Chicago Woman Is Finalist in PETA's 'Sexiest Vegetarian' Contest

The Vote Is On--Winners Will Head Off to Maui for One Week

For Immediate Release:
March 24, 2010

Contact:
Kristina Addington 757-622-7382

Chicago -- What do Heroes hottie Milo Ventimiglia and country music crooner Kellie Pickler have in common? They are the reigning king and queen of PETA's annual Sexiest Vegetarian Alive contest. PETA has now expanded the contest to include the Sexiest Vegetarians Next Door--one male and one female--and 23-year-old Chicago resident Kristin Gerhart beat out hundreds of other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 female contestants to advance to the final round.

Gerhart is a film editor who regularly hosts vegan dinner parties (including a vegan Oscar party) and enjoys rock climbing and bike riding. She recently adopted a vegan diet (after going vegetarian five years ago) and says that since the switch, she feels more energetic, lighter, and generally more at peace. Gerhart volunteers at the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, and this fall, she will be volunteering at orphanages and schools in Tanzania, Africa.

"On average, vegetarians are slimmer and healthier than meat-eaters are, and that makes them sexier too," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman, who notes that vegetarians get all the protein, vitamins, and other nutrients that they need without consuming all the cholesterol and saturated fats that are found in meat and dairy products. "One look at our radiant lineup of sexy finalists and it's clear that they're all winners."

To see Gerhart's photo and bio, along with profiles of the other sexy vegetarian finalists, please click here. The second round of voting ends March 31, and the two winners will be announced on April 14. Each winner will spend seven nights in beautiful Maui, courtesy of the PETA Member Advantage Program.

Gerhart is available for interviews upon request. For more information and to vote in the contest, please visit PETA.org or click here.