Eva Mendes Goes Naked For PETA

NEW YORK, NY (December 6, 2007) - Actress Eva Mendes has gone naked for a new PETA ad.

The star of "We Own The Night," and "Stuck On You" is the latest celebrity to join PETA's "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" ad campaign.

[ Eva Mendes - View the gallery ]

Eva told the organization one of the ways she became involved with their cause was down to a letter the group wrote her after she wore an animal cozy on a red carpet.

"I wasn't familiar with PETA early in my career. I remember having my first premiere in New York City and being so naive that I didn't have a coat with me. My stylist sent me a fur wrap for the evening and I ignorantly wore it," Mendes told PETA. "PETA then wrote me a beautiful letter commenting on my less-than-educated choice. I was so impressed that I vowed to them and myself to never wear real fur on the red carpet or in my life again."

Mendes now says she's staunchly "anti-fur" and she is worried about those who wear products made of animals.

"I feel like in recent years, due to pop culture, fur has made a comeback. Some people still see wearing fur as glamorous and a sign of prosperity. Personally I think wearing a baby chinchilla says, 'I'm ignorant,' vs. saying 'I'm a badass,'" she said. "I don't think you can force people to change their attitudes, but you can help to educate them and to lead by example. There are way too many amazing faux fur options out there for people to still be wearing real fur. I want people to know that there are options; that killing a poor animal and wearing it isn't cool."

The actress said her recent acquisition of a sweet dog has made her "happier" and more in tune with animal rights.

"I look at my beautiful dog and think, 'Of course I'd never eat him or skin him for his fur, so why would I be okay with eating a cow or wearing a cheetah?' It's just not right. It's a contradiction," she said.