She's got the beauty, body and brains - and Zest magazine coverstar Eva Mendes has got self-belief sussed too.
Hollywood star Eva Mendes took time out from shooting the new Reebok Easytone campaign to talk to us exclusively about her self-belief, confidence and body issues.
Eva tells why she'd rather be sexy than beautiful:
'I prefer the term sexy to beautiful. Because anyone can be sexy. What makes someone really sexy – and you can feel it when they talk to you or even just when they walk into a room – is the sense that they know they have something to contribute. They might be funny, smart or really kind, but they know it and when someone has that strong sense of self-worth, it’s really sexy.'
Eva on therapy:
'I think it’s important to have someone objective in your life who you can trust and discuss things with before they become a problem. I’m the only one in my family who sees a therapist, but I’m probably the one who needs to see one the least!'
Eva on ending a nine-year relationship in her late 30s:
'We’re still so young! Whatever age you’re at, do you want to look back in 10 years’ time and say, 'Oh I was so young and dumb,' and see the opportunities that passed you by? Flash-forwarding to the future really works for me – even if it’s just my tomorrow self telling my today self to get off the couch and do some exercise.'
Eva on dealing with body-confidence issues:
'I went through my teenage years unhappy with what I was born with and complained about everything. But my older sisters and my amazing mum helped me realise I had to change my attitude towards myself. You have to learn to accept the things you can’t change and be brave enough to change the things you can. That was like an epiphany for me – I suddenly realised I had a lot of power over myself.'
Eva on being comfortable in her own skin:
'I have this rule that when I look in the mirror, I won’t say something about myself I’d never say to a friend. Never point out your flaws to anyone, ever, including yourself. Accepting compliments is really important, too– even if you don’t agree with them. I’ve never understood why so many women struggle to accept compliments.'
Eva on regrets:
'I’ve taken two words out of my vocabulary – regret and should. I don’t like them. I don’t agree with them, so I don’t allow myself to use them. Really, I don’t regret anything. When I look back at my life, even at decisions that could be considered mistakes, they’re usually the moments I’ve learned most from.'
All clothing available from reebok.com and at JJB Sports nationwide.
Read the full Eva Mendes interview and EasyTone in the Zest March 2012 issue. Get a sneak preview.
