Britney Spears‘ former make-up artist has opened up about the singer’s well-publicised 2008 breakdown, saying the ‘light’ had gone from her eyes.

Julianne Kaye, who started as Britney’s make-up artist when she was just 23 years old, has spoken about how she feels the pressures of fame changed her friend.

Britney, 42, famously suffered a public breakdown in 2008 after checking out of rehab, which saw her shave her head and attack paparazzi with an umbrella.

Candid: Britney Spears’ former make-up artist has opened up about the singer’s well-publicised 2008 breakdown, saying she didn’t seem like herself

Speaking about this period in Britney’s life, when the conservatorship was then set up, Julianne said she was shocked that the star was still singing on stage and working.

‘She had her well-publicised breakdown and when I saw her on X Factor or whatever show she was doing, it was like the lights were on but nobody was home,’ she told The Mirror.

‘I was like, “That’s not Britney”, I thought, “If somebody just had a complete mental breakdown, why are they going back to work?” She didn’t look like herself ever again.’

Britney recently marked the one-year anniversary of the end of her 13-year conservatorship, taking to Instagram to rant about her estranged father Jamie, whom she’s currently suing for conservator abuse.

Pals: Addressing the conservatorship, Julianne said that the ‘light’ from Britney’s eyes disappeared across the 13 years, saying she still cares ‘very deeply’ for the star

Addressing the conservatorship, Julianne said that the ‘light’ from Britney’s eyes disappeared across the 13 years, saying she still cares ‘very deeply’ for the star.

‘Britney was a huge star, but during the conservatorship, the light that shined so brightly was gone, you could see it in her eyes,’ she added.

Speaking about the pressures of fame, Julianne claimed that Britney loved performing but struggled in the spotlight and just ‘wanted to be normal’.

Looking back: When Britney’s conservatorship was set up in 2008, Julianne said she was shocked that the star was still on stage. Pictured: Britney on The X Factor in November 2008

Fame: Speaking about the pressures of fame, Julianne claimed that Britney loved performing but struggled in the spotlight and just ‘wanted to be normal’

She went on to claim that she used to sneak out with Britney while they were on tour, with the global superstar disguising herself with wigs not to be recognised.

MailOnline has contacted Britney’s representatives for comment.

Her comments come after Britney deactivated her Instagram account for the sixth time, and the third time within the past four months.

The Toxic hitmaker once again deactivated her account, shortly after questions arose about whether or not Britney herself is actually in control of her account.

Absent: Her comments come after Britney deactivated her Instagram account for the sixth time, and the third time within the past four months

The questions were raised when Spears posted about her estranged sister Jamie Lynn Spears, sharing a sweet message to her sister, who she has been long estranged from.

Many believe a coded message to an unnamed celebrity was aimed at Jamie, with some speculating that the sweet message was actually sent by someone on her team.

She left her Twitter account active but did not give fans an update on the platform about why she has deleted Instagram again.

Social media: The Toxic hitmaker once again deactivated her account, shortly after questions arose about whether or not Britney herself is actually in control of her account

She previously deleted Instagram just a few weeks prior in mid-November, after she refused to join husband Sam Asghari on an Instagram Live session.

‘I don’t wanna jump in, I have nothing to say. I don’t wanna talk to them right now,’ she said on the live session, shortly before deactivating, but like she has previously, she reactivated just days later.

She also deactivated in mid-October, after going on a rant about how her family treated her during her 15-year conservatorship.

Questions: The questions were raised when Spears posted about her estranged sister Jamie Lynn Spears , sharing a sweet message to her sister, who she has been long estranged from

‘My dad always told me I was fat so! never felt pretty or good enough and I think the thing that made me feel the UGLIEST was the FEAR in being scared of what he would do… I looked uneasy, unattractive, not in my skin,’ she said.

Britney added that her father made her feel, ‘less than a f***ing dog,’ adding, ‘I pray you burn in hell you sorry son of a b***h!!!’

She also deactivated Instagram in late August, when she left fans a message on Twitter, revealing why she deleted her account.

‘I’m learning every day is a clean slate to try and be a better person and do what makes me happy … yes I choose happiness today,’ she said.

Sam Asghari plans adorable surprise birthday for Britney Spears

‘I tell myself every day to let go of the hurt bitterness and try to forgive myself and others for what may have been hurtful.’

‘I pray there actually is truth to the Holy Spirit and I hope that spirit is with my children as well,’ she said of her sons, Sean Preston, 17, and Jayden James, 16.

She added that she was ‘overwhelmed’ with the release of her song Hold Me Closer with Elton John, her first new song in six years.

Her husband Asghari has not yet said anything publicly about her deactivating Instagram, but he previously confirmed that Britney was in control of her Instagram and is responsible for the content on her page.

Couple: Her husband Asghari previously confirmed that Britney was in control of her Instagram and is responsible for the content on her page