay," Lovato told the Today show's Natalie Morales. Despite being new to the show and just 20 years old, Lovato said she's not afraid to verbally spar with entertainment mogul Cowell, who created the show. "He's just intimidated by my responses (on the show).... I give it back to him."

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As far as her judging style on the panel that also includes pop star Britney Spears and music producer L.A. Reid, the singer/actress said she just tries to give an honest opinion. "And sometimes it may seem a little harsh, but I try to say it as nicely as possible," she said. "Sometimes it does come off harsh, because it's brutally honest and they don't want to hear it."

But overall, Lovato said working alongside her fellow judges has been an "absolutely incredible" experience. "I never thought I'd be sitting next to Britney Spears for anything in my life, let alone working with her all the time. That's amazing. And then Simon and L.A. Reid, they're so intelligent and awesome."

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