Eva Mendes checked herself into Utah’s Cirque Lodge rehab facility late last January here, for “personal issues.” Star Magazine, which is been on a strange roll lately, claims Eva was actually researching a film role.

Acting coach John Kirby who has not worked with Mendes, told the magazine, “It’s not unusual at all for an actor or actress to go to the extreme of checking into rehab to prepare for a character. In fact, I would encourage that for my students, because you want to fully immerse yourself in the role.”

For the role in question, Eva plays a Spanish drug lord in the movie “Queen of the South.” Her character flees Mexico for Spain when her drug-runner boyfriend is murdered. So what does this have to do with rehab?
Variety reported that Mendes had been added to the cast, on May 6th, and in their plot synopsis gives no indication that Teresa enters rehab in the film.

Eva was in rehab in January, before the cast announcement was made, so you would have to believe she accepted the role earlier, or was trying to show her commitment to win the part?  I don’t really buy it, but if this story is true,  maybe she should have gone undercover to acting school instead?

San Francisco Chronicle