Fans Can Vote for Their Favorites on PETA Prime's Web Site

For Immediate Release:
August 5, 2009

Contact:
Lindsay Rajt 757-622-7382

Ramona, Calif. -- What do Prince, Sir Paul McCartney, and Christie Brinkley have in common? Besides their enduring star power, they are all sexy vegetarians who just happen to be over 50. Their sizzling example is what inspired PETA to expand its popular series of Sexiest Vegetarian contests to include the over-50 set. After receiving more than hundreds of entries from across the U.S. for its Sexiest Vegetarian Over 50 contest, PETA has narrowed the field down to 10 men and 10 women -- and 70-year-old Ramona resident Mimi Kirk is among the finalists.

Kirk went vegetarian about 40 years ago when she realized that she simply didn't want to harm animals. She makes a point of buying cruelty-free products and encourages others -- including her children, who are now vegetarian as well -- to follow a healthy, humane, environmentally friendly diet. Kirk worked as a stand-in for Mary Tyler Moore in the '70s, designed clothes for Valerie Harper on Rhoda, and once worked for Betty White. She now spends her time hiking and practicing qigong, a self-healing art that combines movement and meditation. She credits her diet with keeping her in such good shape at 70. "I swear I feel like I'm in my 20s," she says. "It's amazing."

"Unlike many of their peers who are on medication for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and impotence, older vegetarians tend to be slim and healthy -- and that makes them sexier too," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "One look at our lineup of sexy finalists and it's clear that their vegetarian diets agree with them."

Kirk's photo and bio, along with pictures of the other vegetarian vixens and herbivorous hunks who were selected as finalists, are available at PETAprime.org. The winners -- who will each win an organic food gift basket from Vegan Divine -- will be announced on August 24.

For more information and to vote in the contest, please visit PETAprime.org.