Cameron Diaz testifies in topless photo case

Cameron Diaz

LOS ANGELES - Actress Cameron Diaz said today that she posed topless for edgy photos more than 10 years ago in the hope of advancing her career as a model in the art magazine market.

But the "Charlie's Angels" star told a Los Angeles jury that she had never signed a release for the pictures and felt betrayed when the photographer who took them tried to sell them at the peak of her career for millions of dollars.

Dressed in a brown sweater and light slacks, Diaz appeared at ease throughout her testimony against photographer John Rutter, who took the pictures of the then-unknown 19-year-old Diaz in 1992.

Rutter, 42, has denied charges of forging Diaz's signature on a model release form and of attempted grand theft. He could face up to six years in prison if convicted. An earlier charge of extortion was dropped.

"The photos were to be used solely in publications of a quality that we agreed on," said Diaz, adding that she would have been horrified had they ended up in a pornographic magazine.

Diaz, 32, said she had been excited about the May 1992 shoot because it was an opportunity to break out of a teen-age modelling career that had been mainly confined to department store catalogues.

She also said she did not object to the content of the photos Rutter took.

"I thought my boobs looked good. At least I had that going for me," she said under cross examination, drawing laughs from the courtroom.

Some of the photos - showing Diaz in fishnet stockings, leather boots and a bustier - were shown in court. The actress said others taken at the session showed her topless.

Diaz recounted how Rutter contacted her in June 2003 while she was on a worldwide publicity tour days before the release of her movie "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."

Rutter said he had flown in from Paris the day before and had pictures he wanted to discuss. Diaz arranged to meet him at the office of her lawyer on June 23.

Rutter showed up with a lawyer and the photos and a video from the 1992 shoot, telling Diaz he had buyers all over the world willing to pay $5 ($NZ7.48) million for the material.

"He said he had many buyers and the people wanted to portray me as as dark angel in a bad light," said Diaz, who said Rutter demanded $3.3 million in two days from her to prevent the release of the pictures.

"I've never felt so violated. Nobody ever said, 'I'm going to hurt you.' It leaves a hole in my chest. It makes me sick to my stomach," said Diaz.

Defence lawyer Mark Werksman said Rutter was "guilty of being a nice guy" for giving Diaz the first opportunity to buy the photos. The case against Rutter, he added, was about a rich and powerful movie star seeking to "forever bury" embarrassing photographs.

Diaz, who also appeared in "The Mask" and lent her voice to the Princess Fiona character in "Shrek," has filed a civil suit seeking damages against Rutter that is scheduled for trial in October.

- REUTERS