Stars, they’re just like us! Maybe that’s not entirely true…. but they certainly eat just like us. There are countless celebrities who are vegan, in fact!
As veganism hits headlines more often and its popularity increases globally, it’s no wonder more and more celebrities are going vegan and becoming advocates for the lifestyle.
Ditching meat and dairy isn’t only good for the animals, the positives experienced from going plant-based work in the favour of appearance-conscious a-listers: More energy, glowing skin, a leaner body and a slimmer waist.
These aren’t the reported outcome of the latest celebrity treatment fad but the long-term effects cited by those who take the plunge in joining the V-gang.
You’re in good company, check out these 15 celebrities who are vegan and who are all ditching animal products in favour of a vegan diet:
Ellen Pompeo
An American TV icon, Ellen Pompeo puts her youthful looks down to her vegan diet. The Grey’s Anatomy star Pompeo has been vegan for many years and explains her diet is in part for the environment, “I think we’re at a critical point for our planet”, she told People magazine.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Everyone’s favourite TV sleuth Benedict Cumberbatch is just one of the Avengers’ many vegan stars. When asked about his training regime, he put his incredible shape down to his plant-based diet.
Alicia Silverstone
Eating meat? Ugh as if! The Clueless actor turned social media superstar has been vegan for over 20 years.
A vocal advocate for veganism has even turned her hand to writing about her plant-based lifestyle, authoring ‘The Kind Diet (2011)” a vegan recipe book and diet guide that charted at #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list.
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman and veganism have become largely synonymous by now, as the actor is consistently vocal about the benefits of eating vegan.
Having been vegetarian since the age of 9 and fully vegan since 2011 she does it for the animals, saying “three times a day I remind myself that I value life and do not want to kill other living beings.”
Ariana Grande
For pop princess and international superstar, Ariana Grande going vegan in 2013 was the ultimate mood-booster. She said “I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based diet that can make you an all-round happier person.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Muscle-man and movie star Arnie shows how vegan diets can work for everyone. The 73-year-old maintains his famous shape whilst eating a cruelty-free diet. I wonder if he gets asked where he gets his protein from?
Zac Efron
Muscle-bound movie star, Zac Efron went vegan in 2018 and has even since cited the diet for his toned body.
With a serious interest in where our food comes from, he even teamed up with Netflix to produce a documentary series focused on exploring the world with wellness expert Darin Olien.
Jessica Chastain
A-list actor Jessica Chastain may not have arrived at veganism intentionally, but the diet certainly resonated with her. A stroke of pure chance meant that Chastain ended up with a two-week supply of vegan meals that her friend wasn’t going to eat and from there, her journey to a fully vegan diet continued.
In an interview with W Magazine in 2017, she gushed that she “had more energy than ever” as a result.
JME
Grime-scene legend and member of Boy Better Know, JME has been a vegan pioneer in the UK, bringing the plant-based lifestyle to a new audience via social media.
Better known as JME, Jamie Adenuga has been vegan since 2012 and has championed the ease of the diet change saying, “it’s just normal now” in an interview. His brother, Skepta, has also been vocal about following a vegetarian diet, maybe he will follow in Jamie’s footsteps?
Elliot Page
Famous for his breakout role in the movie Juno, Elliot Page has been vegan for over 10 years. Named PETA’s sexiest vegan in 2014, they know how to be an advocate for the lifestyle.
Not only does Page stand up for animals with his diet, but also stands up for the plant-based lifestyle, tweeting “Why are vegans made fun of while the inhumane farming process regards animals merely as commodities to be exploited for profit?”.
Michelle Pheiffer
Actress and Hollywood royalty, Michelle Pfeiffer’s interest in veganism was led by her quest to find the ultimate diet to combat disease and increase health.
After Bill Clinton endorsed veganism as a medically proven way to prevent heart disease, Pfeiffer started investigating. Spurred on by losing her father to cancer, her vegan diet is a way to avoid disease and keep healthy.
The other benefits are just a plus; “I really noticed a difference in my skin not too long after switching to fully vegan” she explained in an interview.
Woody Harrelson
Prolific actor Woody Harrelson is also a dedicated vegan, having stuck to a plant-based diet for more than 30 years. He has even encouraged other celebrities such as Liam Hemsworth, Thandie Newton and Sadie Sink to take the leap and change up their diet for good.
A one-man, plant-powered machine, it will be interesting which celeb he converts next.
Bill Clinton
The former president turned devout vegan, Bill Clinton altered his diet to remove all animal products in the search for a healthier lifestyle.
Following a quadruple heart bypass, his vegan diet was encouraged by doctors to ensure his lifespan. In conversation with George W. Bush, he said “I didn’t give it a second thought. I realized that I was highly prone to arterial blockage, and I thought I’d cut my chances. I literally wanted to see if I could live to be a grandfather.”
Portia De Rossi
Actor and activist Portia De Rossi has been vegan for many years and made the change because of her love of animals.
In an interview with Oprah in 2012, she said that she had previously thought that meat was “a necessary part of life” but was moved after seeing cows greeting horses in a neighbouring field. Seeing these animals playing was the catalyst for dietary change, she said “I couldn’t possibly keep eating these animals.”
Venus Williams
Sports star and tennis champion Venus Williams has been vegan for over a decade, proving that you can get all the nutrients you need to thrive from a plant-based diet.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. 15 celebrities who are vegan. From pop princesses and Hollywood A-listers to world-class sports stars and notorious politicians, this list just goes to prove that people from all walks of life are vegan and it is no longer limited to the minority.
If you need inspiration to start following a meat-free diet, then be inspired by these 15 celebrities who follow a vegan lifestyle.
