Celebrity vegans: Why Sonam Kapoor, Jared Leto and other stars went plant-based

It’s World Vegan Day on November 1, and there are plenty of celebrities who have adopted a completely plant-based diet. The vegan diet requires its eaters to ditch dairy and meat, as well as eliminate the use of animal byproducts — whether in fashion, such as fur, or in beauty, such as make-up that is animal tested. Here are a list of celebrities who have spoken out about their veganism — and why they chose the diet.

Ariana Grande: The ‘Positions’ singer has reportedly been vegan since 2013, and it all comes down to her love of animals. Grande, who’s known to go everywhere with her dog, Toulouse, says her veganism is rooted in her love for animals. “I love animals more than I love most people, not kidding. But I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-around happier person,” she told the ‘Mirror’.

Jared Leto: The 48-year-old ‘Joker’ actor is known for looking pretty much the same, no matter what age he is. Asked in 2013 about preserving his appearance, he told ‘GQ’: “It’s probably just down to sleep and diet. If you travel long haul a lot or don’t sleep much, it’s not going to last very long, that’s for sure. I’m pretty healthy so I think that helps a lot. I’ve been that way for a long time – 20 solid years of eating vegetarian/vegan and taking care of myself. That probably helps the preservation process.”

Natalie Portman: Though the actress paused her diet in 2011 while pregnant, she’s outspoken about her veganism. “Only after I became active in women’s issues did I realise that my veganism was related to those very issues. Dairy and eggs don’t just come from cows and chickens, they come from female cows and female chickens. We’re exploiting female bodies and abusing the magic of female animals to create eggs and milk,” said the actress. Portman also shot back at those who mock the diet. “So now lots of people make fun of vegans, right? Lots of people make fun of anybody who cares about anything deeply, right? But I’m here to say, it is always a great thing to care … whether it’s environmental issues, animal rights, women’s rights, equality, never be afraid to show how much you care.”

Stevie Wonder: The iconic singer behind hits such as ‘Isn’t She Lovely’ and ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ went vegan later on in his career. In 2018, he told AOL that he had been vegan for two years. “That’s helped my already good-looking self,” joked Wonder. “We have to be about making our planet greener.”

Benedict Cumberbatch: Move aside, John Legend, and forget about People’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’. Benedict Cumberbatch was crowned the Most Beautiful Vegan by PETA in 2018. Asked in an interview whether he likes the famous South African chicken restaurant Nando’s, the English actor replied: “Well, only if they’ve got vegan options!” In another interview, the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ star recalled going to Singapore to film with his ‘Avengers’ castmates, and trying to experience the local cuisine, “As much as a vegan can.”

Beyonce: Beyonce went public about her veganism two years ago — but it seems like it’s not a permanent dietary choice for the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, but more of a “nutrition challenge” that she and her husband Jay Z often embrace. In 2018, she again went vegan for 22 days leading up to her iconic Coachella performance. Beyonce said she struggled to lose weight after the birth of her twins, Rumi and Sir, and switched to eating healthy, plant-based meals. “I was a woman who felt that my body is not mine,” said Beyonce in the video. “It’s time to work, so I have to get in that zone.” The video ends with Beyonce twirling and exclaiming, “Guess who fits into Wonder Woman costume? This is a very big deal — I’m getting there, I’m coming back. She’s coming back!”

Sonam Kapoor: Sonam Kapoor has been a vegan for years, but she’s unafraid to speak about the pitfalls of the diet. The actress had a word of warning for her fellow plant-based eaters last year, writing on Instagram: “Just a note to all the vegetarians and vegans out there! Please make sure you’re SALT with IODINE in it. I’ve just found out I have an iodine deficiency. And table salt is the easiest way to get iodine. Thank you guys! Love you all!”

Aamir Khan: The Bollywood actor reportedly turned vegan after his wife Kiran Rao showed him a video about the 15 deadliest diseases and how certain dietary lifestyles can help combat them. The actor, known for his drastic physical transformations for his roles, said that the way a person eats should be their top priority when weight change is the goal. “Diet is number one in changing your body. It doesn’t matter how much you exercise — if your diet isn’t right, the results won’t show,” said Khan.

Richa Chadha: You may have seen Richa Chadha’s PETA ads, where she’s dressed in a couture off-shoulder lettuce dress and taking a bite out of a crunch leaf — so, there’s no doubt about the actress being vegan. She also penned an essay about it in the Indian Express, writing: “I know food is a cultural and emotional issue. I know. I belong to the land of butter chicken and paranthas with desi ghee and curd. But it’s bad for you. Certain meat consumption helps contribute to colonic cancer and dairy is linked to osteoporosis.  The meat you eat can stay rotting in your intestines (which are really looooong) for days. And ferment.”