Ariana Grande's Decade-Long Commitment to Veganism
In 2013, pop superstar Ariana Grande made a public announcement that would shape her lifestyle for the next decade and beyond. Citing a deep-seated love for animals, she proclaimed on social media that she was going “100% vegan”. This was not a passing trend but a conscious, sustained choice rooted in both ethical beliefs and health considerations. Over the years, she has remained a consistent advocate for animal welfare, integrating her plant-based diet into her public and personal life. Her journey highlights the complexities of maintaining a vegan lifestyle in a non-vegan world, offering a candid look at the daily realities faced by many who adopt similar dietary principles.
The Announcement: From Minimal Meat to 100% Vegan
Before 2013, Grande had already minimized her meat consumption, but a specific moment cemented her full commitment. On November 5, 2013, she shared her decision with her fans, declaring it a “Joyous day”. She elaborated on her motivations, telling The Mirror that she believes in “eating a full plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-around happier person”.
Her veganism was further inspired by the 2011 documentary Forks Over Knives, which explores the health benefits of a whole-food, plant-based diet. This combination of ethical conviction and a desire for better health propelled her into her new lifestyle.
Animal Rights Advocacy and the Vegan Lifestyle
Grande’s commitment extends beyond her plate. Her love for animals is well-documented, from her multiple adopted rescue dogs to her animal rights advocacy.
- Orange Twins Rescue: In 2019, she co-founded Orange Twins Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue in Los Angeles.
- Public Stances: She has publicly spoken out against animal cruelty, including a prominent stance against SeaWorld after the documentary Blackfish was released.
- Vegan Beauty Line: In 2022, she launched her own vegan and cruelty-free beauty line, God Is A Woman, furthering her alignment with ethical principles.
Navigating Family and Public Perception
One of the most relatable aspects of Grande’s vegan journey is her experience with family. She has humorously shared on the YouTube series Hot Ones that her Italian-American family, particularly her nonna, often forgets she is vegan. She recounted a story of her nonna offering her meatballs, to which she politely had to decline, stating, “I’m still plant-based”. This lighthearted moment highlights the ongoing patience and consistency required to maintain dietary choices, even among loved ones.
Public perception, however, has been more scrutinizing. Critics have pointed to her wearing clothing containing animal products like fur and leather, as well as promoting the non-vegan Starbucks Cloud Macchiato. This has led to a discussion about the distinction between a dietary “plant-based” approach and a comprehensive “vegan” lifestyle that avoids all animal exploitation. Grande's journey serves as a case study for the nuances of modern veganism and the different levels of commitment to the philosophy.
Grande's Reported Dietary Preferences
Despite the external discourse, Grande’s dietary habits appear consistent. Her former trainer, Harley Pasternak, noted in 2015 that she favors a macrobiotic Japanese diet, including foods like daikon, lotus, and adzuki beans. When eating out, she typically sticks to safe options like fruits, vegetables, and salads. Her appearance on Hot Ones also featured vegan wings, showcasing her adaptability in different dining situations.
Vegan vs. Plant-Based: A Comparison of Grande's Approach
| Aspect | Full Vegan Lifestyle | Ariana Grande's Approach | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diet | Strictly avoids all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, honey). | Strictly plant-based, no meat or dairy since 2013. | |
| Clothing | Avoids all animal-derived materials (leather, fur, wool, silk). | Criticized for wearing animal-derived materials in the past. | |
| Beauty Products | Exclusively uses cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics. | Launched her own vegan and cruelty-free line. | |
| Promotions | Avoids endorsing non-vegan products. | Promoted a non-vegan Starbucks drink, though she suggested a soy-milk alternative. | |
| Motivation | Often both ethical (animal rights) and environmental. | Explicitly states her motivation as ethical (animal love) and health. |
Conclusion
To summarize, Ariana Grande has been vegan for over a decade, a journey that began with a formal announcement in 2013. Her decision was fueled by her love for animals and health-conscious choices. While her dietary consistency is clear, public debate has arisen concerning whether her clothing choices and past endorsements align with a full vegan lifestyle. Despite this scrutiny, her commitment to a plant-based diet has been unwavering and she continues her animal advocacy through projects like Orange Twins Rescue. Her example shows that the path to a more ethical and health-focused life can be a multi-layered journey, not always a simple, binary choice.
For more information on Grande's diet and other vegan celebrities, visit this in-depth VegNews article.
