Images of Britney Spears shaving her head during a breakdown in 2007 were captured by more than 70 photographers, and became famous around the world, almost overnight.

In a new Channel 5 documentary, Britney Spears: Breaking Point, a tattoo artist who was there the night this happened, has claimed Britney confided in her about why she did it.

After leaving a rehabilitation clinic in Antigua, Britney had gone to the home of her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, asking to see their children, Sean and Jayden. When he refused, Britney drove to a nearby hair salon and asked hairdresser, Esther Tognozz to shave her head. In the documentary Tognozz states that she tried to persuade her not to, but as soon as her back was turned, Britney had grabbed the clippers and begun shaving her own head.

Britney with ex-husband Kevin Federline in 2006 Michael Caulfield Getty Images

"She had two bodyguards supposedly keeping an eye out to make sure the paparazzi were not getting any pictures," claimed Tognozz, but reportedly more than 70 paparazzi were still able to take pictures through the windows of the salon as the incident took place, while her security did nothing.

From there, Britney went to a nearby tattoo parlour and asked tattoo artist, Emily Wynne-Hughes for an inking of a woman's lips, followed by a cross. Wynne-Hughes, who has never spoken about that night before told interviewers for the documentary, "[I heard] an insane roaring sound outside. I wasn’t sure what was happening, if there was a riot outside and then the flashes came."

"I noticed her hair was gone. I remember asking here, 'why do you shave your head?'"



She claims Britney told her, "It was, you know, 'I just don't want anybody, anybody touching my head. I don't want anyone touching my hair. I'm sick of people touching my hair.'"

Many have linked this to the idea that Britney wanted control of her life and image, after reports claimed that music executives had been in control of every detail of her appearance since she first became famous at the age of 16.

Britney Spears / Jive Records YouTube

Speaking about her bodyguards, Wynne-Hughes backed up Tognozz claims that they didn't intervene, "It just didn't seem like they cared very much. I've felt this insane sense of anxiety and energy that felt so negative... It just seemed like everybody was waiting for the crash to happen."

Channel 5's Britney Spears: Breaking Point is available to watch here.

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