Eva Mendes just shared a blast from the past, and fans can’t get enough.
The 52-year-old actress shared an adorable throwback photo on Instagram on Thursday, October 8, showing herself as a young girl with shoulder-length brown hair, bangs, and ends that flipped outward.
Mendes, who appears to be around 10 years old in the photo, wore a white blouse with a frilly collar and a blue bow. Her jewelry inspired the accompanying caption.
“Of course little me has a necklace with my name on it. Classic Cuban. I also had my azabache… IYKYK ❤️” she wrote.
View this post on Instagram
Nameplate necklaces have long been popular in many Latino families, while an azabache carries a special cultural meaning.
Traditionally made from black jet, an azabache is a protective charm commonly given to babies and children in Cuban and other Latin American households. Often worn on a bracelet or necklace, the charm is believed to ward off mal de ojo, or the evil eye, which is associated with envy and negative energy.
For Mendes, whose parents are Cuban, the photo offered a sweet glimpse into the traditions she grew up with—and a lot of fans related.
“The staple of any Cuban household 😆,” one shared.
“I still wear my azabache 🙌,” another commented.
A third said, “That smile is still just as lovely, Eva.”
One fan page said, “Eva, even as a young girl you had such an enchanting smile. OMG, you look so cute! Your younger daughter Amada looks so much like you, and she’s also 10 years old.”
The nostalgic post comes as Mendes continues to support her husband, Ryan Gosling. In July, Mendes showed some love for Gosling after it was announced that he would be playing Marvel’s next Ghost Rider.
The actress shared a clip from their 2012 film The Place Beyond the Pines, where the couple first met, with the message, “From this intro only i thought ryan gosling can be a perfect casting for ghost rider role.” Mendes signed the post, “Love, Roxy,” a nod to her own Marvel history. She previously played Roxanne Simpson, the love interest of Nicolas Cage’s Johnny Blaze, in the 2007 film Ghost Rider.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬