NEW YORK — It's about time for Eva Mendes, who turned heads as Denzel Washington's girlfriend in 2001's "Training Day."
She's reunited with Washington, playing his estranged wife in the thriller "Out of Time," and stars opposite Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp in "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," the last in Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi trilogy.
The 26-year-old Cuban-American actress, who got her start in commercials, has just completed the Farrelly brothers' comedy "Stuck on You" with Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear and is now filming "The Wendell Baker Story" with Luke and Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell and Harry Dean Stanton.
But Mendes, who also starred in "2 Fast 2 Furious," says she's not into the whole Hollywood thing. She doesn't go to many parties or big events and says she'll never show up on a red carpet half-dressed.
She discussed her thriving career in a recent telephone interview from her Los Angeles home.
AP: With each new movie under your belt, are you becoming more jaded or making more demands for perks in your contracts?
Mendes: I am completely devoid of the diva. I certainly don't have any demands — yet. I'm pretty easy to please, and I do have my family who, if my head starts getting too high up in the clouds, will smack me right down.
AP: "Out of Time" marks the second time in two years you play Washington's love interest. What's it like to work with Denzel?
Mendes: Well, the first time I was more the kept woman, so I've gone up a notch. Actually 'Training Day' was a pivotal point for me. When I was in scenes with Denzel, I'd say to myself, 'This is cool,' and I decided to dedicate myself to learning my craft and becoming a great actress. . . . Plus, I get to act out a little lust (for Washington) through the characters, and I certainly enjoyed flirting with him.
AP: Washington is more than 20 years older than you. Did you try to bridge the age gap?
Mendes: I really tried to step up and lose all my youthful nuances. I lost all the 'likes' and some of my spastic mannerisms.
AP: Most actors say they add some of their personality to a role. Did you take anything away from the police detective character of Alex Diaz Whitlock in "Out of Time"?
Mendes: Well, I tend to be somewhat scatterbrained, so I really liked her precision. I'd like to have a little bit more of her steadiness. But I wish she had a little more sense of humor.
AP: You always seem to play a sexy, tough Latina chick in your films. Are you a sexy, tough Latina chick in real life?
Mendes: I don't think so. But I can be tough when it comes to being a businesswoman. But I think curious is the word to describe myself. I'm always asking questions.
AP: You live in Los Angeles, have filmed four movies in Miami and are perpetually tan. Do you own a winter coat?
Mendes: I actually was born in Miami too. I do own winter coats, but I haven't used them.
AP: Do you like to shop?
Mendes: I'm not an irrational shopper, but I do love handbags! It's like how most women are with shoes. . . . And I'm always in skirts. I love my skirts, my bags and my boots.
AP: What do you do in your spare time?
Mendes: My boyfriend and I manage a band called The Tigers. Some of their songs will be in the Farrelly brothers' movie. And I'm learning to play the bongos, but it's more that I love to be around music than playing it. I'm a total groupie.