North Hollywood Woman Is a Finalist in PETA’s ‘Sexiest Vegan Next Door’ Contest

Glamorous Model Credits Vegan Diet With Giving Her Youth and Vibrancy

For Immediate Release:
April 21, 2014

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

PETA’s Sexiest Vegan Next Door 2014 contest is down to the wire, and 38-year-old North Hollywood resident Katarina Van Derham could take home the grand prize. That’s because she has beaten out hundreds of other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 female contestants to advance to the final round. Two lucky winners—one female and one male—will each receive a free vacation for two to Maui, Hawaii, courtesy of HumaneTrip.com.

“Going vegan can help make you feel better on the inside, look better on the outside, and save the lives of more than 100 animals a year,” says PETA Special Projects Manager Alicia Woempner. “On average, vegans are fitter and trimmer than meat-eaters are, and that makes them sexier, too.”

Van Derham was born in Slovakia and lived there for 22 years before moving to the Los Angeles area. After being vegetarian for 15 years, she went vegan six years ago after reading the book Skinny Bitch and immediately noticed a surge in energy and an improved outlook. A TV and print model, Van Derham is the only woman ever to be re-elected as the St. Pauli Girl spokesmodel. As founder and publisher of Viva Glam magazine, she writes to the CEOs of cosmetics companies and asks them not to test their products on animals and she urges businesses to stop making false eyelashes out of minks. Van Derham—whose role model is longtime PETA pal Pamela Anderson—speaks three languages and enjoys whitewater rafting and hiking, and she’s head over heels about her dog and two cats, all rescued animals and all spayed.

Voting for the finalists to help PETA determine the winners ends at noon EDT on May 2. PETA will select the winners based on several factors, including vote count. See the full contest details here. Winners will be notified and announced by May 6.

For more information and to cast your vote, please click here.