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

Police Officer, Navy Technician, Aspiring Model, and Hospital Administrator Among Those Battling It Out to Take Top Honors—and a Tropical Vacation

For Immediate Release:
April 30, 2018

Contact:
Moira Colley 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 help PETA select the winners—one man and one woman—who will each receive a free vacation for two to Maui, Hawaii, courtesy of Humane Travel.

• Navy technician Christopher Stanley went vegan with his family in order to help his daughter alleviate the symptoms of her ulcerative colitis. In addition to establishing a vegan support group during a seven-month deployment on the USS Makin Island and encouraging many colleagues to give up animal-derived foods, he promotes vegan eating on his Instagram account @NeverNotVegan.
• While in college at Purdue University, Kia Hill  started Purdue PETA, an animal rights club that offered screenings of Earthlings and Cowspiracy, hosted guest lecturers, and advocated for more vegan options in the dining halls. Currently an assistant coordinator at an Indianapolis hospital, Hill is nicknamed “Ratatouille” for her cooking skills and can often be found in the kitchen whipping up delicious vegan pho.
• Dallas-based aspiring model Lori Harding went vegan six months ago out of concern for animals, the environment, and her health. As an advocate for body positivity, she believes that people should be comfortable in their own skin and let animals keep theirs. She counts Stella McCartney as a role model and uses Instagram to share a pro-vegan, body-positive message with her followers.
• Police officer David Anthony  went vegan in 2016 to improve his health after undergoing knee surgery, and right away, his cholesterol went down and his energy levels went up. He believes that being vegan makes the world a kinder and safer place for all, including animals. In his spare time, he can be found playing with his two companion rabbits or working out under the guidance of his fitness instructor, Torre Washington.

“These finalists prove that whether you’re a police officer, a navy technician, a body-positive Instagram It Girl, or a public-health aficionado, vibrant vegan meals are all you need to thrive,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “All the finalists in PETA’s Sexiest Vegan contest prove that a clear conscience and a compassionate heart are the secret ingredients to sexiness.”

Voting to help PETA determine which finalists it should select as the winners ends at 12 noon EDT on May 14. 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 May 21.

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