Eva Mendes was once a familiar face in Hollywood, dominating screens until her 2014 role in Lost River. But since then, she has taken a noticeable step back, leaving fans wondering why. The answer is simple—motherhood. Mendes shifted her focus entirely after becoming a mom, choosing to prioritize her daughters, Esmeralda and Amada, whom she shares with Ryan Gosling. In 2019, Mendes candidly explained her hiatus on Instagram, replying to a follower curious about her return: “Hi! When there’s something worthwhile to be a part of.” She revealed that being a mother means being selective with roles. “There are many roles I won’t do. There are many subject matters I don’t want to be involved with, so it limits my choices, and I’m fine with that.”
For Mendes, motherhood isn’t just a break from acting but a conscious decision to lead by example for her children. In a conversation with E! News, she emphasized, “I’m just a walking example [for my daughters], and I take that very seriously.” Returning to acting would have to align with her values and feel truly meaningful. Mendes and Gosling’s love story began on the set of The Place Beyond the Pines in 2012, where their chemistry captivated fans. Gosling later directed Mendes in Lost River, a career highlight for her. Reflecting on the experience, Mendes said, “He gets something out of me that’s never been accessible before.”
Eva Mendes’ Complex Relationship With Acting
Interestingly, Mendes was never completely enamored with acting. In an interview with The Sunday Times, she admitted, “I was never in love with acting. I don’t mean this in a self-deprecating way, but I wasn’t a great actress.” Though she appreciated collaborating with talented creators, she felt limited by the roles offered during her 16-year career.
Eva Mendes’ New Life Chapter
These days, Mendes appears perfectly content with her life outside Hollywood. Whether being a dedicated mom or exploring creative ventures beyond acting, she’s taking life on her own terms. Mendes has even hinted that a return to the big screen might only happen if Gosling is involved, saying, “That’s the one thing I would love to do.” Until then, she’s focused on other pursuits, including lending her voice to the children’s series Bluey and authoring a children’s book titled Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries.
Drawing from her personal experiences with anxiety, Mendes’ book aims to help children navigate their emotions. “It’s about this little girl and her brain working together,” Mendes shared. “I want to open up the dialogue and promote conversation.”
As for her decision to leave Hollywood behind? Mendes has no regrets. She considers herself “so lucky” to spend more time with her daughters while Gosling continues his successful career. “It was like a non-verbal agreement,” she said, describing how they balanced family and work. “He went and did his job. He just happens to be really good at his job.”
Eva Mendes traded glitzy premieres for family dinners and red carpets for bedtime stories. And unless the perfect project comes along—especially one involving Gosling—the Hollywood spotlight will remain dimmed. Mendes may not be on screen much these days, but she’s thriving in roles that matter most: mother, author, and advocate.