Mendes researching role in Rehab?

Eva Mendes may have checked herself into rehab in January to prepare for a new movie, in which she plays a Spanish drug lord.

The 30-year-old actress entered Utah's Cirque Lodge to "proactively" attend "to some personal issues", her representative explained at the time.

The move shocked Hollywood, until Mendes landed a role alongside Josh Hartnett and Sir Ben Kingsley in Queen of the South, which follows her character Teresa Mendoza, who flees Mexico for Spain when her drug-runner boyfriend is murdered.

Gossips are speculating she may have been researching the role in rehab - a theory backed by leading acting coach John Kirby.

He tells Star 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."