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Vegan celebrities
Bridget Walsh on 19 September, 2011 | 
Ahimsa (non-violence) is a core value in yoga, part of the Yamas (ethical considerations) which are one of the 8 limbs (Ashtanga) of Yoga. Ahimsa can be interpreted in many ways, whether it be considered to be non-violence towards yourself, towards other people or towards other living beings. A prime example of an Ahimsa ideal is vegetarianism, though for the most part unless you are meticulously tracking the processes and consequences of every single one of your food choices, chances are you’re unintentionally contributing to an unpleasant existence for another creature in one form or another. This is why many people with a firm foundation of Ahimsa (whether yogis or not) opt to be vegan instead, removing the ‘need’ for any animal products to be used or created for their purchase or consumption, and therefore reducing the demand and condoning of mis-treatment of animals around the world.
In addition to non-violence toward other living things, opting for a vegan lifestyle also minimises violent treatment of our resources, labouring communities and the physical planet as a whole. People who choose to be vegan have a range of reasons for their decision, but whether it’s nutritional (Ahimsa towards yourself and your family), environmental (Ahimsa towards the planet & resources), equality (Ahimsa towards other communities across the world) or animal-rights (Ahimsa towards all living beings), vegnism is a working example of Ahimsa being both intentionally and unintentionally employed across the world today.
From a nutritional perspective, the idea of living an entirely plant-based lifestyle, has been getting increased press, coverage, inclusion and discussion over recent years. With ‘diseases of affluence’ (heart disease, cancer, diabetes etc) claiming lives by the minute, it’s no wonder people are finally starting to make a REAL connection between what we put in our bodies and how are bodies work as a result. We have an article based purely around plant-based nutrition coming up soon, but in the meantime I thought I’d whet your appetite with a list of celebrities and public figures who have made the switch to a plant-based lifestyle. Making a change in your life, like moving towards a vegan diet, can seem like an extreme decision that isn’t very accessible, so having a list of recognisable people who are living full and productive lives while maintaining a vegan-lifestyle could just be the encouragement you need!
Although I couldn’t possibly guarantee how celebrities are eating behind closed doors, according to current public knowledge, here is a selection of some of my favourite celebrity vegans. This is collated from my own media trawling and the ever-faithful Wikipedia (check out the Wiki page “List of Vegans” for a more in depth list).
• Sandra Oh (actress) - Yang off Gray’s!
• Leonardo da Vinci (artist, scientist)
• Jason Schwartzman (actor, musician)
• Mayim Bialik (actress) - BLOSSOM!!
• Lisa Edelstein (actress) - Cuddy off House
• Lea Michele (actress and singer) - the glorious Rachel from Glee!!
• Casey Affleck (actor)
• André 3000 (rapper)
• Gillian Anderson (actress - X Files!)
• Woody Harrelson (actor)
• Sinéad O'Connor (singer, songwriter)
• Prince (singer, songwriter)
• Carrie-Anne Moss (actress) - Trinity in the Matrix
• Avril Lavigne (singer, songwriter)
• Alec Baldwin (actor)
• Ellen DeGeneres (actress)
• Portia de Rossi (actress)
• Bryan Adams (singer, songwriter)
• Emily Deschanel (actress) - Bones
• Morrissey (former lead vocalist of The Smiths)
• Alanis Morissette (singer, songwriter)
• Ruben Studdard (2nd season winner of American Idol)
• Jason Mraz (American singer/songwriter)
• Daryl Hannah (actress)
• Jared Leto (actor) - and yes, the singer in that band.
• Mike Tyson (boxer)
• Tobey Maguire (actor)
• Joaquin Phoenix (actor) (and River Phoenix)
• Alicia Silverstone (actress)
• Olivia Wilde (actress) - ‘Thirteen’ off house (the hot one)
• Fiona Apple (singer, songwriter)
• Erykah Badu (singer, songwriter)
• Brian Bell (guitarist for Weezer)
• Cedric Bixler-Zavala (singer for The Mars Volta)
• Geezer Butler (bassist, songwriter and founding member of Black Sabbath)
• Tim Commerford (bassist for Rage Against the Machine)
• Robin Gibb (The Bee Gees) Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders)
• Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
• k.d. Lang (singer, songwriter) Dennis Lyxzén (The (International) Noise Conspiracy and Refused) Johnny Marr (former guitarist for The Smiths)
• Matisyahu (singer, songwriter)
• Moby (Electronic musician) Omar Rodríguez-López (The Mars Volta and At The Drive-In)
• Rikki Rockett (drummer and founding member of Poison)
• Justin Sane (guitarist and vocalist of Anti-Flag)
• Bill Ward (drummer and founding member of Black Sabbath)
• Saul Williams (Hip hop musician, poet, writer, and actor)
• "Weird Al" Yankovic (singer, songwriter)
• Thom Yorke (lead vocalist of Radiohead)
• Nick Zinner (guitarist for Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
• Cathy Jamieson (member of the Scottish Parliament)
• Kerry McCarthy (UK Member of Parliament)
• Bob Harper (personal trainer) - off The Biggest Loser (US)
• Heather Mills (charity campaigner and former model)