We're pretty sure Britney doesn't know what 'tonsure' means ...

... but it may be a good PR move to say the influence behind her new G.I. Jane look was a spiritual one (instead of just plain crazy), a la 1980s Chinese TV star Chen Xiaoxu, who recently went bald to begin her life as a Buddhist monk:

Chen Xiaoxu became a household name in China in the 1980s after being cast the lead role as Lin Daiyu in the TV soap opera "Dream of the Red Mansion", an adaptation of the Chinese Qing Dynasty literary classic of the same name.

Following this popular role, however, Chen Xiaoxu did not pursue an acting career. She disappeared from public view for several years until re-catching people's attention, this time, as a successful businesswoman and billionaire in advertising.

There's a little irony here: In the novel, Lin Daiyu dies and her lover becomes a monk. Sorry to ruin the ending for all of you.