Alli Sims defends Britney's parenting skills

She's been best known for hanging out with Britney Spears, but now her "cousin" Alli Sims is aiming for a pop career of her own.

Blogs have been watching Sims's Web site closely, and on Monday Spears's former assistant updated it to include her first song – a cover of "On My Own," from the stage musical Les Misérables.

And, the newly launched singer tells PEOPLE, she already has a staunch supporter in Spears.

Shrugging off rumors that Britney resented her decision to pursue her lifelong dream, Sims, 26, says: "She heard my songs on the laptop and was like, 'I love this song! This is you singing?' She has always been supportive."

As for Spears's parenting skills, which have come under fire recently, Sims tells PEOPLE in its new issue, "She's a wonderful mom and she is so hands-on. ... Britney loves those babies to death. And they adore her."

When it comes to her former employer, Sims adds, "I love her, she's beautiful inside and out. We're still great friends."

Source: People