Miss California Carrie Prejean in topless photo row

Melbourne, (ANI): Controversy refuses to die down on Miss California Carrie Prejean, who after losing the Miss USA crown for her anti-gay marriage views, has now landed in a new row over her birthday suit photo.

A topless picture showing the 21-year-old posing provocatively is making its rounds on the Internet. Prejean claims that she was a teenager when the photograph was taken, and that the shot was meant to be used in a portfolio.

"I am a Christian, and I am a model. Models pose for pictures including lingerie and swimwear photos," the Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying.

But officials at the Miss California USA organisation fear Prejean, as Miss California, may have put her role model status in danger, reports Pinkisthenewblog.com. Pageant spokesman Roger Neal revealed that, as per a clause in her Miss California USA contract, Prejean is barred from being "photographed in a state of partial or total nudity", reports Foxnews.com.

Prejean now faces the threat of being stripped off her title, and a decision regarding the matter is expected soon.