EVA Mendes and her fabulous headgear dazzled on the red (pink?) carpet at the 30th Anniversary MOCA Gala in Los Angeles Saturday night.

The We Own the Night star, 35, recently insisted she’s more than happy to use her sex-symbol status to help her secure film roles. (continue)

EVA Mendes is happy to use her body to her advantage.

The actress says admits uses her sex-symbol status to help her secure film roles.

“I don’t allow myself to be typecast, but when I have to turn up the heat and turn up the sexuality and I do an amazing Calvin Klein campaign it’s very conscious, that’s no accident. It’s very methodical on my part,” Mendes told Fox News.

“If I feel it’s appropriate to show some nudity in the scenes then I go for it. As much as I use my sexuality, I have never felt exploited. I feel like it’s on my terms and I have no problem with it.”

Eva says she only made her first visit to the hurricane-torn New Orleans while filming her latest crime drama Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans in August last year.

“It was exciting because we brought business there, but it was pretty devastating,” she said. “I was in shock at some parts, I hadn’t been there ever so I was still in shock that this happened in our country.

“I felt we were somewhere else in certain areas. Our government failed this; you can see they failed this. It was pretty intense.”

Eva Mendes isn’t a fan of Los Angeles.

The actress says the American city is full of “lost souls” who are trying to make their mark.

“Los Angeles is full of lost souls,” she said. “Aspiring blanks. Everybody goes there to make a mark, to be something, and not everybody gets to do that, so what happens is you have all these little lost souls bouncing around, trying to fill a void. And, yeah, I think the sunshine is a big old disguise.”

Eva also revealed how living in the often-miserable city has inspired her to write poetry.

“I write the best worst poetry in the world,” she said. “It is fantastically terrible. I can’t say any of it, it’s too telling. People get a piece of my soul here. What am I getting in return?

“I have this burning desire, to be just a little better every day. I can’t let myself slip. It probably means I will never find contentment. Never! That’s why I like The Smiths.”

Eva Mendes has a spooky pastime — she likes visiting cemeteries.

The actress, 35, says she tries to “hit up” as many burial grounds as she can when she travels the world.

“I love cemeteries,” said Mendes. “They’re so beautiful and peaceful. The older the better.

“You know I’ve hit up so many, I forget. I make ‘em sound like bars! I do. I just hit them up everywhere I go, so I get a little confused. You know.”

The star — who recently launched her own range range of bedding — also revealed one of her strongest memories is of her mother and her constant worries about money when she was younger.

“I have stories from when I was little and they’re all about wanting to save my mum in some way — like wanting Santa Claus to come and, instead of toys, he’d pay our bills,” she said.

“I really don’t have that pressure in me now. I bought her a house about five years ago, she lives 15 minutes away from me, and I said: ‘You’re done, lady. If I remember to get you a birthday card, you’re lucky.’”

Eva Mendes “loves” her curves.

The actress insists that despite Hollywood’s obsession with super-skinny stars, she is 100% happy with her body.

Referring to her Calvin Klein adverts that were banned in the States [owing to too much nudity], Mendes told the UK’s Marie Claire, “You can’t show your nipples, apparently, in the States.

“But you can blow up anything you please in a movie or on TV.

“I love my curves and I embrace them.”

The 35-year-old, who spent a short spell in rehab last year, also revealed that she credits four years of therapy with changing how she deals with fame.

“[I'm] a woman who has been through life experiences, thank God, and therapy. I love therapy!” she said.

“‘I’m very into it. I’m very in touch with my feelings, so I’m a completely different person.

“Not that different but you know… I gotta tell you, there’s nothing like going in and sitting down and talking to someone who has no emotional tie to your life.

“Just to talk to someone. It’s amazing.”

Ever fancied getting in between Eva Mendes‘ sheets?

Well, now you can! (continue)

Eva Mendes has hit back at the recent criticism about her weight.

The actress says she never had complaints about her body before but after shooting a series of hot and steamy ads for Calvin Klein she has been forced to defend her curvy figure.

Eva, 35, stripped down to her CK undies for a oiled up pic with actor Jamie Dornan in the sand and feels her body looks toned and healthy — not skinny and scrawny.

“I don’t have a starving body I have a healthy toned body,” she says. “I don’t think people should criticize my advert. I prepped for it a lot and I think it’s great. It was in the desert and we were all oiled up for it. That’s my job!” (continue)

Eva Mendes is not a big shopper.

The actress insists she’s content with what she’s got.

“I’m not a big shopper. I don’t need much. I’m actually pretty content with just a few little day outfits and a good bag,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Hitch star, 35, is once again set to bare her sexy body for the upcoming Fall 2009 advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein Underwear and Calvin Klein Jeans.

“I have a long-standing relationship with the house and I’m thrilled to extend my association and now be a part of the new Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear campaigns,” Mendes said of the opportunity.

Eva Mendes is once again set to bare her sexy body for Calvin Klein.

The Hitch actress poses alongside male model Jamie Dornan in the upcoming Fall 2009 advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein Underwear and Calvin Klein Jeans.

Mendes was photographed by renowned fashion photographer Steven Klein.

“I have a long-standing relationship with the house and I’m thrilled to extend my association and now be a part of the new Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear campaigns,” Mendes said of the opportunity.

The 35-year-old is currently in Calvin Klein global ads promoting the company’s underwear and the fragrance Obsession.

“Working alongside the sensationally sexy Eva Mendes on both shoots was incredible,” Dornan said of the star. Dornan has also been featured in prior Calvin Klein campaigns, posing alongside supermodel Kate Moss.