Eva Mendes reveals why she feels she 'wasn’t a great actress', opens up about being typecast

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Eva Mendes has revealed she was "never in love with acting" and that there’s no urgency to return to the screen after a decade-long hiatus.

The actor has not starred in a feature film since her role in her husband Ryan Gosling’s 2014 directorial debut, 'Lost River'.

Eva Mendes opens up about her acting career

Eva Mendes made a brief appearance in 2021, lending her voice to an episode of ABC Kids' 'Bluey', her acting career has been on hold as per Variety.

Despite her break from acting, Mendes has expressed that working with Gosling might be one of the few things that could bring her back to the screen.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Mendes explained that her relationship with acting was never one of deep passion.

"I was never in love with acting. I don’t mean this in a self-deprecating way, but I wasn’t a great actress," she said, adding, "I had my moments when I worked with really great people."

She also admitted that her partner, Gosling, has been able to unlock a level of performance in her that others haven’t.

"He gets something out of me that’s never been accessible before."

Referring to her roles in 'The Place Beyond the Pines' and 'Lost River', she added that working with Gosling is the "one thing I would love to do.”

Eva Mendes says she's had some 'pretty s****y roles'

Eva Mendes acknowledged there were also difficult times in her career when she was typecast based on her looks or background.

"There were some pretty s****y roles," she admitted. Early in her career, she was often judged based on her Cuban heritage.

"That’s all they would say at the beginning—'she’s too ethnic for this, too ethnic for that,'" Mendes revealed.

Later, she noticed a shift in casting trends, "At some point, it switched to, ‘Oh, ethnic is cool now,’ or, ‘Being Latina is cool.’"

 On 'The View' in 2022, Mendes mentioned she would not do roles with violence or intimacy to draw her back into the industry.

Eva Mendes discusses cosmetic procedures and beauty regrets

Eva Mendes has also been candid about her beauty routines and cosmetic procedures.

Speaking about her approach to maintaining her youthful appearance, Mendes said, "I’m not afraid to try things that are safe, because most of these little treatments, let’s say, are reversible."

She mentioned her experiences with Botox, adding, "If you get Botox, it goes away if you don’t like it. There have been times where I’ve regretted something … and then you just wait it out."

Back in 2021, Mendes addressed rumors surrounding plastic surgery on social media. In response to fans claiming she had denied undergoing procedures.

"Never 'denied plastic surgery.' All I did was reply to a specific comment on SM. Would never deny that stuff. I'm all for it. All. For. It," she clarified according to Daily Mail.

Eva Mendes talks about love and aging

Eva Mendes who turned 50 in March, reflected on turning this milestone age, saying, "It was totally fine."

"It’s just that number sounds crazy. I feel like a girl inside and I’m like, oh my God, I’m not a girl anymore," she said.

Mendes also shared intimate details about her relationship with Gosling, revealing how he boosts her confidence.

"The way my man looks at me is just … at times I’m like, 'oh my God'," she said, adding that much of how she feels about herself comes from the love and admiration she receives from him.

"That might not sit well with people, but so much of how I feel is a reflection of what he’s giving me," Mendes noted.

Her last leading role was in the 2012 drama 'Girl in Progress', directed by Patricia Riggen, and while she hasn't ruled out a return to acting, it would take a special project for her to do so.