Hit me baby: Britney Spears looking forward to 30

LONDON (AP) — The singer who created a sensation when she hit the music world in pigtails and knee socks is turning 30 — and Britney Spears says she's looking forward to it.

The U.S. pop star will be on the South American leg of her "Femme Fatale" world tour as she celebrates the landmark birthday on Dec. 2.

Spears, who was once one of the Internet's most-searched names, says "I hear the older you get, the wiser you get and the more you know what you want — so hopefully it'll be a good year."

The singer kicks off a string of European tour dates on Thursday, but is not scheduled to play on the birthday itself.