Finalists From Across the U.S. Compete to Become PETA’s ‘Sexiest Vegan’

Police Officer, Entrepreneur, Army Reserve Member, and Makeup Artist Among Those Battling It Out to Take Home Top Honors—and a Tropical Vacation

For Immediate Release:
June 5, 2017

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

PETA is preparing to crown this year’s Sexiest Vegan Next Door—and four African-American vegans are all vying for the title. They beat out hundreds of other entrants from across the nation to advance to the final round of 10 male and 10 female contestants. Visitors to PETA.org can now help PETA select the two lucky winners—one man and one woman—who will each receive a free vacation for two to Maui, Hawaii, courtesy of Humane Travel.

• Police officer Michael Baysmore of Baltimore (left) went vegan five years ago to improve his health and his physique—and he says that, since then, he’s had more energy, a more robust immune system, and a quicker recovery time after each workout.
• Natasha James (middle-left) owns and operates Rawcells, a Los Angeles delivery tricycle full of healthy, organic vegan treats such as “twinkies,” “snickers,” and doughnuts. Her goal is to inspire nonvegan Los Angelenos to try plant-based food options beyond salads—and she’s scoring big among diners looking for something novel and sweet.
• Remote train conductor Arnisha Keaton (middle-right) is based in Atlanta and travels a lot for her work as a chemist in the Army Reserve—and she loves sharing her passion for helping animals with everyone she meets.
• Makeup artist Niyah Byrd (right) is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and uses only cruelty-free products in her makeup work and, in her work as a model, has proudly turned down offers from companies that test on animals.

“Whether you’re a police officer, a food bike–riding entrepreneur, a member of the Army Reserve, or a makeup artist, vibrant plant-based meals can give you the energy that you need in order to keep up with the action,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Each one of the finalists in PETA’s contest is a testament to how sexy vegans are—inside and out.”

Voting for the finalists to help PETA determine whom it should select as the winners ends at 12 noon EDT on June 21. PETA will select the winners based on several factors, including vote count. See the full contest details here. Winners will be notified and announced on June 28.

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