Mendes loves the things her family and friends used to poke fun at
EVA MENDES - MENDES LOVES THE THINGS HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS USED TO POKE FUN AT: "Movie star EVA MENDES used to get teased terribly about the things she's now famous for - her teeth, her mole and her childbearing hips.

The HITCH star grew up hating her look but she's glad she didn't let peer pressure prompt her to make changes.

She says, '(My overbite) is so big, my older brothers and sisters used to call me Bugs. I looked like a bottle opener.

'But I've never fixed my bite because it's one of the things that makes me me.

'And the mole on my left cheek, in junior high the other kids would say, 'You've got some chocolate on your face,' and I fell for it every time.

'I said, 'The minute I turn 18 I'm going to get that mole removed,' but I'm happy I didn't.'

But Mendes is most proud of her hips: 'When I was younger I thought they were too big. I wanted to be slimmer. But now I totally embrace them.'"
- posted by Natalie @ 11:06 AM

See Stars Naked: Eva Mendes
Babes: See Stars Naked: Eva Mendes: "At IGN Babes, we think of ourselves as a service. You want luscious pictures of nubile ladies, we deliver. You want in-depth interviews with lovely women, we've got your back. You want full event coverage of events where babes prowl en force, we are there.

But we're not always gonna do all the work for you; sometimes you have to show some initiative. And when the reward is seeing hot celebrities in the buff, we're sure you might find the motivation. Since we're buds, we'll get you pointed in the right direction.

This feature, simply called 'See Stars Naked,' will put you on the path to skin. All you have to do is make it to your local video store and rent the movies we talk about, and you'll be sorted. So what are you waiting for? Read on, young hot bloods!"
- posted by Natalie @ 12:33 PM

Eva's career blossoms without a Hitch
Scotsman.com News - Features - Eva's career blossoms without a Hitch
"EVA Mendes is proud of herself. The 30-year-old Cuban-American actor has finally hit the big time playing a lead role as a gossip columnist in romantic comedy Hitch, co-starring Will Smith, and she's loving it.

"I've been working for a long time for this moment. It was like finally I get to do it and be in more than, like, four scenes," says the dark-haired, Los Angeles-raised star.

"I was so proud of myself when I saw the film and that's not a feeling I have a lot. This is an adorable movie. This time I really mean it when I say that."

Mendes' star has been rising in Hollywood since her performance opposite Denzel Washington in Training Day four years ago.

Supporting roles in films such as Once Upon A Time In Mexico and Stuck On You have given way to her first major female lead in Hitch.

The movie, which opens across the Capital tomorrow, is already a hit at the US box office, and stars Will Smith as a date doctor who finds himself falling for Mendes' gossip reporter.

Although Smith's character gives advice about luring the opposite sex, he is less adept at making his own love life work. "
- posted by Natalie @ 10:05 AM

Eva Mendes Speaks Out About Latina & Black Actresses In Hollywood
Eva Mendes Speaks Out About Latina & Black Actresses In Hollywood: "There's something strange going on in such films as the recent Will Smith blockbuster 'Hitch': these days African American leading men tend to be cast opposite Latinas instead of black actresses, reports National Correspondent Allison Samuels in the March 14 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, March 7). Why is Eva Mendes, who stars opposite Smith in 'Hitch,' considered too dark to be paired with a white lead, but just right for an African American? 'I don't even know what to say about it anymore,' Mendes tells Newsweek. 'Certainly I've benefited, because I've got to work with Ice Cube, Denzel and Will. But it's lame. I wish the mentality wasn't so closed.'

Apparently Hollywood doesn't think America is ready for, say, Mos Def and Kate Hudson heating up the screen-though out in the real America, more black men are married to white women than to Latinas-and the conventional wisdom is, as actress Nia Long puts it, 'two black characters equals a black film and not just a movie about two people.' Moreover, Samuels writes, Hispanics are now the largest American minority group: businesswise, it's a no-brainer. The casting of Smith and Mendes 'just is a good business sense,' says Jeff Friday, a producer and founder of American Black Film Festival."
- posted by Natalie @ 12:31 PM

Eva Mendes to promote menswear
USA : Eva Mendes to promote menswear - Textile Fashion News Fibre2Fashion: "Noted Hollywood actress Eva Mendes will model for line for menswear.

Italian fashion giant DOLCE GABBANA has signed this HITCH star who will sport their latest collection of clothes for men.

Eva Mendes was studying marketing at California State Northridge in the late '90s when an agent came across her photo while looking through a neighbor's portfolio. Fortunately for her fans, Eva decided to drop out of school and pursue a career in acting."
- posted by Natalie @ 10:52 AM

Eva Mendes turns 27 on March 5
AP Wire | 02/27/2005 | Celebrity birthdays for Feb. 27-March 5: "March 5: Actor James B. Sikking ('Hill Street Blues,' 'Doogie Howser, M.D.') is 71. Actor Dean Stockwell is 69. Actor Fred Williamson is 67. Actor Michael Warren ('Soul Food,' 'Hill Street Blues') is 59. Singer Eddy Grant is 57. Keyboardist Alan Clark of Dire Straits is 53. Actress-comedian Marsha Warfield ('Night Court') is 51. Comedian-magician Penn Jillette is 50. Singer Teena Marie is 49. Singers Craig and Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers are 43. Guitarist John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers is 35. Singer Rome is 35. Model Niki Taylor is 30. Actress Eva Mendes ('2 Fast 2 Furious') is 27. Actor Jake Lloyd ('Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace') is 16."
- posted by Natalie @ 11:23 AM

Mendes slams celebrity sex circus
EVA MENDES - MENDES SLAMS CELEBRITY SEX CIRCUS: "EVA MENDES is so disgusted by the level of promiscuity amongst Hollywood's elite, she steers clear of glitzy celebrity events.

The sexy TRAINING DAY star loves working as an actress and she is convinced that fame and infamy only come to those stars who seek it out, because she has no problems leading a quiet, normal life.

The 30-year-old says, 'It is so ugly out there in the celebrity world. Everyone seems to have slept with everyone else and it's some sort of strange weird cycle. I don't want to get into that.

'I don't go to premieres and do all the red carpet stuff. I attend the openings of the films I'm in, and that's about it. Fame and celebrity doesn't matter to me. The longevity of my career does. I want to see that develop.

'If you go to your neighbourhood restaurant and you act like a sane person, no one cares. Life is so much easier. Believe me, it works.'"
- posted by Natalie @ 10:37 AM