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 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."

-More Eva Mendes Pictures

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)