PETA, an animal rights organization, has unveiled the Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2023.
Among the recognized breakout stars are Bella Ramsey and Halle Bailey, both of whom have had remarkable beginnings to the year.
Ramsey gained prominence for their role alongside Pedro Pascal in The Last of Us, while Bailey enchanted audiences as Ariel in the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
Over the years, PETA has bestowed the title of Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrity upon various stars, including Jared Leto, Lenny Kravitz, Ruby Rose, and Jenna Dewan.
In an interview with PETA and Newsweek, the 19-year-old British actor Ramsey expressed their commitment to veganism, stating, “I’m vegan primarily because I love animals. But I also, like most of us, care about the planet. The environmental benefits of going vegan are so significant.”
Ramsey, who achieved international acclaim for their portrayal of Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones, revealed their nonbinary identity in a June 2023 interview with British Vogue, asserting that “‘they’ pronouns are the most truthful for me. That’s who I am most.”
Senior Vice President Lisa Lange praised the actions of both young stars, expressing hope for the future. She stated, “Bella Ramsey and Halle Bailey remind everyone to save who you can save by keeping animals off your plate, both on land and under the sea. PETA’s Most Beautiful Vegans of 2023 are superstars shining their light on a bright vegan future for Hollywood.”
Bailey, aged 23, follows a vegan lifestyle alongside her older sister and musical collaborator, Chloe Bailey.
Although she experienced a mixed year with the release of The Little Mermaid, Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel sparked controversy in certain circles. Critiques emerged regarding her casting, as some argued that it deviated from the original fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen or the 1989 Disney cartoon.
When the first footage of the movie emerged in 2022, social media users debated the scientific accuracy and claimed that the casting of a Black actress was inconsistent.
While the film performed well in Western territories, it underperformed in Asian markets, leading to speculation about the influence of Asian beauty standards. Chinese state-run news site Global Times even accused Disney of “forced inclusion of minorities.”
For those interested in embracing veganism like Ramsey and Bailey, PETA offers free vegan starter kits. The organization’s mission statement opposes speciesism and proclaims that “animals are not ours to eat,” emphasizing their commitment to challenging a human-supremacist worldview.
See full list here.
