Eva Mendes is envious of her idol Kate Winslet because 'The Reader' star grabs all the roles that the American actress wants to do.

The 35-year-old actress hopes her new role in thriller 'Bad Lieutenant' will bring her to the attention of directors who want to find Hollywood's new tough girl and then maybe she'll be considered for films Winslet doesn't land.

"Kate Winslet gets all of the gritty roles, understandably so! She is my idol and I just think she's done it the right way," Mendes said.

The Hollywood bombshell whose new traffic-stopping underwear ad on a billboard has angered the locals in New York feels that unlike male actors, women don't get their due easily in the industry.

"She (Winslet) is not only an amazing actress but she knows how to run her career and I respect her so much, but there's got to be room for more, for all women. I want more roles out there for women that have more colours and layers, like men have," Mendes said.

"They are hard to come by, so sometimes I create them. I produced a film called Live! which I gave myself a great role in, playing a television network president. It's coming out on DVD next month," she added.

Mendes, who stars opposite Nicolas Cage in 'Bad Lieutenant' also wishes to play his role in the movie.

"When do I get to be the Bad Lieutenant? I get a little role envy if I'm being honest," she said.