Grosse Pointe 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 29, 2010

Contact:
Kristina Addington 757-622-7382

Grosse Pointe, Mich. -- 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 24-year-old Jehone Shaqiri beat out hundreds of other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 female contestants to advance to the final round.

Shaqiri has been vegan for two years and says that she has her companion Yorkie, Tiffy, to thank for the switch. After bonding with her pooch, Shaqiri became very connected to the plight of animals. She visited PETA.org to find out more about puppy mills, and while on the site, she also learned about the cruel treatment of animals on factory farms. She hasn't eaten or used any animal-derived products since, and she says that she now feels healthier and happier. She also loves getting creative at the grocery store while filling her shopping cart with wholesome, cruelty-free foods. Shaqiri also shares her home with Smythe, a Labrador retriever who was saved from an animal shelter two days before he was scheduled to be euthanized.

"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 Shaqiri'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.

For more information and to vote in the contest, please visit PETA.org or click here.