Although the majority of people associate alternative foods with weight loss, the vegan lifestyle seems to have a lot more to offer than just looking good. Adherents to this lifestyle have revolutionized the food industry, and celebrities are increasingly embracing it as well. So what's the draw?
According to numerous reports, eating no animal products might be more conducive to staying healthy, with great benefits to the cardiovascular system and blood sugar regulation. It's also said to have beneficial effects on skin blemishes. Let's find out which celebrities have adopted this lifestyle.
Beyonce Knowles
Singer Beyonce Knowles has become the queen of our hearts, with her discipline and commitment to her music and performances always leaving us wanting more. While preparing for her outstanding Coachella performance, she very publicly announced that she was going to adopt the vegan lifestyle.
However, Knowles has gotten into some trouble with her fans in July 2019. Her very strict eating habits during this time of preparation are now a meal plan that people can buy, and any doctor would confirm that this crash plan could have adverse effects.
Sir Paul McCartney
Sir Paul McCartney achieved worldwide fame as a member of the Beatles, the band that changed music forever. Decades later, he continues to perform all over the world, sharing his testimony about living without meat wherever he goes. Veganism is one of his greatest passions.
McCartney's beloved late wife, Linda McCartney, launched her own restaurant chain decades ago in order to fill a gap that the couple had noticed in the food market for vegans like them. He even went so far as to create a documentary on the subject.
Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell became a millionaire thanks to his talent at managing musicians. He’s probably one of the best judges of which aspiring musicians are on the road to greatness, though the public got to know him as the harshest judge of contestants on American Idol.
After going to the hospital for a cardiovascular problem, Cowell decided that it was time to go vegan. Since then, he’s lost a lot of weight and claims to have experienced many other benefits, such as sleeping better and having more energy throughout the day.
Natalie Portman
Actress Natalie Portman is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, with numerous films showcasing her tremendous talent. She was awarded an Oscar for her role in the film Black Swan, one of her best performances yet. Always very environmentally conscious, she was vegetarian for a while.
However, Portman eventually decided to go all the way, becoming completely vegan. She has stated in various interviews that she complements her meals with dietary supplements like vitamins D and B12 as a way to make sure that she’s getting all the nutrients she needs.
Moby
Moby, one of the most successful DJs, has always opted for a lifestyle outside the mainstream. He began making the switch to vegan food choices over 30 years ago, long before the vegan lifestyle became popular. We could say that he was a vegan trendsetter.
Believing that many people might be interested in his unconventional life, Moby decided to write two memoirs. In 2019, he released the second book, Then It Fell Apart, which covered the height of his fame. His first memoir discussed his life before he became famous.
Morrissey
Morrissey is probably one of the more outspoken vegans out there. He may not call himself one, but he’s very much in sync with the philosophy, declaring that he won’t eat anything that has parents. Many celebrities share this sentiment with the former Smiths singer.
However, Morrissey might be taking things a little bit too far. He’s stated that he eats only nuts, bread, potatoes, and pasta, so he has a very difficult time finding suitable entrees at restaurants. Maybe he doesn’t know about the many alternatives vegans have developed to stay well fed.
Forest Whitaker
Actor Forest Whitaker is an Academy Award winner who began following the vegetarian diet many years ago. He has declared that turning vegetarian was the best decision he could’ve made to feel better about himself. It was especially useful for shedding some pounds after having to gain weight for The Last King of Scotland.
Whitaker even recorded a video for PETA encouraging everyone to follow his example. In this video, he highlighted the benefits of this lifestyle and expounded on his love for animals. His daughter, True Whitaker, who embraces the same lifestyle, was also part of the project.
Jessica Chastain
Actress Jessica Chastain has been vegan for over a decade. She jokes that she had it much harder because she started out with only an assortment of salads to choose from at restaurants. Nowadays, almost every eatery has a delicious vegan-friendly item on the menu.
Moreover, there are many entirely vegan venues that are great options for eating out. Chastain is very excited about her newest project: 355, a spy thriller with a cast mainly comprised of women. She herself had pitched the idea to the director of the film.
RZA
RZA, one of the members of the Wu-Tang Clan, has embraced veganism as his contribution to making the world a better place. He even made a video for PETA explaining why he feels so strongly that going vegan is the key to a brighter future.
RZA was a pescetarian at first but eventually decided to become fully vegan, feeling that it didn't make sense to put dead things into a living body. The streaming TV platform Hulu has released a trailer for its upcoming presentation of the story of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Alicia Silverstone
Actress Alicia Silverstone’s devotion to animal rights causes is legendary. She has been vegan for over 20 years and even published guides on the transition to veganism. One of her works, The Kind Diet, has become the go-to reference for those interested in going vegan.
But Silverstone's activism doesn't stop at promoting the vegan lifestyle. In July 2019, she attended a forum held by the United Nations, partnering with Cruelty Free International to lobby for a cause close to her heart: ending the use of animals to test cosmetic products.
Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu's great talent as a singer and songwriter has established her as a prominent figure in the music industry. From the very beginning of her career, her unique fashion sense has set her apart, and her unconventional sensibilities aren't confined to her artistic expressions.
Having embraced the lifestyle for over two decades, Badu is an advocate for veganism. Often sharing her food choices with her fans, she likes to incorporate all-natural ingredients into her meals, including the green juices that have become so trendy in the past few years.
Woody Harrelson
Actor Woody Harrelson has been very outspoken about his vegan lifestyle, claiming that his notoriously high energy levels are the result of his diet plan. In addition to staying away from animal products, he avoids cooking his meals, generally choosing to eat raw foods instead.
Harrelson reunited with actors Emma Stone and Jesse Eisenberg for his latest project, Zombieland: Double Tap. As he prepares for the release of this long-awaited sequel, he has also agreed to play a role in the upcoming Netflix thriller Kate alongside actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
Peter Dinklage
One of the best-known actors at the moment, Peter Dinklage's fame has skyrocketed as a result of his tremendous performance in the role of Tyrion Lannister on the show Game of Thrones. He became vegan decades ago, considering this diet to be the most compassionate.
But Dinklage isn't resting on his laurels after the series finale of the hit HBO drama. He's wasted no time getting involved in his next project, the thriller I Care a Lot, co-starring with actress Rosamund Pike from Gone Girl and actor Chris Messina from Sharp Objects.
Tony Kanal
Tony Kanal takes his activism very seriously, striving to raise awareness of animal rights causes by making the most of his platform as the bass guitarist of the legendary band No Doubt. He’s become deeply involved in many organizations, from PETA to Mercy for Animals.
Although Kanal’s spent most of his life as an advocate for animal welfare, it wasn’t until the last decade that he adopted the vegan lifestyle. According to him, the turning point came when he realized the truth behind the saying that we are what we eat.
James Cameron
Filmmaker James Cameron has always been very environmentally conscious, which was why he decided to try out a vegan diet program as a way to reduce his carbon footprint. But he and his family quickly realized that there were added benefits to this lifestyle choice.
Everyone in Cameron's family says that switching to vegan foods has improved their lives not just physically but also emotionally because it feels healthier to them. In his enthusiasm, Cameron even directed a documentary about veganism. As of 2019, he's shooting a National Geographic special exploring the mysteries under the sea.
Miley Cyrus
Actress and singer Miley Cyrus has been promoting so many animal-free clothing options that she might launch her own fashion line very soon. As a well-known animal lover just as conscious of what she eats as of what she wears, she's also an outspoken vegan.
Furthermore, Cyrus strives to make the vegan lifestyle both accessible and delicious, recognizing that a wide range of food options is an important selling point to a lot of people. She's been sharing all of her favorite vegan meals, from mac and cheese to eggrolls.
Liam Hemsworth
We can only imagine the horror Cyrus would feel if her husband, actor Liam Hemsworth, were eating a steak right next to her. While this might work for some couples, Hemsworth actually cares just as much about animals as his wife does, so he too embraces veganism.
Since his rise to worldwide fame for his role in The Hunger Games movies, Hemsworth has expressed his concerns about the mistreatment of animals. He and Cyrus are currently in the process of rebuilding their property. When it burned down in 2018, he made sure all of their animals were evacuated during the fire.
Lewis Hamilton
According to Lewis Hamilton, one of the best Formula One racecar drivers, there's no reason athletes can't be vegan, too. After going vegan in 2017, he’s been very outspoken about his eating habits. His activism has led him to become involved in various projects promoting the lifestyle.
For instance, Hamilton teamed up with Cameron to make The Game Changers, a documentary presenting the vegan lifestyle as an option for athletes. He is one of many people in the sports world who consider the vegan diet to be healthier than the usual food choices.
Kyrie Irving
Basketball player Kyrie Irving is a frequently cited example of an elite athlete who has gone vegan. He himself says that ever since he stopped eating animal products, his energy levels have been much higher, enabling him to run faster and play better in general.
After playing for the Boston Celtics last season, Irving has now joined the New York Nets. Considered to be one of the best players in the NBA, he's expected to continue performing admirably with the help of his new eating habits and rigorous workout routine.
Will.I.Am
Rapper Will.I.Am switched to the vegan lifestyle a few years ago, and he’s happy with the positive changes he's seen in his life. Not only did it help him lose some weight, but his blood tests showed an improvement in his cholesterol levels as well.
Will.I.Am is a judge in the singing competition The Voice UK and has also participated in the kids’ version. He declared in July 2019 that he would love to collaborate on a project with singer Madonna, who recently released her newest music album, Madame X.
Craig Robinson
Actor Craig Robinson, known for his roles in the TV comedy The Office and in Pineapple Express, has nothing but good things to say about the vegan lifestyle. In the few years since he changed his eating habits, the results have been clear to see.
Robinson reports that he not only has lost a lot of weight thanks to his new diet plan but also feels much healthier. He will start filming in July 2019 for his newest project, titled Blue Moon, starring alongside actors Zac Efron and Kate Hudson.
Suzy Amis Cameron
Suzy Amis Cameron, the wife of James Cameron, left behind her modeling and acting career to become a full-time advocate for the vegan lifestyle, even publishing a book about it. She and her husband have also invested in various businesses geared toward the vegan market.
Furthermore, Cameron's been promoting the establishment of vegan schools, an effort to study and teach more sustainable practices. Her current goal in realizing this vision has been to turn the first of these schools, which opened in 2005, into a franchise across the United States.
Sadie Sink
We know actress Sadie Sink from the second season of Netflix’s hit TV series Stanger Things, where her role as Max has carried on to the show's third season. Deeply committed to seeking the best interests of animals everywhere, she started out as a vegetarian.
After she met Harrelson on the set of The Glass Castle, however, Sink realized that there was more she could be doing for animals. She is now a passionate adherent and advocate of veganism, sharing some of her favorite vegan recipes with many of her fans.
Stella McCartney
As a vegan fashion designer, Stella McCartney has taken up the cause of spearheading change within the industry. She openly rejects the use of fur or leather in any type of clothing and seeks alternative materials for her designs. Given her lineage, we’re not surprised at all.
For those of us who don’t know, she is the daughter of Paul and Linda McCartney, so she was raised on these beliefs from a very early age. We're sure that McCartney's mother, who championed the welfare of animals, would be very proud of her.
Jenna Marbles
Jenna Marbles took the YouTube scene by storm 10 years ago. In her vlogs, she simply discusses major events in her life without any commentary on current affairs. As a result, she has amassed a pretty big following, with 19 million subscribers to her channel.
Although Marbles has been very open about her struggles with adopting the vegan lifestyle, she is now a full-fledged vegan, even making vegan treats for her dogs. Her boyfriend is also a vegan YouTuber. If he pops the question, will they tie the knot with a YouTube wedding?
Simon Amstell
Comedian Simon Amstell adopted the vegan lifestyle to improve his mental health, but he has taken his advocacy of veganism to a whole new level. Using a comedic approach to the subject, he's seeking to shift people's perspectives on the way animals are being treated.
Doing what he does best, Amstell was the mastermind behind Carnage. A mockumentary that managed to be both highly entertaining and educational in tone, the film portrayed a future utopian society in which everyone was vegan and looked back on our carnivorous past in horror.
Ruby Rose
Australian-born actress Ruby Rose stopped eating fish at a young age, traumatized after finding out how shark-fin soup was made. It was thus only natural that she eventually transitioned to veganism. She’s been very open about her lifestyle, always carrying vegan snacks to satisfy any cravings.
Rose is at the height of her career. After her success on the hit show Orange Is the New Black, she's now starring in her own show as the iconic Batwoman. The series is set to be released in October 2019, much to the excitement of her fans.
Jerome Flynn
Actor Jerome Flynn is known worldwide for his role as the sellsword Bron on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. His hilarious performance earned him many adoring fans, but he adheres to a lifestyle in real life that we can’t imagine Bron would ever follow.
Flynn became interested in veganism because he had a crush on a vegan girl who gave him a lecture on all the terrible things the farming industry did to animals. Although at the beginning he had a hard time, he eventually embraced the lifestyle fully.
Mayim Bialik
Actress Mayim Bialik has evolved from the child star in Blossom to the genius we saw in The Big Bang Theory. She is an outspoken vegan who has converted her family to the lifestyle, even raising the child she had in college according to its precepts.
Bialik says that children actually can thrive under the vegan dietary regimen. In her dedication to this lifestyle, she has opened a vegan food venue in Los Angeles, California, as well as authored a vegan cookbook full of great-tasting alternatives to our favorite non-vegan meals.
Travis Barker
A member of the band Blink-182, Travis Barker is one of the most successful drummers of his generation. He started out as a vegetarian, having decided to forgo eating meat when he was only 13 years old. But that all changed in the year 2009.
It was in 2009 that he was in a terrible plane accident that almost ended his life. After recovering, he decided to become fully vegan, perhaps to assuage survivor's guilt. Since then, he's been a big proponent of the lifestyle, investing in projects to promote it.
Jack Monroe
Jack Monroe is a successful chef and author who changed their eating habits after determining that meat simply wasn't good for them. Having experienced poverty firsthand, they've pointed out, though, that veganism tends to be a privilege that only people of affluence can easily afford.
Monroe has written cookbooks that present affordable options for both vegan and non-vegan recipes. Their cookbooks have been well received by the public, with many people eager to try out these economical yet delicious recipes at home. Also, they have stopped drinking for the most part.
Kerry McCarthy
Veganism has found its way into British politics. Kerry McCarthy is a member of Parliament for Bristol East and of the Labour Party. Her political career has been devoted to the promotion of animal rights causes, particularly focusing on reforms in the farming and food industries.
However, McCarthy’s not a militant vegan, accepting that many people choose to eat meat. Furthermore, she acknowledges her responsibility to protect all her constituents whose livelihood depends on animal farming. Nonetheless, she has made great strides in her efforts to improve the welfare of animals.
Alan Cumming
One of the most charismatic actors on TV, Alan Cumming's performance on The Good Wife earned him an Emmy nomination. He’s now well into the second season of the show Instinct, where he plays the leading role as an openly gay police consultant and former CIA operative.
Cumming, who has been vegan for years, says that meat hasn't agreed with him since he was a boy. To maintain optimum nutrition at all times, he makes sure that there are always plenty of vegan snacks on set for both himself and the crew.
Ariana Grande
Although singer Ariana Grande grew up in an Italian household where she ate meat and cheese in abundance for most of her life, she decided to adopt a fully vegan lifestyle. Her diet program is filled with macrobiotic products that keep her happy and healthy.
It was announced in July 2019 that Grande would be hosting the VMA nominations. However, she might be unable to attend because she is scheduled to go on a promotional tour for her new album Sweetener at the same time. As of yet, she hasn’t made any official statements on the matter.
Kat Von D
Kat Von D built her career as a tattoo artist but has now become a very successful entrepreneur, launching various makeup lines under the aegis of brands like Sephora that have increased her fortune considerably. She has been very open about her vegan lifestyle choices.
After maintaining her eating habits while carrying her son, Kat Von D has vowed to raise him on the same beliefs, convinced that it will give him a happier, healthier life. She further stated that she wants him to care about social issues such as animal welfare.
Sia
Sia, a musician, has always cared deeply about animals, so she has found ways to promote their welfare, such as encouraging people to take them to the vet to prevent overpopulation. Furthermore, she embraced a vegetarian lifestyle until a few years ago, when she decided to go fully vegan.
Sia then became more and more vocal about her lifestyle, eventually participating in the vegan film project Dominion. Stars like Phoenix and actress Rooney Mara were some of the narrators in this tell-all documentary on the treatment of animals in the farming and agricultural industries.
Lucy Watson
Actress Lucy Watson rose to fame after participating in the reality TV show Made In Chelsea. After adopting the vegan lifestyle, she became very interested in the subject and started to promote it within her community and among her followers. She then decided to publish a vegan cookbook.
The release of Watson's work, Feed Me Vegan, was met with great success, bringing her a lot of recognition. She continues to advocate for this lifestyle, calling it a healthy diet with multiple benefits that she herself has experienced firsthand. Might there be a second book coming soon?
Christina Rees
Christina Rees is another member of the British Parliament, representing Neath, who’s an outspoken vegan. She has used her platform to push for legislation that would institute reforms in livestock farming, mainly with the intent of reducing the harmful effects of this industry on the environment.
Rees is also the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vegetarianism and Veganism. The group has various goals such as promoting the incorporation of vegan options into high schools and other institutions and making sure that foods and medications are properly labeled for vegans.
James Cromwell
Actor James Cromwell had a change of heart because of his role in the iconic and adorable film Babe, where he was in close proximity with several animals for the full movie. Afterward, he found himself unable to eat meat anymore, so he became vegan.
Cromwell is very accomplished, having received nominations for numerous awards, including the Oscars and the Emmys. He’s currently part of the cast of the second season of the hit TV show Succession. We also remember him for his outstanding performance in American Horror Story: Asylum.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch became famous for his role on the hit show Sherlock and continued to demonstrate his immense talent in films like The Imitation Game and the blockbuster franchise Avengers. He also happens to be a vegan, which has made him one of PETA’s favorite people.
Cumberbatch took on new challenges in the films The Current War and Brexit, looking to show his great versatility. He also appeared on the cover of GQ magazine wearing vegan clothes to promote this lifestyle, which is hardly a surprise considering his well-known kindhearted nature.
Rooney Mara
Rooney Mara achieved worldwide fame for her willingness to bring controversial and challenging roles to life in front of the camera, like in the film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, where she went to great lengths to lend credibility to the titular character. She has also been a vegan activist for years.
In addition to speaking out about her lifestyle everywhere she goes, Mara took part in the documentary Dominion. She joined stars like Phoenix and Sia in narrating portions of the film with the goal of shining a light on objectionable practices in the farming industry.
Kate Mara
Kate Mara shares more than just DNA with her sister, Rooney: not only are they both actresses, but they're also both vegans. Her role as an intrepid journalist in the first season of House of Cards is one of her most memorable performances so far.
This Mara sister is also very open about her vegan lifestyle, sharing that she often becomes obsessed with one or two meals. She has mentioned some of the delicious options now available to vegans, such as beet burgers that look exactly like the real thing.
Emily Deschanel
Actress Emily Deschanel is famous the world over for her role as an eccentric scientist on the show Bones. Her newest project, titled Animal Kingdom, is a step in a completely different direction. Like many of her peers, she has adopted a fully vegan diet.
Deschanel has decided to raise her two children as vegans as well. According to her, the trick is to make meals as colorful as possible, which is why she’s a fan of green juices and salads with plenty of ingredients. She even includes vegan chocolate in her family’s desserts.
Nathalie Emmanuel
Actress Nathalie Emmanuel won everyone’s heart in her role on the show Game of Thrones, where she went from being a slave to becoming an advisor of the queen – only for Cersei to have her killed, of course. She is very outspoken about her vegan lifestyle.
Emmanuel’s very vocal on the subject of animal rights and uses her platform to promote her causes. On her social media accounts, for instance, she urges her fans to adopt what she considers a healthier lifestyle and to take care of animals around the world.
Harley Quinn Smith
The daughter of director Kevin Smith, Harley Quinn Smith is an accomplished actress who’s also developing a career as a musician with her band, The Tenth. She decided to forgo animal products at a young age after adopting a pet rabbit changed her outlook on her eating habits.
But Smith wasn't content to simply change her own lifestyle choices: she's been encouraging various family members to make the switch as well. In one of her greatest triumphs, she most recently convinced her father to opt for veganism after he had a heart attack.
Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith went through a very serious health scare when he was still young, which led him to make some major changes in his life. When the famed director of Mallrats joined his daughter in her vegan lifestyle, he saw many positive effects on his physical condition.
Smith lost a few pounds, his heart seems to be doing much better, and he now is also an activist for animal welfare. Fans of the Jay & Silent Bob films have been eagerly awaiting the release of his newest project, titled Jay & Silent Bob Reboot.
Zac Efron
Actor Zac Efron stole the hearts of millions of fans with his role in the High School Musical films. He has transitioned into adulthood with much more serious roles, most recently on the show focused on serial killer Ted Bundy's story on the streaming TV platform Netflix.
Efron decided to become vegan and hasn't looked back since. According to him, he has seen incredible changes in his life. Among the examples he gives are feeling like he has more productive workouts and higher energy levels while on set for his movie projects.
Jenna Dewan
An actress and dancer, Jenna Dewan has been a vegetarian for most of her life. After watching a documentary about slaughterhouses when she was only a child, she decided to forgo meat in favor of a mostly vegan lifestyle, occasionally making exceptions with certain foods.
Dewan rose to fame for her role in Step Up and has continued to perform dance routines throughout the years, often sharing pictures or videos of her workouts on social media. She was once married to her colleague Channing Tatum but is now dating actor Steve Kazee.
Olivia Wilde
Olivia Wilde is another actress who has been vegetarian for most of her life. For starters, she quit meat when she was only 12 years old and has never included it in her meals since. However, she has difficulty turning entirely vegan, so she goes back and forth.
Since becoming famous for her role in the TV drama House, Wilde leads a successful career as both an actress and a director. Her directorial debut in the film Booksmart was widely acclaimed by critics. Next, she will be directing a holiday film for Universal Studios.
Ellen Page
Ellen Page rose to fame for her role in the film Juno, starring as a teenager who plans on giving her baby up for adoption. Since then, she has starred in several successful projects like Inception. Her most recent one was Tales of the City, streaming on Netflix.
Because of the processes used in farming factories, Page thinks that eating meat is actually inhumane. Therefore, she’s been very open about her veganism and encourages people to search for alternatives to animal products. PETA has named her one of its favorite celebrities as well.
Joaquin Phoenix
An outspoken animal rights activist, actor Joaquin Phoenix is another celebrity who adopted veganism before it was cool. Born into a family devoted to taking care of the environment, he's been a vegan from his youth, though the family started out with a vegetarian lifestyle.
Phoenix is extremely talented, earning high praise for his performances. He now faces one of his biggest challenges yet: portraying the supervillain whose origin is the subject of the movie Joker. Ever since the studio released the first trailer, the film has been much anticipated.
Pamela Anderson
Nutrition is very important to actress Pamela Anderson, who became known for her beauty and talent on the hit TV show Baywatch. She's been making headlines ever since, such as when she posed for PETA decades ago to promote the organization's campaign against wearing fur.
Anderson took the campaign one step further, starting a vegan lifestyle that's lasted to this day and even owning a vegan restaurant for a short while in France. She frequently blogs about her passion for the lifestyle and has launched a footwear line that adheres to vegan standards