Though many people might have known that Michael Jackson was a vegetarian in the 80s, it seems that he was still one when he died. When AEG, his promotion company, was looking into his health before his big tour, they reported that he was in top shape and indeed, a vegetarian.
“I’m a vegetarian now and I’m so much thinner. I’ve been on a strict diet for years. I feel better than I ever have, healthier and more energetic,” Michael said in his book, Moonwalk. LaToya Jackson, as well as Michael’s father Joe, are also said to be vegetarians.
It’s rumored that Michael even followed a vegan diet—though not, of course, a completely vegan lifestyle, as he was fine using animals for entertainment—as well as being accused of keeping exotic pets in unhealthy conditions.
I love to hear about celebrity vegetarians, especially ones you’d never expect. For example, we all know that Natalie Portman is a veg, but did you know that Christian Bale is, too? (He’s a big animal activist as well, supporting groups like Sea Shepherd.)
I thought I’d do some snooping and see what surprise famous vegetarians I could dig up. Here are a few:
Bridgette Bardot: I’m just shocked that she’s such an “animal rights lover” and is a vegetarian. After all, she seems to be a people hater—since the 90s she’s been all about bashing gays, immigrants, Muslims and other people not just like her.
Susan B. Anthony: Who knew? I’m a huge fan of “Aunt Susan,” and think it’s very cool that she was a veg-head—probably something else just to add to her rebel status.
Barry White: This smooth singer was not only a vegetarian—he was a vegan! See, you can still have a voice made of sex without eating meat, guys.
Aristotle: He must’ve been so smart from eating so many fruit and vegetable superfoods.
Billy Idol: Dude… Are you serious? Another “told you so” for the guys out there who say that eating meat is manly. Billy Idol can pull it off, so you can to.
Andre 3000 (Benjamin): I already knew he was a vegetarian, but I just wanted to include him to re-emphasize the points above featuring Billy Idol and Barry White!
Cesar Chavez: I love that such a passionate farm union organizer was a vegetarian.
Charles Darwin: Apparently, Darwin believed that survival of the fittest applies to an animal’s own terms rather than in terms of humans eating animals.
