Audrina Speaks Out on Topless Pics

By Kristin Boehm and Mary Margaret

03/19/2008 at 11:45 AM EDT

Before she was on the Hills, Audrina Patridge wanted to be a model – a Playboy model, it appears. Nude photos of Lauren Conrad's sweet and innocent roommate surfaced Wednesday, revealing a slightly naughtier side (and a lot more of Patridge) than previously seen.

"I took these photos years ago when I was just out of high school and beginning to model," Patridge said through her rep after the pics were posted on the celeb blog What Would Tyler Durden Do (wwtdd.com). "I was young and very trusting of others and I didn't know to protect myself. It is a lesson learned, for myself, and hopefully for the young girls who look up to me."

Patridge – now 22 – was reportedly "always comfortable in front of the camera and wasn't shy or nervous about doing a nude shoot" at an L.A. mansion, sources at Splash News told What Would Tyler Durden Do. Her rep clarified to PEOPLE that "Audrina never wanted them submitted to Playboy. And there were taken nearly 5 years ago." TMZ.com was first to post Patridge's reaction.