Mischa Barton has stripped off for her riskiest photo shoot yet as she poses topless for a U.S. magazine.

In an interview with the August edition of Nylon, the 22-year-old speaks of her embarrassment following her arrest for driving under the influence in December.

In a series of provocative shots for the publication, the former O.C. star poses without her bra as she smoulders with Bridget Bardot-style smoky eye shadow and messy, layered hair.

(Don't) grin and bare it: Mischa Barton flashes the flesh for a risque photoshoot with Nylon magazine

Mischa, who leaped to fame playing spoilt teen Marissa Cooper in the glossy drama in 2003, was arrested just days after Christmas for driving under the influence.

The actress was sentenced to three years probation and to complete a three-month course in alcohol education after pleading no contest to drink driving charges in April.

Recalling the incident in the interview, Mischa admits she was shocked at her arrest, because it grouped her with other young Hollywood stars she would prefer not to be associated with.

Mischa has often attempted to disassociate herself from socialites Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan, who have also been arrested for DUI in recent years.

Bardot-esque: Mischa Barton just about preserves her modesty in the seventies-style shoot for Nylon magazine

She said: 'That was a low point for me. I never, ever would have thought I would be arrested.

'I was disappointed because it associated me with a group of girls that I would rather not be associated with. That was the biggest bummer for me – I didn’t leave my house. I was too embarrassed.

'They made such a big deal out of it with these other young actresses, that, for a little bit, I wanted to crawl into a hole and die.'

She added: 'It was a stupid thing to do. But I’ve done a lot to pay back for what I did.'

Daisy lady: Mischa admitted she was embarassed by her DUI arrest in December and has learnt her lesson

Mischa also confirmed rumours she had turned down a role in new TV show Gossip Girl, which like The O.C. centres on a group of rich teens.

Belittling the show as simply an East Coast version of The O.C., which was set in Orange County, California, Mischa said: 'I was offered to play a role, but just because I’ve come out of ‘The OC,’ why would I want to go back on another series that is exactly the same?.

'It’s just not what I wanted to do, and it’s not the kind of material I’m looking for.'

Currently living in Paris, Mischa has a string of films out this year, including Assassination Of A High School President, You And I, Homecoming, Don't Fade Away and Walled In.

The full interview is in the new August issue of Nylon magazine, on sale at U.S. newstands now.

Cover girl: Mischa Barton 'smokes' a daisy on the racy cover of Nylon magazine