Throughout the years, many celebrities have chosen a vegan lifestyle to align with their values of animal welfare, social justice, and environmental conservation. Today, countless athletes and celebrities embrace the power of plants, not only for their own well-being but also to inspire and create positive change. From Joaquin Phoenix to Billie Eilish, Hollywood’s biggest names are making plant-based eating the new normal. Vegans once struggled to find a platform to share their views, but reaching audiences of millions via social media, the rising number of plant-based celebrities and vegans celebrities has helped to reach new audiences like never before.
The Rise of Veganism in the Spotlight
Not one to miss out on a trend, celebrities around the world are going vegan! Veganism was once considered a fringe movement but is now firmly in the mainstream thanks in part to vegan celebrities. Celebs today dish about their diets about as often as everyday folks discuss the weather, so it’s not surprising that Hollywood eating preferences can influence fans’ nutrition habits. Some choose to go on a vegetarian diet or vegan diet (which means passing on any animal products) for health reasons, while others commit to the meat-free lifestyle for ethical or environmental concerns, says Lauren Manaker, RDN, owner of Nutrition Now, who's based in Charleston, South Carolina.
Health Benefits of a Vegan Diet
No matter the reason, it’s generally a healthy move, Manaker says. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (PDF), vegetarians tend to have healthier weights, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reduced rates of cancer and type 2 diabetes compared with meat eaters. Plant-based eating has been linked to many significant health benefits, including lower blood pressure, body mass index, blood cholesterol, blood glucose levels, lower chronic disease risk, and more.
However, vegetarians (and especially vegans) need to be careful not to fall short on key nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and zinc, Manaker adds. Many of these micronutrients are derived from animal products, but with sufficient knowledge, can be obtained from plant-based sources.
Vegan Athletes and Performance
The answer is a resounding “yes.” Today, many professional athletes are seeing the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle as they apply to performance, inflammation, and recovery. Sports can take a heavy toll on joints and muscles, and the high concentration of phytonutrients and antioxidants in a plant-based diet can help reduce inflammation and speed injury recovery. In addition, muscles are fueled primarily by glycogen, a form of carbohydrate stored all around the body. Of course, good planning is key to ensuring a healthy diet for plant-based performers. A balanced vegan diet that can support high levels of performance must include plenty of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. The wider the variety of plants one consumes, the easier it will be to get all the required macro- and micronutrients. However, some people find that they need to supplement their diet in order to get certain vitamins, like B-12, which is not naturally found in any plant sources. The diet of a vegan athlete doesn’t look all that different from any other plant-based diet, but there may be greater emphasis on protein, carbohydrates, nutrient density, and overall caloric intake to meet the increased energy needs of a training and recovery schedule. Although these foods serve as great foundational elements for plant-based diets, it's important for vegan athletes and performers to pay attention to their individual nutritional needs as they can vary greatly depending on training schedules, energy requirements, and individual metabolism. As elite performers, vegan athletes, and celebrities need to be energized, focused, and healthy to stay on top of their game and busy schedules.
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Michael Phelps' Diet
When Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was at the height of his athletic career, his swimming abilities weren’t the only thing that created quite a bit of buzz. Phelps became known for his 10,000-calorie-a-day diet which included fried egg sandwiches, pounds of pasta carbonara, ham and cheese sandwiches, and entire pizzas, among other items. While this might sound like an unbelievable amount of food for the average person, many athletes have much higher daily calorie, protein, and carbohydrate requirements to support their lifestyle.
Vegan Celebrities: A Spotlight
Venus Williams
With seven Grand Slam titles, five Wimbledon championships, and four Olympic gold medals, tennis legend Venus Williams refused to let her autoimmune disease diagnosis slow her down. In 2011, Sjogren’s syndrome threatened to end her tennis career, but with proper treatment and a raw vegan diet, she was able to get back to the sport she loved. As she told Health, “Once I started, I fell in love with the concept of fueling your body in the best way possible." Williams is all about keeping things balanced and encourages leaving room for "fun" to motivate you to reach your plant-based eating goals. "[Eating vegan] doesn't mean you have to be perfect because you do have to have a little fun," she said. "But when you're doing the right things, and you're eating plants, and you're eating live foods, it helps you in your life. I think you feel more energized, and you feel more positive."
Lewis Hamilton
Today’s Formula One drivers must maintain a healthy diet and fitness routine to stay at the top, and with the record for the most career race victories, it’s safe to say vegan F1 driver Lewis Hamilton is proof. In 2017, he went vegan for both environmental and health reasons after watching the documentary What the Health. Six-time World Champion Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton adopted a plant-based diet for his health but is now increasingly concerned with animal rights issues and the ethics of meat. “I have plenty of protein in my diet and I’ve gained muscle, and I’m healthier and happier than I’ve ever been. His furry companion has suffered from health issues in the past which are common amongst the breed. Delightedly sharing the good news, Hamilton wrote: “He’s like a puppy again!
Chris Paul
The NBA All-Star and point guard for the Phoenix Suns made the switch to a vegan diet in 2019 with athletic performance in mind. After experiencing how quickly his stats and efficiency went up the following season, he decided to make the change permanent. As he told GQ, “Years ago, I probably wouldn’t have even gone outside to run around with my kids because my body would be aching.
Billie Eilish
Seven-time Grammy-winning singer Billie Eilish grew up eating a vegetarian diet and transitioned to a fully vegan diet at age 12 after learning how animals were treated in industrial food systems. As she continued to learn about the connection between climate change and animal agriculture, she became even more vocal about advocating for a compassionate, vegan lifestyle. Billie Eilish was raised vegetarian before going vegan and uses her time in the spotlight to advocate for veganism. Encouraging her fans to go vegan, she pleaded: “Leave animals alone. In 2018 she took to social media to show her 26 million followers the horrors of an Indiana dairy farm. After being raised vegetarian, pop star Billie Eilish told her followers on Instagram that she transitioned to a plant-based diet when she was 12. "Once I learned about how animals are treated in our industrial food system, I didn't want any part of it," she said via Instagram. Her particular desire for plant-based eating is focused not just on animal rights but also on climate change. "Shifting our diets towards more plant-based foods can have a major impact on climate change," she told her Instagram followers.
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Kyrie Irving
Like Chris Paul, Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving is among the NBA stars who have made the switch to a plant-based diet. Irving says he’s noticed improvements in his performance and recovery.
Ariana Grande
Grammy-winning singer Ariana Grande is an incredible vocalist - but she’s also vocal about her vegan lifestyle. While she’s been a vegetarian much of her life, she made the change to a vegan diet in 2013 because of her love of animals. Global pop sensation Ariana Grande has been a vocal advocate for veganism since adopting the lifestyle in 2013. Beyond her ethical stance, Grande has found that veganism complements her demanding schedule and supports her overall well-being. The Wicked star embraces a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins, which she says keeps her feeling energized and focused. Beyond her diet, Grande actively supports animal rights.
Joaquin Phoenix
The Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix has been vegan since the age of three, and now, in his late 40s, he’s using his platform to raise awareness about animal cruelty. Vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix doesn’t let the pressures of Hollywood stand in his way of spreading the vegan message. As well as featuring in a number of vegan billboard ads for PETA, he also attends protests and vigils.
Stevie Wonder
Legendary musician Stevie Wonder has been vegan since 2014 - a decision he made for both health and environmental reasons. Discussing the benefits of his vegan diet, Wonder said: “I’ve been a vegan for two years, so that’s helped my already good-looking self. Stevie is passionate about spreading the vegan message in order to safeguard the future of our planet. During an interview with AOL in 2016, Stevie Wonder admitted he had been following a vegan diet for over two years. "That's helped my already good-looking self," he said. "I think that eating healthy is important." His reasoning was both for his health, as well as environmental purposes: "We have to be about making our planet more greener, the urban areas more sustainable for the children. We can't just talk about it, we have to be about it."
Natalie Portman
Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman has been a vegetarian since age nine but decided to go vegan in 2011. Natalie Portman credits Tobey Maguire as her inspiration for going vegan in 2008. “I’m honest about caring about animals. Throughout quarantine, Portman has been sharing vegan cooking videos on social media. After deciding to go vegetarian when she was 9, Portman went fully vegan in 2011 after reading "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer, which focuses on animal rights.
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Hannah Teter
Hannah Teter, two-time Olympic medalist snowboarder, went vegan after watching the documentary Earthlings in 2016, and she’s never looked back. The abuses of the factory farming industry and the dangers of climate change may have inspired her to make the switch, but she’s also noticed a difference in how she feels. “My plant-based diet has opened up more doors to being an athlete,” Teter told The Beet, “It’s a whole other level that I’m elevating to.
Travis Barker
Punk rock musician Travis Barker may be most well known as the drummer of Blink-182, but today he’s also passionate about ethical, plant-based living and investing. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has been vegan since 2008 after surviving a tragic plane crash inspired him to focus on his health. The musician starts his day with an oat milk coffee and often enjoys dinner from his favourite vegan restaurant, Crossroads.
Alicia Silverstone
Actress Alicia Silverstone, best known for her role as Cher in Clueless, has been an outspoken advocate in the vegan movement since transitioning from a vegetarian to a fully plant-based diet in 1998 when she was 21 years old. In the years since she’s written two books on veganism. Few vegan celebrities have been vegan as long as Clueless star Alicia Silverstone who went vegan in 1998. Now, Alicia is a passionate animal activist who is raising her son as a vegan. Famous for her role as Cher in the iconic '90s film "Clueless," Alicia Silverstone said "as if!" to being a vegetarian and decided to switch to plant-based eating in 1998. Since then, Silverstone has been an active animal rights and food activist, publishing two books about veganism-"The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet" and "The Kind Mama."
Tia Blanco
Professional surfer and vegan athlete Tia Blanco has won multiple surfing competitions, all fueled by a plant-based diet. As a vegetarian since age 12, Blanco decided to go vegan in 2013 after watching the short film Glass Walls.
Woody Harrelson
Actor and environmental activist Woody Harrelson has been a vocal advocate for animal rights, but he first committed to a vegan lifestyle more than 30 years ago after realizing how much more energized he felt eating plant-based. When it comes to vegan celebrities, it’s fair to say that Hollywood actor Woody Harrelson was way ahead of the curve! The actor is friends with vegan chefs and Wicked Healthy founders Derek and Chad Sarno. Over 30 years into his vegan journey, Woody Harrelson has been following a plant-based diet for health and moral reasons, according to an interview with PETA. "I don't want to be a part of the exploitation of animals," he said. "It's not just about me not eating meat; it's about not using animals for any purpose."
Jermain Defoe
Professional English soccer player Jermain Defoe credits his athletic comeback to his transition to a vegan diet.
Scott Jurek
As one of the top ultrarunners in the world, Scott Jurek has been outspoken about his vegan lifestyle since 1997. He’s set at least ten-course records and run races up to 246 kilometers - all fueled by plants.
Novak Djokovic
In his book, Serve to Win, tennis champion Novak Djokovic cited health benefits as a primary motivation for adopting a plant-based lifestyle.
Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan, professional soccer player, and Olympic gold medalist, adopted a vegan lifestyle primarily for health and performance reasons, but also to align with her environmental values.
Fiona Oakes
World record marathon runner Fiona Oakes went vegan at the age of six and has continued to embrace a plant-based lifestyle to support her endurance running.
Lizzo
Lizzo is not only outspoken about body positivity, but she is also one of the most vocal vegans online. Lizzo transitioned to a plant-based diet in 2020 and has been sharing her vegan journey online with her followers ever since. "I'm not a vegan to lose weight, I just feel better when I eat plants," she said in a 2022 interview with Vanity Fair.
Sadie Sink
Inspired by Woody Harrelson after they worked together on the film "Glass Castle," Sadie Sink said in an interview with Glamour that she switched to a plant-based diet when she turned 14. "I had a lot of great vegan influences in my life, and was really inspired to try it out myself," Sink told the outlet. "I think everyone should consider it. It can be pretty intimidating at first, but just take it day by day. Every little choice counts!" Stranger Things star Sadie Sink credits Hollywood-legend Woody Harrelson for showing her that going vegan ‘totally doable’. Before meeting Harrelson Sadie followed a vegetarian diet. But after discovering the horrors of the egg and dairy industries, she decided “That’s it!
Jessica Chastain
After starting out as a vegetarian, actor Jessica Chastain decided to go vegan for health-related reasons-particularly high blood cholesterol. Instead of taking medication, Chastain changed her diet to lower her levels. After trying a two-week vegan delivery program, Chastain said in a 2017 interview with W magazine that she had "more energy than I've ever had in my life." And after switching back to her normal eating patterns, the stark difference in how she felt encouraged her to go vegan for good. "Being vegan was not anything I ever wanted to be," she said. "I just really was listening to what my body was telling me."
Stella McCartney
Influenced by her parents, especially her mother, Linda, who was an outspoken vegan and has a line of vegan foods named after her, Stella McCartney has been an outspoken vegan for over 20 years. Along with her food choices, McCartney is also passionate about creating luxury fashion with vegan products. Speaking to Vogue in 2019, she said, "[Real leather] kills animals, which no one seems to want to talk about anymore."
Maggie Q
Margaret Denise Quigley-more famously known as Maggie Q-is an actress, passionate animal rights activist, and a plant-based eater of over 20 years. "When I [gave up meat], my convictions were rooted in animal cruelty and environmental impact," she said in an interview with The Beet. "That's why I gave up meat. Because it wasn't about me and vanity and health, my convictions were very strong." Maggie has been a vocal animal activist for many years, and regularly teams up with PETA to promote the organisation’s causes. She told VegNews. “It made me sick, but nothing prepared me for the truth of the environmental impact of meat production. I quit cold turkey and never looked back.
Mayim Bialik
You probably know actor Mayim Bialik for her recurring role on "The Big Bang Theory," or her stint as the host of "Jeopardy!," but Bialik is also an outspoken vegan who not only cites animal rights as a reason for her going plant-based, but human rights as well. "We produce economically efficient food, but the question is, at what cost?" Bialik said in a 2016 YouTube video. "Look how quickly we are to ignore the humans that work in the factories who produce the food that we put on our plates," added Bialik, referring to the sometimes cruel conditions and environments people are made to work under-enduring safety risks, not paying workers a fair wage, and compromising people's civil rights, among other injustices. The Big Bang Theory actress and neuroscientist has been plant-based for over a decade, driven by both ethics and health.
Evanna Lynch
"Harry Potter" actor Evanna Lynch is also a candid vegan and even hosted a vegan podcast called "The Chickpeeps." Her decision to go vegan in 2014 was also thanks to the book "Eating Animals," which opened her eyes to the true nature of meat, egg, and dairy production. "We live in a society that wants you to forget about the mass slaughter and enslavement of animals and will do everything to make you feel strange for objecting to those things," she said in an interview with the Vegetarian Society. "So you have to hang on to your core reasons for being veggie and remember your truth because you will encounter naysayers or people who mock this lifestyle." Actor and animal advocate Evanna Lynch is a Veganuary Ambassador and even has her own vegan podcast called The Chickpeeps. The Harry Potter star first went vegan in 2015. According to Veganuary, her decision was based on compassion. She said in a statement, “It was just the right path for me.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Inspired by many documentaries touting the health benefits of plant-based eating, actor Michelle Pfeiffer convinced herself to go vegan after some extensive research. In an interview with Urbanette Magazine, Pfieffer credited going plant-based for how amazing she looks at her age. "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," she said. "I really noticed a difference in my skin not too long after switching to fully vegan." While she admits that vanity was her reasoning at first, Pfieffer has switched her perspective to health and longevity.
Olivia Wilde
Actor-director Olivia Wilde is vocal about animal rights and safety but also says going plant-based is why she glows from the inside out. "Beyond my desire to boycott the torture factories, I am also way happier when I eat a plant-based diet, and I feel about a thousand times more energetic," Wilde said in an interview with PETA, which crowned her as one of the sexiest vegetarian celebrities in 2010.
Elliot Page
Famously known for his current role as Viktor Hargreeves on "The Umbrella Academy," Elliot Page has been a vegan for over a decade and a very proud animal rights activist. PETA also crowned Page as the world's sexiest vegan in 2014. In 2011, he tweeted about his confusion surrounding why vegans are made fun of for their decision to go plant-based, questioning why the "inhumane factory farming process regards animals and the natural world merely as commodities to be exploited." Actor Elliot Page, best known for his role in iconic teen comedy Juno, has been a vegan for a decade. The actor has previously spoken out about the injustices facing farmed animals.
Pamela Anderson
After following a vegan diet for over 30 years, Pamela Anderson is set to star in her own cooking show where she will invite various guest chefs to cook plant-based recipes with her on camera. The show is set to air on Food Network Canada in 2024. However, in an essay she wrote for The Guardian in 2018, Anderson did refer to herself as a "naughty vegan," meaning she isn't so strict with it all the time. "I eat croissants. I do the best I can, but I'm not a dictator," she wrote. "It's a radical choice to be vegan, so I'm not so strict." Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson is a proud vegan and longtime animal rights activist.
Russell Brand
After being influenced by the 2017 documentary "What the Health," Russell Brand switched to a plant-based diet for health purposes. Brand is so passionate about veganism that rumor has it he's converting an Oxfordshire pub into a vegan restaurant. He hopes his desire to follow a plant-based diet will someday inspire his kids to do the same. "My daughters are vegetarian. My wife isn't. I'm vegan," Brand tweeted back in 2019.
Kevin Smith
Animal advocate Kevin Smith first went vegan to get healthy after a heart attack. Filmmaker Kevin Smith went vegan after experiencing a major heart attack in 2018. Since then Smith has been very vocal about the health benefits of a vegan diet, which first prompted his transition. He previously appeared with his vegan daughter Harley-Quinn Smith in a promotional video for Farm Sanctuary. Jay and Silent Bob star Kevin Smith went vegan following a heart attack that threatened his life. Harley Quinn told New York Post publication Page Six, “He’s the healthiest he’s ever been.
Will.i.am
The Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am has also enjoyed multiple health improvements after moving to a vegan diet. “I switched my regimen, went plant-based and it changed my life. I lost 20 lbs. My cholesterol came down, my high blood pressure came down. My stress levels came down naturally. “It changed my life, and I would encourage everybody to have a plant-based regimen,” Will.i.am added. “You don’t need the meat, you don’t need to have decaying flesh in your body. Willi.i.am even shared a video to Instagram where he highlighted the importance of a plant-based diet as a form of self-help and self-medication.
Simon Cowell
The former “American Idol” host and music mogul Simon Cowell is now plant-based. “It has helped me sleep and I wake up feeling less tired. I noticed a massive difference in how I felt in about a week,” he told the Sun. “Within 24 hours I changed my diet and I’ve not looked back since,” Cowell said in an interview with the Sun.
Miley Cyrus
Animal advocate and musician Miley Cyrus has been vegan since 2014. Cyrus has collaborated with fashion designers to create her own vegan-friendly clothing, including Converse.
Craig Robinson
“The Office” and “Brooklyn Nine Nine” star Craig Robinson gave up meat in January 2016 and said that animal-based foods had started to make him feel unhealthy. “[I’m] working out and I’ve been trying this vegan lifestyle too. It’s amazing,” Robinson told talk show host Harry Connick Jr. “I just wanted to push away from meat and stuff for a little while,” said Robinson. He added that he had “heard you can regenerate your liver in six months.
Mena Suvari
“I believe it was not only seeing footage of what happens within our world towards animals, but also the way that the documentary clearly explained the health aspect of veganism,” Suvari told LIVEKINDLY. Suvari has worked on an anti-vivisection PSA with Last Chance for Animals and, since going vegan, overhauled her entire wardrobe.
Zac Efron
Although he doesn’t currently adhere to a vegan diet, actor Zac Efron has experimented with veganism and has even credited his toned physique to plant-based food. “I’ve been experimenting with eating purely vegan,” Efron explained. “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.
Steve Harvey
TV host Steve Harvey enjoyed multiple health improvements after adopting a vegan diet. “Let me tell you something. “I have the cholesterol levels of an infant,” he added. “My cholesterol numbers are lower than my cardiologist’s cholesterol numbers… You can eat your way healthy.
Kim Kardashian
In an Instagram video, Kardashian told Anastasia Soare-founder of the cosmetics company Anastasia Beverly Hills-that veganism was responsible for her slim waist. The “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star regularly shares pictures of vegan food on her Instagram, including plant-based sausages and mung bean-based JUST egg.
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