Eva Mendes Talks About Daughter Esmeralda in First Post-Baby Interview

Actress gave birth to her first child with Ryan Gosling earlier this fall

By Lily Harrison Nov 25, 2014 10:16 PMTags
Eva Mendes, Violet GreyEmma Summerton/Violet Grey

Eva Mendes has never so much as addressed her pregnancy, let alone open up about her newborn with Ryan Gosling—until now.

The 40-year-old actress got candid with The Violet Files about raising her 10-week-old daughter, Esmeralda Amada Gosling, and what surprising place she turns to in times of need.

"I thought my wild nights were over, but these are some of the wildest nights I've ever had," she joked with the digital beauty magazine in her first post-baby interview and photo shoot. 

Emma Summerton/Violet Grey

"[I] read the comment section from other mothers because I find so much solace in that. Just knowing that I'm not alone out there and that other moms have gone through the same thing can at least get me through the night."

Mendes gave birth to her daughter with Gosling back in September and also shared how the good-looking duo came up with their little one's moniker.

"Ryan and I both love the Esmeralda character from the Victor Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and we just think it's a beautiful name," she said, adding that "Amada was my grandmother's name. It means 'beloved' in Spanish."

The proud mama also joked that "motherhood is cake compared to what it's like to be a baby."

"Everything is a struggle for her. For instance, I haven't thrown up since the '90s and she's thrown up twice since we started this interview."

Emma Summerton/Violet Grey

But on a serious note, Mendes addressed how she and Gosling chose to keep everything about Esmeralda under tight wraps.

"Ryan and I decided early on to give her as much privacy as we could. And my pregnancy was the first opportunity to give her that," she explained.

"Whether we like it or not, privacy is going to be very difficult for Esmeralda. I think it's unfair, but that's our reality."