Base64 Image in form data returns blank $errors and old() arrays

I am doing some funky JS on an image so a user can crop images when uploading them to a site. Once the user is done with cropping the image, it takes the base64 encoded image string and adds it to a hidden field in the form, which is then used by the Laravel image manipulation functionality and creates the image.

The issue is, when i pass the base64 string through the form Laravel returns a blank $errors array, and also a blank old() array.

However, i know there are errors in the form because some of the fields are not filled in which have required validation, if i submit the form without the base64 string the validation comes back as normal. But as soon as i add it in, nothing.