We are frequently seeing more and more celebrities urge their fans to eating a plant-based diet. Is this just yet another flash-in-the-pan fad, or is there more to this one?
Does eating a vegan diet have more staying power than it’s predecessors?
With followings becoming larger by the minute on online platforms such as Instagram, celebrities are seen as harnessing power.
But, why are celebrities SO important in the vegan movement?
Because celebrities are the new Greek Gods, that’s why.
Every single civilisation since the dawn of humanity has worshiped some kind of god and had some kind of religion. Since the Incas, the Egyptians, the Greek, the Romans, the druids and the vikings. For centuries, diets decisions have been in the name of a god, giving valued strength.
As religion becomes less popular with new generations and in a world abundant with media…
Celebrities have morphed into worship icons.
Their lives seem almost mythical. They are extraordinarily wealthy, live in palatial properties and mostly only interact with one another. Living in a backdrop of exotic locations, we are all fascinated.
Vegan food sales are undoubtedly SKY-ROCKETING. Could the swing of the stars be contributing to the shift in buyer behavior?
So! Because there are SO MANY, I’ve put them in alphabetical order of their surnames.
I’d also like to say sorry not sorry for all of the selected photos with puppies in them. I just couldn’t help it! I was totally drawn in by them! It’s really not even my fault.
Here all the celebs (and maybe puppies) are:
1. Will.I.Am
This full time producer, rapper and on-again, off-again Black Eyed Peas frontman has gone totally vegan!
Will.I.Am has said laughingly “He doesn’t miss steaks.”
He switched to a plant-based diet to take back control of his health, losing 15lbs in the process with a combination of cycling to work.
Thankfully, he loves to spread the work of his plant-based diet, also choosing to speak out against the animal agriculture industry.
“For many years I would go to sleep and wake up tired, and that’s ’cause my body was processing god knows what type of crazy wicked sh*t that was approved.” He added, “There’s a force, a dark force, out there that is doing a very good job of keeping us all sick.”
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2. Pamela Anderson
This Canadian-American blonde bombshell is animal rights activist as well as being an actress and a model. She’s an active member of the animal protection organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), taking part in several campaigns for animal rights.
She became a vegetarian in her early teens when she saw her father cleaning an animal he had hunted.
Later in life she switched to a vegan diet now. Now she said she regards herself as a ‘naughty vegan’ as she finds it hard to maintain the lifestyle completely whilst living in France.
3. Tom Brady
This American football quarterback likes to eat a mostly vegan, low-carb diet.
He loves to eat ‘alkalizing’ foods to reduce inflammation in the body. 80% of Brady’s diet is veggies and he avoids starchy foods like bread and potatoes. He has also invested in a weekly vegan meal delivery company Purple Carrot.
4. Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain is also a vegan.
She has been vegan for over 10 years, in an interview with W Magazine, she told the interviewer “I found myself going to veganism because a friend of mine had a two week vegan food delivery program she wasn’t going to use so I used it, and immediately I just had more energy than I’ve ever had in my life…
Being vegan was not anything I ever wanted to be. I just really was listening to what my body was telling me.”
The American actress and producer not only loves to eat a vegan diet, she also likes to shop cruelty-free.
5. Simon Cowell
The English music mogul has credited the vegan diet with his 20lb weight-loss, which gives him ‘more energy.’
He described his journey as “way easier than you would think”. He says he is now able to keep up with his young son Eric, who is full of energy much better.
He has also previously been known for his love and generosity towards dogs, making a number of donations to animal charities and rescue centres.
It’s Simon Cowell seems to be loving his new vegan lifestyle!
6. Jenna Dewan
Have you ever watched the original movie Step Up? If you haven’t I highly recommend you do, it’s a gem!
Anyways. Back to celebs going vegan.
Jenna Dewan is an American actress and dancer and has been vegan since the age of 10!
That’s when she first watched a documentary on abattoirs and slaughterhouses, a video that was so distressing to the child that she vowed never to eat meat again. “It just stuck,” she told Women’s Health.
BUT.
What’s her ideal night out?
It’s ‘going out dancing and having a few tequila shots.’
She sounds like my kind of girl!
7. Novak Djokovic
This Serbian professional tennis player is currently ranked world No. 1 in men’s singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
And guess what?! He eats a plant-based diet.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion noticed he felt exhausted near the end of gruelling matches or tournaments. So he switched to plants.
Now he says “I attribute a great deal of my professional success to my diet.”
Djokovic’s diet also means so much to him that he opened plant-based restaurant Eqvita in Monte Carlo!
8. Zac Efron
A personal favorite. Ask any of my closest girl friends and the might be aware of my Efron crush. (I really hope my husband never reads this lol).
Crush or no crush, you can’t deny that he is in AMAZING shape! Have you SEEN him in Baywatch??
This American actor and singer said in an interview with Teen Vogue that he’s “been experimenting with eating purely vegan.”
The heartthrob said that his new diet is a big lifestyle change but has improved his overall well-being and sleep:
“That’s completely changed the way that my body works, and the way that I metabolize food, the way it turns into energy, the way that I sleep. It’s been brilliant. It’s been great for my exercise, and great for my routine.”
Efron + Vegan = 😍
9. Ellen DeGeneres
Daytime TV royalty Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi have been eating entirely vegan, or at least part-time vegan for the long haul.
Ellen is known for promoting the healthy vegan diet urging her fans to make the switch. In her stand up show ‘Relatable’ she said that she eats the occasional free-range egg from chickens living with her neighbour that live in good conditions. Even though she is eating an animal product, it sounds like she’s trying to do it in the most compassionate way.
Ellen is never shy about talking up the benefits of plant-based eating, she has collaborated with campaigns such as ‘Farm Sanctuary’ and she was also voted ‘Woman of the Year’ from PETA.
I also have a really cute story for you about this vegan couple.
Portia gifted Ellen gorilla sanctuary for her 60th birthday! Her donation to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund will create a permanent home in Rwanda for the organization that has been protecting endangered mountain gorillas for 50 years.
Nothing saws love like a gorilla sanctuary, I’m in awe!
10. Leonardo DiCaprio
Moby spilled the beans on Leonardo DiCaprio in an article feature for Spectator.
Moby describes Leo as a ‘bold faced vegan.’
A huge advocate in environmental issues, Leo aims to use his platform for environmental causes. He put together popular documentary ‘Before The Flood’ in 2016 to spread awareness. He details in this the impact of eating animal products to environmental issues. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it!
He has also been investing heavily in vegan businesses, including Beyond Meat, yummy HIPPEAS snacks and even an energy efficient start-up, Aspirational.
11. Ariana Grande
This American singer and songwriter switched to a vegan diet after realizing she loved animals too much.
In 2014, Arian Grande in an interview with the Mirror, she is quoted “I love animals more than I love most people, not kidding.”
I kinda know exactly how you feel!
12. Lewis Hamilton
Britain’s decorated racing driver needs to treat his body and mind like any other athlete to ensure top performance on the racing circuits. He is trying to bring veganism to the masses with his own vegan ‘Neat Burger’ restaurant in London, UK.
In an interview with The Independent, Hamilton stated his two main motivations for going vegan are to address animal welfare and taking into account how the plant-based diet affects his body.
He says his only regret about going vegan is that he “didn’t do it sooner.”
13. Steve Harvey
“I’m your man Steve Harvey, and we’ve got another good one for you tonight!”
I always just think of Family Feud and his charming smile when I think of Steve Harvey.
This TV show host has decided to ditch animal products as he became aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, but a plant-based diet has been shown to reduce risk.
Harvey is quoted in saying “You can eat your way healthy,” and “You are what you eat!” He has been following the The Greenprint: Plant-Based Diet, Best Body, Better World plan written by Marco Borges that was written for Beyonce.
14. Beyonce Knowles
Queen Bey often uses her platform to raise awareness for eating vegan food.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z were inspired to switch to a plant-based diet after having children.
They have invited their fans to join them on the plant-based foods revolution. They co-own a vegan food company 22 Days Nutrition with their personal trainer Marco Borges.
Rumour has it that the follow a flexitarian-type diet, where they eat prodominituntly plant-based foods, with the occasional serving of meat.
15. Jared Leto
This American actor, singer and songwriter has been eating healthily for the long haul. In an interview with GQ magazine he stated:
“It’s probably just down to sleep and diet. If you travel long haul a lot or don’t sleep much, it’s not going to last very long, that’s for sure. I’m pretty healthy so I think that helps a lot. I’ve been that way for a long time – 20 solid years of eating vegetarian/vegan and taking care of myself. That probably helps the preservation process.”
The guy is like Benjamin Button, he looks like he’s reversing in age is definitely not missing whatever it is animal products are supposed to give you!
16. Moby
Moby is an animal activist first and a musician second.
Vegan since 1987, the 90s popular DJ has “vegan for life” tattooed on his neck by fellow vegan artist Kat Von D.
Moby regularly calls on fans to get out and vote, go vegan, and to march for animal rights.
Moby has expressed his support for Greta Thunberg and Jane Goodall on Instagram. He shared a photograph of the two environmentalists and added: “If these two phenomenal human beings are vegan, why isn’t everybody? For the climate, for the environment, for human health, and mainly; for the animals.”
“I’m a vegan to reduce climate change, improve human health, end antibiotic resistance and rainforest deforestation, but ultimately I’m a vegan for the animals,” says Moby. “It’s my most deeply held belief; that every animal, human or not, is simply/basically/ineluctably entitled to their own life.”
He has said he’s dedicating his life’s work to his animal activism.
17. Michelle Pfeiffer
I just love all Michelle Pfeiffer’s movies, don’t you? Too many to choose a favorite from.
I also think this actress is just incredibly beautiful.
In a tell-all article with Urbanette, she revealed her secret to looking young: veganism. Yes, she credited her youthful glow to her plant-based diet!
“Eating a vegan diet—it’s just so much healthier—and you avoid a lot of toxins that could age your skin and your body. I really noticed a difference in my skin not too long after switching to fully vegan. And I needed to eat the fruits and vegetables to stay lean. It’s all about vanity, honestly.” [She laughs.]
“The older I’ve gotten, the more it’s occurred to me that I’m doing it in order to live longer, though the vanity component will always be there.”
She says she made the switch trying it initially for 8 weeks, and just feel in love with it.
18. Ruby Rose
This Australian model, actress and TV presenter has a very unique story of what turned her head to veganism. As a young child growing up in Melbourne she used to eat shark fin soup. She asked her mom about it who said “it’s not real shark fin.”
But she later found out it was and had nightmares of sharks swimming without their fins.
How creepy would that be?!
She gave up fish and later on went fully vegan.
Finless-swimming shark dreams would be enough to make anyone switch up their eating habits! 🦈
19. Kevin Smith
Ah one half of the Jay and Silent Bob legendary duo. I wish I could live in their fictional universe.
After suffering from a massive heart attack, Kevin Smith decided to give animal products the boot and lost 50lbs. He also experienced an ethical transformation, adopting a more compassionate outlook when it comes to animals.
He has said there is nothing he misses and he knows better now than to eat animals.
20. Mark Wahlberg
Also known as ‘Marky Mark,’ this American actor is strict with his regime and personal health. He is self-discipline personified. So it’s no surprise that he’s eating a really healthy diet too.
“I’ve been eating just plant-based for about three weeks now and I gotta tell you I feel really good, it’s been great.”
Wahlberg said he recently ditched animal-products as his previous meat-centric diet left him with a leaky gut.
Ouch, hope a plant-based diet has helped you to feel better!
Along with his two brothers, Donnie and Paul, he has also added the impossible Burger to their restaurant chain Wahlburgers.
21. Kim Kardashian West
One of THE biggest players on Instagram of our time, love her or loathe her, she holds some major influencer power!
At the start of 2020, Kim Kardashian West told fans that she now follows a ‘mostly plant-based diet’ and ‘doesn’t eat meat.’
Plant-based eating is a type of the vegan diet which you can read more about in 10 Ways To Be Vegan.
All of Kim’s children (with the exception of North who eats fish sometimes) are eating plant-based foods in the hope to reduce her psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis. She said “I live a healthy life and try to eat as plant-based as possible and drink sea moss smoothies.”
22. Olivia Wilde
Wilde says that her primary reason for adopting a plant-based diet was to not support a system of animal cruelty, and since going vegan she’s happier and more energetic than ever before.
“Being vegan is not always easy and accessible,” she told Huffington Post. “But it’s a way of life and makes me as a person feel really good and physically look better. My skin was better, energy was better.”
23. Stevie Wonder
The man. The myth. The legend that is Stevie Wonder.
“I just made the decision that I wanted to stop eating meat, so I just stopped. It feels good to not eat meat.”
This American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist first became a vegetarian and quit animal products all together to go vegan. During a James Corden segment of Carpool Karaoke he joked “I’ve been a vegan for two years, so that’s helped my already good-looking self.” He says his motivations for going vegan were environmental and health reasons.
The Bottom Line
The reasons to follow a vegan diet are pretty compelling. The biggest regret Lewis Hamilton (and many others!) say about going vegan, is that they “only wish they had done it sooner.”
Going vegan or eating a plant-based diet is so much more than just a diet, it’s LIFE CHANGING.
There’s a long list of reasons to eat vegan, not least the health benefits, to be compassionate or for environmental reasons!
Maybe, just maybe, these celebrities are onto something.
By the way, if you’re unsure what the difference is in some of the diet preferences, then please check out Plant-Based Vs Veganism: What’s The Difference?, or even this article 10 Ways To be Vegan might help to clarify things!
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