Time Square painted lady no longer feels safe posing topless after being punched by woman

• Amanda Roman, 23, was punched in the face by a woman in Times Square
• Painted lady was talking to a sightseer when Angela L. Portalatin hit her
• Both were arrested after scrap in New York tourist landmark on Saturday
• Now Roman says she 'doesn't feel protected' when posing topless in NYC
• Fracas is just the latest trouble to involve controversial semi-nude women

Painted lady Amanda Roman, who was called a 'nasty wh**e' by a woman who punched her in the face in Times Square, says she does not feel safe

A painted lady says she no longer feels safe posing topless in Times Square after she punched in the face and called a 'nasty wh**e'.

Amanda Roman, 23, was attacked by a woman in front of the huge crowds gathered at the New York City landmark. 

Roman, one of a group of bare-breasted women who have caused controversy in recent weeks, says she 'doesn't feel protected' by police officers stationed in the square.

She was back taking pictures with tourists for tips in Times Square again today and spoke to the New York Post.

The painted lady said: 'I just got attacked yesterday, why would I feel safe? I don’t feel afraid here, but I don’t feel protected.

'All these cops are supposedly here to protect us, but they take their sweet time. I got roughed up before they got over to help.

'We’re not doing anything wrong; some people are just crazy.'

Roman, who was wearing just a thong and red, white and blue paint when she was attacked, was talking to a female tourist when Angela Portalatin came at her.

Both of the women were arrested although a video taken at the scene showed people trying to defend Roman, who says Portalatin was the first to throw a punch. 

Passer-by Mitchell Norman, 29, told the Post that the woman knocked the painted lady 'out of nowhere'.

He said: 'Some girl from out of nowhere said, "You nasty! I don't like the way you look," and then punched her in the face for no reason.'

Roman (pictured being handcuffed) was attacked by a crazed woman who called her a 'nasty wh**e' before punching her in the face

Roman, 23, was talking to a female tourist when the woman (pictured being handcuffed) suddenly hit her in front of the huge crowds gathered at the New York City landmark

Tourist Donna Myer, from Florida, said she was chatting to Roman because she wanted her to pose with her husband. 

She said: 'I didn't have no money. I said, "Let me go to the bank." The girl turned around, who was walking by, and said: "You're a nasty whore! You disgust me!" Then she just came over and started beating the hell out of her!'  

The women were reportedly seen fighting on the floor before police intervened. Both women were released and are understood to be expected to receive summonses. 

The fracas is the latest trouble to involve painted ladies in Times Square.

Last week one of the topless women was accused of offering oral sex and drugs to an undercover police officer. 

Last week one of the topless women (not pictured in this photograph) was accused of offering oral sex and drugs to an undercover police officer 

Mayor Bill de Blasio said topless performers, such as those above, could be removed from Times Square

Destiny Romero, 20, was arrested just before midnight on Wednesday after allegedly offering the male detective $200 worth of drugs and a sex act, also for $200, at the New York City landmark.

She is charged with three counts of drug possession and one count of prostitution but denied the allegations when she appeared at Riker's Island court.

Romero, who was seen laughing as she arrived at court, was given a T-shirt to wear as she was in her painted lady costume.  

Last month Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was looking into whether the topless performers could be removed from the area.

He said: 'As a human being and a parent, I don’t think it’s appropriate, in the middle of one of the busiest squares in New York City, that women should display themselves that way.'  

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, South Carolina businessman Mark Walters was arrested for allegedly assaulting one of the women after accusing them of taking his wallet.