Actress Cameron Diaz Thursday told of modeling as a teenager during the Los Angeles trial of a photographer who threatened to release topless photos of her.

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Diaz, 35, was relaxed and used her hands as she told the Los Angeles County Superior Court she began modeling as a Long Beach, Calif., high school student, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Modeling was "something I always wanted to do," she said.

Her manager Rick Yorn earlier testified photographer John Rutter called him in 2003 and demanded money or he would release the topless photos taken when Diaz was 19.

Yorn called the photos forwarded to him by Rutter "cheesy" and "outdated."

Rutter is charged with trying to sell the photos by forging Diaz's signature on a release form. He is charged with attempted grand theft, forgery and perjury. A charge of extortion was dropped.