'I like bad boys,' says Ashley Tisdale as she goes topless for racy Maxim cover

PUBLISHED: 19:48, 9 April 2013 | UPDATED: 22:51, 9 April 2013

Ashley Tisdale is putting her High School Musical days well behind her with a racy new magazine cover.

The 27-year-old posed in frilly underwear and just an open leather jacket for the cover of America's Maxim.

The Scary Movie 5 actress - who has previously dated musician Jared Murillo and music video director Scott Speer - spoke about her taste in boyfriends in the accompanying interview.

Hell for leather: Ashley Tisdale goes topless for the new issue of America's Maxim magazine

The star, who is now in a relationship with Annie Automatic rocker Christopher French, told America's Maxim: 'There's definitely a thing where I like the dark, mysterious bad boy.'

However, she also admitted to a liking for 'surfer, blond frat guys'.

Ashley favours an 'old-school' approach to dating and would rather be honest about her feelings than play games with guys she likes.

Buddies: Ashley with Modern Family star Sarah Hyland at SiriusXM Radio in New York, on Tuesday

Style maven: The Kiss the Girl singer wore a white tunic dress for the event

Casual but chic: Sarah wore spay on skinny jeans and a loose blue floral printed top

Fashion mavens: Ashley wore a white tunic dress while Sarah donned spray on skinny jeans

She added: 'I'm definitely old-school when it comes to dating.

'I'm not into the 'game' so much. If I like you, I'll confront you and be open about it. Then I expect you to come after me.'

The High School Musical star has previously admitted she loves giving dating advice to people.

Gearing up: The 27-year-old prepared for her SiriusXM Radio interview with an iced coffee

'Mysterious bad boy': The star with her current flame, rocker Christopher French

She has said: 'I give dating advice on a regular basis. It's not that I'm any expert, but it's always nice to share that with your friends.'

Ashley's biggest relationship tip relates to the importance of communication.

She explained: 'Communication is so key. Especially in this business, I'm always traveling and doing something else. So I think communication is the foundation of it all.'