Just 22 years old, Ashley Alexandra Dupre (better known as Kristen), is an unwitting star in a steamy drama that took down New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

Kristen, described in an affidavit as having a February 13 rendezvous with Eliot Spitzer at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, has spent the last few days in her ninth-floor rental in an upscale New York apartment.

According to the New York Times, Ashley Alexandra Dupre made a brief appearance in court Monday as a witness in the case against four people charged with operating the infamous prostitution ring known as Emperor's Club V.I.P.

In a series of telephone interviews Tuesday and today, Ashley Alexandra Dupre said she had slept little over the past week due to the stress from the case.

"I just don't want to be thought of as a monster," the pretty New Jersey native - 5-foot-5 and 105 pounds - said as she revealed the tiniest tidbits of her story.

Born Ashley Youmans but now known as Ashley Alexandra Dupre or "Kristen," she spoke softly, with good humor, and added with significant understatement:

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

Ashley Alexandra Dupre has not been charged as of this post.

The lawyer appointed to represent her, Don D. Buchwald, told a judge in court on Monday that she was subpoenaed to testify in a grand jury investigation.

Eliot Spitzer, who is married to Silda Spitzer and has three teenage daughters, announced today that he will resign as governor effective Monday.

Continue reading about "Kristen" in the New York Times ...