By Jeanne Wolf, Photographs: Marc Baptiste

va Mendes is a bundle of seductive contradictions -- outspoken, comfortable in the boys' club and possessed of a wicked sense of humor she often directs at herself. She's an irrepressible Latina who gets a big laugh out of the kind of politically incorrect gags that made the Farrelly brothers famous and yet is so gorgeously feminine that she's the most recent spokeswoman for Revlon. No wonder you've been seeing her sexy persona in a string of major movies opposite A-list leading men.

Earlier this year she was locking lips with Will Smith in the hit romantic comedy Hitch. And flashing back on her memorable big-screen appearances, who could forget the moment when she bared all in a nude scene with Denzel Washington in Training Day? Mendes also proved she could go for big laughs in Stuck on Youfrom the Farrellys, in which she teamed up with Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear. What sets her apart is how she sizzles while displaying an amazing range of emotions, from vulnerability to butt-kicking toughness.

Mendes is currently filming Ghost Rider. It's the story of Johnny Blaze, played by Nicolas Cage -- a motorcyclist possessed by an avenging spirit who periodically turns him into a demon with a flaming skull.

Up close, Eva is totally and irresistibly herself, in spite of the fact that she's on her way to becoming an even more famous face. She's the kind of gal whom you can sit down and dish with -- and dish she does.

VEGAS: You've had a very A-list of leading-men costars -- Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, Matt Damon -- and now you're in Australia filming a movie with Nicolas Cage. Are there ever times when you ask, How did this all happen to me?

EVA MENDES: No, because if I do, that'll break my concentration. It's a great time and everything is starting to happen. I feel like if I take a moment to think about it, it might mess me up.

Maybe you're smart to keep enjoying the ride and not ask yourself too many ques- tions.

Exactly, and not look back. I used to run track when I was in high school, and it reminds me of that. I was actually quite good and enjoyed it. But when I was running a couple of times I actually looked back when I was ahead to see who was closest to me. And every time I did that I got screwed. First of all, it showed a sign of weakness. Second, it took my mind off the race. So I kind of equate that to my life right now and what I'm doing.

Since Ghost Rider is a comic-book movie, do they do anything strange with your look?

I actually play 'the girl,' so I don't need prosthetics like Nicolas Cage, who plays the hero, Ghost Rider. I'm his long-lost love, a very sweet, natural girl. It's just that I happen to be in love with a guy who turns into a flaming skull.

You are considered one of the guys, but you are also a girly girl in real life, aren't you?

My God, I am such a girl. A lot of times I have a tomboy quality in me, but at the core I'm very girly. It's hysterical. I live in heels. I'm so Cuban in that way. I love my heels. I love my little dresses. I love my makeup. I love my hair. I love doing all that stuff. And as cool as guys are and as easy as I do think they have it, I would never want to be a boy. I'm so happy being a girly girl.

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