Pop princess Britney Spears got her first taste of fame as a contestant on "Star Search" -- and is mourning the death of the show's longtime host, Ed McMahon.

"I am deeply saddened by today's news about Ed McMahon," Britney wrote on her Twitter. "He is responsible for giving so many artists their first shot, including myself. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed."

Brit appeared on "Star Search" in 1992, at the age of 10. She shot to international fame with her hit "...Baby One More Time," released in 1998.