What was once potentially seen as a weird, alternative lifestyle has now hit the mainstream masses. Veganism, a plant-based alternative to fashion, dietary products and general lifestyle has been picking up haste over the years. The vegan culture makes up over 26% of the world’s population, with 3.5 million vegans in the UK alone, and 7.3 million vegans in America.
But who sits within this 26% of vegans? There are estimated to be 32 celebrities who are confirmed vegans as of 2017; this list includes some huge names such as Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande. Joaquin Phoenix, and Ellen DeGeneres.
These aren’t recent converters either; Joaquin Phoenix has been vegan since he was three years old, Ariana since 2013 and Miley since 2014 – they are hardcore believers, activists and promoters of an animal-free lifestyle, and with such large audiences and followers you can bet that their lifestyle choices have contributed to the increasing number in those committing to plant-based lifestyles.
But why are celebrities turning vegan?
Depending on who you talk to, there are multiple reasons as to why someone may turn to a plant-based lifestyle. Ultimately, there are three core reasons that are continually referred to:
Health and beauty; 65% of the world’s population struggle to digest milk, leaving you feeling constantly bloated when consuming dairy. IA plant-based diet is also great for your skin. By removing dairy, you can decrease the chances of inflaming acne on our skin. It’s believed to be said that removing dairy can improve your Asthma and Rhinitis as well.
Diet and body; due to reducing less saturated fats through pasteurised dairy, and removing fatty meats with protein-based plants, celebrities are often using the vegan lifestyle as a way of losing weight and creating leaner, fitter bodies. Combined with exercise and the correct nutrients, a vegan diet is believed to be an effective way of achieving the desired physical goals you might have.
Animal welfare; as we become more conscious of our surroundings, we have become more akin to our connection to animals. This is the main draw towards veganism – we are more conscious towards sentient beings, their feelings and our natural human state to love and feel compassion has the effect of putting us off consuming animal products.
Commonly, and as seen with Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus, Celebrities turn to veganism to help promote animal welfare and devote their wide communication platform to helping their message of improving animal welfare across the board.
Animal-free alternatives within the fashion and beauty industry
As a result of this way of thinking the beauty, fashion and lifestyle industries are being disrupted and only for the better.
Combined with laws on animal rights for commerce, and the influence of celebrities converting to a vegan way of life, many brands are either providing animal-free alternatives ranges or are changing their range entirely.
L’Oreal has revisited their testing policies, especially within the UK and Americas, while H&M has reduced their use of animal products ten-fold over the last two years.
However, not all fashion brands are the result of a celebrity culture change. Brands such as Kuma Design, who provide handcrafted butterfly brooches and fashion accessories have been around for years and use animal-free materials due to their versatility and quality in production which has, of course, improved vastly over time.
Furthermore, brands like Kuma have helped improve the image of animal-free alternative fashion. This poses the opportunity for celebrities, vloggers and fashion influencers to be able to work with brands of all sizes and not compromise on their values or morals.
However, this isn’t always the case, with Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde and Zooey Deschanel still working on brand partnerships with brands who either provide products that test on animals or include animal substances in them.