Russell Brand, Kristen Bell Take Early Lead In PETA’S Annual ‘World’S Sexiest Vegetarian’ Poll

For Immediate Release:
20 May 2008


Contact:
Sam Glover 020 7357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]


London – The nominees had barely been posted when two stars from the critically acclaimed romantic comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Kristen Bell and Russell Brand – surged to an early lead in the annual “World’s Sexiest Vegetarian” contest at PETA.org.uk. Bell – perhaps best known for her title role on the long-running TV series Veronica Mars and who currently stars as a sultry vixen on the hit series Heroes – is a long-time vegetarian and has said, “I have always been an animal lover. I had a hard time disassociating the animals I cuddled with – dogs and cats, for example – from the animals on my plate, and I never really cared for the taste of meat. I always loved my Brussel sprouts!”


Brand gained fame as the host of his own show on BBC Radio and is currently filming a movie with Adam Sandler. In his 2007 memoir, My Booky Wook, Brand wrote, “I became vegetarian at 14. – I’ve never regretted it. – It’s the only opportunity I get to occupy the moral high ground. ‘You’re vegetarian?’ comes the enquiry. ‘Yes.’ Then the inevitable, ‘Do you eat fish?’ – I have to stifle a smug grin when I reply, ‘No. No, I don’t eat fish because it’s cruel to them, the lovely little things'”.


Other celebrities who’ve gone vegetarian to protect animals, the environment and their own health – and who are in hot pursuit of Bell and Brand in the PETA poll – include actors Hayden Panettiere, Emily Deschanel, Milo Ventimiglia, Anthony Kiedis, Abbie Cornish, Casey Affleck, Lake Bell, Leona Lewis and Jason Schwartzman; rapper Mos Def; and pro basketball player Raja Bell of the Phoenix Suns. Past winners include Carrie Underwood, Chris Martin, Natalie Portman, Andre 3000, Tobey Maguire, Prince, Alicia Silverstone, Kevin Eubanks and Shania Twain.


The poll runs through 16 June. For more information and to cast your votes, please visit PETA.org.uk.