1) What made you go veg? (and when?)
I went vegetarian at age 8 after spending way too long in a line at McDonalds waiting for a new TY Teenie Beanie Baby to be released (it was the nineties and I was obsessed, okay?), inhaling the odors of cheap hamburgers for hours. Once I left the restaurant, I immediately swore off burgers. Soon it was all beef, and within a few months, I made the connection that all meat had once been a living animal, which I found totally gross as an animal lover and aspiring veterinarian. At 13 I went vegan when a faster internet connection allowed me to surf the web with ease and discover information and videos about the cruelty of the dairy and egg industries. I was stunned–I truly had no idea that those industries were so inhumane–and converted immediately.
2) Why would you like to strut yours in vegan chic garb from Vaute Couture, Cri de Coeur, Cherry Berry bags, and NOHARM?
Okay. This is a really big deal to me. In short, fashion is of tremendous importance to me and I would love to be a part of the efforts to spread the good news about the developments in vegan fashion. I plan to make my career in the fashion world. You can’t get much more relevant to my ambitions than a vegan fashion show where some of the best names in the market will be showing their products.
3) What law would you instate across the US if you could?
The law I’d instate would be that everyone needs to try my ridiculous dark moist vegan chocolate cake. My family and friends, unfortunately, are not vegetarians, but they BEG for this cake at birthdays, holidays, and other events.
4) Your theme song is?
Is this bad? I don’t really listen to much music, so this is hard for me to answer. I’m on a The Rain, The Park, and Other Things by the Cowsills kick, so you might be able to say that this is my current “theme song”. It’s extremely upbeat, carefree, dreamy, and positive, and I feel like those are adjectives which I would love to be able to apply to myself and my life but always fall a bit too short in my efforts. It’s good motivation; it reminds me of the sort of person I’d like to feel like on a daily basis.
5) What actor or actress would play you in a tv movie about your life?
Natalie Portman, maybe. Of course, she’s veg, and has that fantastic veg glow, but apparently we also have similar facial qualities, according to some people. I admire her intelligence and strong personality, and those are qualities I aim to embody as well (but don’t we all? Ah well).
6) What makes veg guys and girls so darn sexy?
Two things. One, we generally eat a ton of veggies, whole grains, and fruits–you know, the kinds of things full of nutrients that make your body strong and healthy, your skin glow, and your hair shine like the sun. Two, I think the knowledge that we constantly carry with us–that we are doing everything in our power to decrease the amount of pain, suffering, and unjust violence in the world, and it’s working–is empowering and gives us an inner peace. When you have that inner peace, you automatically radiate a very special sort of beauty. It’s definitely sexy.