Washington, Nov 23 Eva Mendes has hit out at critics of her raunchy Calvin Klein lingerie ad.

The star's latest billboard ad for the fashion firm has raised eyebrows, particularly a poster in downtown New York City that shows the half-naked star sprawled across an entire city block.

Religious critics of the ad have protested and want the poster pulled down, but Mendes has blasted them, insisting the semi-naked poster is 'tasteful and beautiful.'

"It's a religious group that has a problem with the image. That's what I love about this country. We can voice our opinions and beliefs like that," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

"But they're wrong. I don't think I'm traumatising any children. I think it's a really tasteful and beautiful ad," she added. (ANI)