Some 15 years ago, veganism was considered a fringe movement for a handful of radicals. However, the tide has turned as this plant-based lifestyle choice has diffused into Western mainstream culture—Hollywood inclusive. Yes, beyond the glitz and glamor, celebrities are now more vocal about their pro-vegan stance, especially on the issues of animal rights and environmental conservation.
For others, adopting a strict no-meat dietary plan aligns more with the need to look and feel youthful, thereby maintaining that star image that drives their fans to adore them. As such, the vegan industry is worth over $43 billion and is projected to reach $85 billion by 2030. To celebrate this feat and its perks, let’s explore seven popular personalities you didn’t know were vegans.
Ariana Grande
Okay, this one isn’t a surprise to many, as Ariana Grande is one of the most prominent proponents of veganism in the Hollywood community. The singer-songwriter and actress who grew up in a family that loved all things Italian decided to go green in 2013, embracing fruits and veggies. While chatting with The Mirror, she disclosed that her decision was a result of her love for all animals and a desire to stay healthy.
In her words, “I love animals more than I love most people.” Grande’s commitment to being vegan saw her partner with PETA in 2014 to advocate for animal rights, which roughly 10 years later earned her r.e.m beauty line a PETA certificate for being cruelty-free. One thing is for sure: she isn’t simply a plant-based lover but also a strict macrobiotic and walks 12,000 steps a day.
Billie Eilish
The American singer and songwriter got into music early enough. At eight, she was already a member of the Los Angeles Children’s Choir where she sang. But what really brought her into the limelight was her debut song, “Ocean Eyes,” which she uploaded to SoundCloud in 2016—a move that has led her to release other songs, many of which have bagged her several nominations and awards, including two Oscars.
Beyond her musical success, Eilish is known for her strict vegan lifestyle, which she adopted a year after Grande’s but for a completely different reason—she was moved by the cruelty involved in dairy and meat production. Speaking to British Vogue, Eilish explained, “Once you know that kind of thing and you see it, it’s really hard to go back.”
Her stance on veganism extends to her business ventures, as her two signature perfumes with Parlux are vegan and cruelty-free.
Brad Pitt
One of Hollywood’s leading men and the first man to earn the title “Sexiest Man Alive” twice, Brad Pitt, has been vegan for quite many years. This is a decision that the actor made for environmental reasons. And if you thought avoiding meat was restrictive, you’d be surprised to learn that the award-winning 60-year-old actor has not had a drink in eight years, which could also be the secret to his youthful looks.
Travis Barker
Blink-182 drummer, as most people know him, and Kourney Kardashian’s spouse Travis Barker is the epitome of living a balanced life. The 48-year-old is not only a top rock star and fashion influencer; he is also a father of two and a proud vegan, whose decision to stay gluten-free came right after surviving a plane crash with his friend DJ AM in 2008—a fatal accident that left three of his other closest friends dead.
In an interview with Men’s Journal, Barker revealed that following his vegan dietary shift gave him “endless amounts of energy.” His go-to meals include vegan chicken and waffles, baked sweet potatoes, broccoli, blueberries, strawberries, acai berries, and almonds. Complementing his stance, Barker is also a staunch animal rights advocate and has partnered with PETA in the campaign “Make Some Noise for Animals.”
Fearne Cotton
Here’s one of Britain’s finest TV and radio presenters and founder of Happy Place, a well-being brand. As you may not have known, Fearne Cotton has been a die-hard vegan for over three decades now. Speaking to actress and vegan activist Evanna Lynch on The Chickpeeps podcast, Fearne revealed that she quit meat at age 10 after seeing a live report on the transportation of animals.
Over the years, Fearne gradually transitioned to a vegan lifestyle, with her meals typically consisting of rice or quinoa, eggs, broth, and lots of vegetable soups, along with occasional fish once a month. However, in recent years, she has completely skipped out on eggs to become fully vegan, which she describes as “energizing” and “not hard.”
This transformation inspired her to write “Happy Vegan,” a plant-based cookbook that celebrates the joys of vegan eating.
Will.I.Am
We have all been singing along to Black Eyed Peas’ popular hit, “Be Free,” but if you don’t know, Will.i.am is a long-time vegan advocate—maybe not as long as Fearne or Brad. Nonetheless, the 49-year-old rapper and record producer made the switch in 2017 after being diagnosed with high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Here’s what he had to say about the life-changing moment, “I switched my regimen, went plant-based and it changed my life. I lost 20 lbs. My stress levels came down naturally.” Since then, Will.I.Am has been an unrelenting advocate of the vegan cause.
Lewis Hamilton
The name “Lewis Hamilton” is associated with fast cars and speed on the track. But beyond being a seven-time Formula One world champion, Hamilton is a passionate environmental activist, and his plant-based diet is a big part of this. He made this decision in 2017 and has since used his platform to promote animal rights, encouraging people to boycott leather and protect animals.
Taking it a step further, Hamilton, who received his knighthood in 2021, opened Neat Burger, a vegan fast-food chain in London, with its first U.S. location in New York City. He joins the league of co-sports stars like the Williams Sisters, Colin Kaepernick, and Jermain Defoe, who have gone green for environmental and animal welfare reasons.
Conclusion
Celebrities are no doubt a source of hope to many people all over the world. The fact that they can make a decision as seemingly life-changing as going vegan and then help people looking up to them adopt it is pretty admirable. The celebrities above are great examples of such, and of course, our list is by no way limited to these select few. So, whether you are vegan or not, you’d agree that it’s inspiring to see these people make a difference.
