5 Famous Figures Who All Share One Major Lifestyle Choice

From earthday.org 

Pop quiz! See if you can name the five famous figures described below:

A Grammy award winning superstar with “Ocean Eyes.” A migrant rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. A legendary F-1 racer with the words “Still I Rise” tattooed across his back. A Swedish environmental and human rights activist bent on meaningful action over words. A popstar-actress stunning audiences in her most recent performance as Glinda in a film adaptation of Wicked.

What do these giants of the 20th and 21st centuries have in common? I’ll give you a hint: it has everything to do with fruits and veggies and nothing to do with meat. They are all vegans!

For those in need of a refresh, veganism is a spectrum of animal-product abstinence, ranging from those who don’t consume meat, eggs, and dairy-products to those who also avoid honey, leather, and any animal-tested products from their lives. Generally, vegans try to avoid exploiting animals for any purpose, including in their diets but also through entertainment — some vegans avoid zoos, aquariums and any form of ‘safari’ or marine parks that force animals to perform. 

In terms of benefits, a vegan diet comes with decreased risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and lower LDL-C cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

On a societal level, if more of us went vegan it would dramatically reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with animal farming — from clearing forests for pasture to the production of animal feed and especially reducing the methane emission and waste from cows, pigs, chickens, and other farmed animals. A single cow produces between 154 to 264 pounds of methane gas every year, collectively the world’s 1.5 billion cattle, raised specifically for meat,  release 231 billion pounds of methane  into the atmosphere each year. 

As World Vegan month marches on this November, let’s explore some of the most influential vegan figures of the last couple of decades, from activists to athletes to singers. Each one has found something meaningful in their animal-free diets and each one touts the benefits, either for health reasons, out of environmental concern, or from a deep-seated love for our fellow animals.

On Tour & Beyond: Billie Eilish

Singer-songwriter and outcast anthem queen Billie Eilish refuses to shy away from taboo topics — including those around body image and diet. The 23-year-old popstar grew up in a vegetarian household and eventually initially switched to a vegan diet over body insecurities. However, her beliefs deepened once she learned about the animal cruelty rampant in the dairy industry.

On her 2024-25 tour for the album Hit Me Hard and Soft, Billie has requested that arenas serve plant-based options. At the O2 Arena in London, the menu featured vegan chipotle tacos, peri-peri halloumi wraps, and corn naan. Additionally, Billie advocates for sustainable venue practices, encouraging fans to bring reusable water bottles and selling merchandise made from recycled cotton.

From the Farm: César Chávez

Founder of the National Farm Workers Association (now the United Farm Workers), César Chávez worked tirelessly for the rights of farm and migrant workers. Made famous by his powerful leadership and nonviolent tactics, Chávez participated in the Delano Grape strike and the 340-mile march from Delano to Sacramento in 1966.

And Chávez didn’t just fight for human rights. He took compassion and nonviolence to their logical next step: animal rights.

For the last 25 years of his life, Chávez was a dedicated vegan and took pride in converting friends and family to plant-based diets. He called for the end of animal exploitation, just as he had for workers in his early life.

Athletes Galore! Lewis Hamilton

Legendary British F-1 racer Sir Lewis Hamilton has the respect of every one of his peers. He’s risen to the top of the all-time pole positions list, surpassing even his idol Ayrton Senna. From his rookie performance in 2007 to his seventh Formula-1 championship, Hamilton consistently outperforms expectations, reaching for the top. And, he credits much of his success to his vegan diet.

Hamilton went vegan in 2017 out of concern for the environment, citing animal cruelty and pollution. He says his diet keeps him in peak physical condition. For those interested in following his lead, Hamilton recommends a gradual transition rather than full-throttle veganism. “Don’t go hard,” he says. “Because it is hard. You’ve just got to taper things off.” After switching, the racer discovered a love of vegan pancakes and avocado toast.

An Activist’s Stance: Greta Thunberg

From the her beginnings outside of the Swedish parliament holding a cardboard sign emblazoned with the words “Skolstrejk för klimatet” (school strike for the climate) to her numerous attempts to reach Palestine with humanitarian aid, social and environmental activist Greta Thunberg has cemented herself as an outspoken proponent of human and planetary rights. And her dedication to the environment isn’t confined to her public life.

Thunberg went vegan in 2013 at the age of 10. In 2012, she collaborated with vegan charity Mercy for Animals in the short film For Nature which explores the ecological costs of animal farming on biodiversity, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions.

From the Stage: Ariana Grande

One of the quintessential pop stars of her generation, vocal powerhouse Ariana Grande has packed her career with awards and chart records, building an iconic and instantly recognizable image. And, a part of that famous image involves advocating for animal rights and a plant-based diet.

Grande went vegan in 2013, curbing her junk-food diet to lose weight and find confidence in her body image. Beyond her own health and happiness, the singer is very vocal about animal product consumption and animal rights. In an interview with Viva!, Grande said she didn’t think humans should be drinking milk from cows. In November 2020, she founded Orange Twins Rescue, a Los Angeles based non-profit that gives abandoned animals a second chance.

Taking Inspiration from Our Idols

Veganism isn’t exclusive to celebrities and activists. Like Billie and Ariana, a plant-based diet may help you feel happier, healthier, and more positive about your body. Like Lewis, you might find yourself with more energy and fewer allergies. Or, like Greta and César, the fight for animal rights may push you to make a difference within your own life and diet. Whatever the case, there are options out there to begin a sustainable vegan transition. 

Remember plant-based diets are one of the most effective ways to fight climate-change in your own life. Meatless Mondays or Veganuary are structured time periods to try animal-free diets without jumping straight into a full-on diet change. For more information on food and regenerative agriculture, click here. Find more information on the history of veganism here.

https://www.earthday.org/5-famous-figures-who-all-share-one-major-lifestyle-choice/