When Eva Mendes (then “Mendez”) first attracted attention in Training Day with Denzel Washington, she wasn’t taken very seriously. A beautiful woman, yes -- even more, a beautiful Latina ... but an actress to contend with? Don't be silly.

Those who underestimated Eva have learned their lesson. Here’s a woman who can turn on a dime, with quality work in everything from action/adventure like 2 Fast 2 Furious or Ghost Rider to gentle, insightful comedies like Hitch and The Women to serious, even grim dramatic performances, like her newest offering, The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. And Eva has proven her ability to stand up to some of the stronger male actors of her generation, from Denzel Washington (twice) to Will Smith to Joaquin Phoenix to her current leading man, Nicholas Cage (again: twice, the last time in the laughable but profitable Ghost Rider).

And then there’s the sexy part – the absolutely undeniable sensuality that pours off Eva Mendes virtually all the time. It’s one of the reasons she was cast in last year’s hotty parade, The Spirit; it’s why she was noticed amongst the hoardes of ingénues and rose out of the dregs of Children of the Corn V (1998) and Urban Legends: The Final Cut (2000) to make some of the more interesting films of the last five years. And it’s what makes her a favorite subject for photographers and a perfect addition to the Revlon Cosmetics spokesperson army, populated by beauties like Julianne Moore, Halle Berry and Cindy Crawford.

“It’s fun to be a woman,” Eva says. “It’s fun to flirt and wear makeup and have boobs.” And it’s something she does well – just as well as representing her Cubana background. ...