Eva Mendes is proving she can handle Hollywood romance scenes just fine—until space gets involved.
Ahead of the March 20 release of Ryan Gosling’s new sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, Mendes playfully admitted she’s only ever felt jealous of one of her longtime partner’s costars—and it isn’t a glamorous actress. Instead, it’s Rocky, Gosling’s CGI alien companion in the movie, voiced by James Ortiz.
Commenting on an Instagram post about the upcoming film, Mendes joked that Rocky is the only costar who has ever sparked jealousy, adding that Gosling and the character spent “wayyy too much time together.” She also poked fun at the bond between the two, writing, “They even got each others rings. WTF!!?”
The cheeky comment quickly caught attention, offering fans a rare glimpse into Mendes’ sense of humor and her typically private relationship with Gosling. The couple has been together for more than a decade and share two daughters, Esmerelda, 11, and Amada, 9.
While Mendes’ joke was clearly lighthearted, it also highlighted just how strong their relationship has remained despite Gosling’s long career of working closely with leading ladies on screen. In fact, it was a movie set that brought them together in the first place. Mendes and Gosling met while filming the 2012 crime drama The Place Beyond the Pines, where they played a couple. Gosling later reflected on the experience, calling it one of the best he’s ever had making a film.
Aug 4, 2024; Paris, France; Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling attends the second day of gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-Imagn Images
Mendes has also spoken openly about how meeting Gosling changed her outlook on life. She previously admitted that becoming a mother wasn’t something she planned for, but after falling in love, she began to imagine a future that included building a family.
Gosling has likewise praised Mendes for the role she’s played behind the scenes, especially during key moments in his career. During his 2017 Golden Globes acceptance speech, he credited her for supporting their family while he worked, acknowledging that she took on enormous responsibilities at home while he was filming.
Jan 8, 2017; Beverly Hills, CA, USA; Ryan Gosling accepts his award for Best Actor in Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy during the 74th Golden Globe Awards at Beverly Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Paul Drinkwater/Handout Photo via USA TODAY NETWORK
Over the years, the couple has stayed largely out of the spotlight, choosing to keep their personal lives private even as their careers continue to thrive. Mendes has previously explained that she prefers not to share too much about Gosling or their children publicly, maintaining clear boundaries between their family and fame.
Still, her latest comment proves she hasn’t lost her playful edge—especially when it comes to teasing Gosling about his newest “relationship.” And if Rocky is truly her biggest competition yet, at least Mendes can laugh about it from Earth.
