The only thing hotter than June’s rising temperatures may be the 100 nominees — 50 male and 50 female — who are in the running to be named PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity 2013.
And this year, the field is more varied than ever, with actors, musicians, athletes, comedians, and even a former U.S. president all up for the award.
Vegan moms Kristen Bell, Jenna Dewan Tatum, or Tia Mowry — PETA’s latest vegan star supporter — could win this year’s title, or actor and comedian Dax Shepard, Bell’s fiancé, could grab the crown, setting up a possible royal family affair. And Les Misérables star Anne Hathaway might add it to her list of 2013 awards. But they’ll all face stiff competition from TV’s Peter Dinklage, Edie Falco, and Portia de Rossi. Then there’s Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara, who both star in the upcoming film Ain’t Them Bodies Saints. The race could even come down to a run-off between former President Bill Clinton and Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker, or Minuto Para Ganar host Marco Antonio Regil could win big. Visitors to PETA.org can cast their votes for their favorite meat-free celebrities to help PETA decide who it should choose as the winners, and the winners — one man and one woman — will be announced on June 27.
Their motivations for going vegetarian are as varied as their professions. Peter Dinklage explains, “I wouldn’t hurt a cat or a dog or a chicken or a cow, and I wouldn’t ask someone else to hurt them for me.” Others made the change for their health, including Clinton, who famously went vegan to fight heart disease: “I just decided I’d like to hang around and see if I become a grandfather … so I changed my diet to try to drastically cut down on my cholesterol intake.” And he had great results. “[M]y vital signs are good, and I feel good,” he says.
Previous winners of PETA’s Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity contest include Woody Harrelson, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand, Olivia Wilde, Carrie Underwood, Prince, Natalie Portman, Shania Twain, Leona Lewis, André 3000, Tobey Maguire, and Alicia Silverstone.
Voting ends on June 26. Winners will be chosen by PETA based on several factors, including vote count, and announced on June 27. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
