Mendoza was born in Bulacan in the Philippines and raised there until coming to the United States at an early age. She can still speak Tagalog fluently. Her family settled in Camarillo, California. She was discovered while attending a car show with a friend when she was approached by an import tuner magazine. . Soon after turning 18 she signed with JaMmin Productions and started her modeling career. Read more...

Mendoza continues to make occasional appearances at Hot Import Nights, a popular car show which makes stops at various cities across the United States, and at other shows such as Glamourcon. She also appears in nightclubs in the Los Angeles area as a go-go dancer. She was recently included (short glimpses) in the music video "Bebot" of Black Eyed Peas (from the album Monkey Business).

Aside from modeling, Mendoza has plans to open a retail store with fellow model Sasha Singleton. She is also active in charity work creating her own charity, "Project Mendoza" for helping children in the Philippines.