Beyonce Knowles has confessed that at the height of her fame she was on the verge of a breakdown.

The soul singer recently revealed that, while her career was blossoming, her social life was going down the drain.

She tells US magazine Gotham, “Years ago, I was definitely heading for a breakdown.

"Just way too much work - my life was my career and I had no other life.”

The magazine hails Beyonce the "face and voice of America" as represented by the striking cover of their 'International Issue' which sees the singer's face made up in red, white and blue.

See Beyonce supporting Barack OIbama here