OUT OF THE SHADOWS: Ms Dupre admits to having used drugs and being 'broke and homeless'. -- PHOTO: AP

The brunette - identified in federal court papers as 'Kristen', a callgirl for the Emperors Club VIP agency - was revealed to be Ashley Alexandra Dupre, 22, the New York Times reported.

'I just don't want to be thought of as a monster,' Ms Dupre, an aspiring R'n'B singer from a broken home in New Jersey, was quoted as telling the newspaper.

'This has been a very difficult time. It is complicated.'

On her page on MySpace, a social networking site, Ms Dupre - who was born Ashley Youmans - describes herself as coming from a 'broken home' in New Jersey.

She also admits to having used drugs, been abused, and been 'broke and homeless'.

But before the Spitzer scandal broke, at least, she had clearly grown a lot happier with her life, writing: 'I live in New York and am on top of the world.

'Been here since 2004 and I love this city, I love my life here. But, my path has not been easy.'

Ms Dupre, who has not been charged, declined to comment on her relationship with Mr Spitzer.

However, the New York Times, which spoke to her over the telephone, said she could be a witness in the case against the Emperors Club VIP, the prostitution racket at the centre of the scandal.

Mr Spitzer is alleged to have been the Client 9 named in a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors last week.

The complaint suggested that Client 9 had used Emperors Club VIP's services before and detailed how he arranged to have 'Kristen' brought from New York to Washington for US$4,300 (S$5,900) for about two hours.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE