For Immediate Release:
August 15, 2014
Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382
There’s no doubt that Ellen Page, Sharon Needles, and Jenna Talackova are sexy—but are they the Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrities of 2014? That’s what peta2—PETA’s youth division, whose motto says, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—hopes to determine with this year’s edition of its annual contest, now live at peta2.com. The nominees are more varied than ever, as today’s hottest celebrities vie for the title alongside Disney stars, punk icons, Oscar winners, pro athletes, and others. The winners—one male and one female—will be announced on August 25.
Talackova, who made history as the first transgendered Miss Universe Canada contestant, went vegan after watching undercover video footage of animals suffering in slaughterhouses. “I don’t think words can describe seeing an animal tortured like that,” she says. “It’s unethical, and it’s something I want to fight against.” Drag superstar Needles has, naturally, a more provocative outlook. “I make a career out of being drenched in fake blood, but the blood and guts is really real when it comes to the meat market,” she says. “It’s gross.” And Page is quick to point to the health benefits of meat-free meals. “I really used to eat a lot of crap,” she says. “And now I don’t, and I feel great, and I absolutely love healthy food.”
The full list of nominees—which also includes Laura Prepon, Jared Leto, Thomas Dekker, Rocsi Diaz, Olivia Wilde, Kristen Bell, and Russell Brand—is available here. Voting to help peta2 decide who to name as the winners ends on August 22. peta2 will ultimately select winners based on several factors, including vote count.
