Knoxville Makeup Artist Is a Finalist in PETA’s ‘Sexiest Vegan’ Contest

Niyah Byrd Will Battle It Out for Top Honors—and a Tropical Vacation

For Immediate Release:
June 6, 2017

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

PETA is preparing to crown this year’s Sexiest Vegan Next Door—and Knoxville makeup artist Niyah Byrd 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.

A longtime vegetarian, Byrd made the move to vegan eating last year in order to save as many animals as possible and is currently organizing a meet-up group in Knoxville for like-minded eaters. The 22-year-old 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.

“Niyah uses her influential position as a makeup artist to introduce her clients to cruelty-free beauty products as well as the wellness benefits of a vegan lifestyle,” 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.