Daisy Ridley's Shifting Dietary Identity
For fans and the public, the question of "Is Daisy Ridley a vegan?" has a surprisingly complex answer that has evolved over time. The Star Wars actress, known for her role as Rey, has publicly discussed her dietary habits on several occasions, revealing a personal journey that is more nuanced than a simple 'yes' or 'no.' Early on, Ridley was an outspoken proponent of her predominantly plant-based lifestyle, which was influenced by a deep-seated ethical concern for animal welfare. However, she has also admitted to moments of flexibility in her diet, which she once described as being a 'cheating vegan'.
The 'Cheating Vegan' Phase (2017)
Around the time of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Daisy Ridley's diet attracted significant public attention. In interviews, she explained that she had cut out meat, dairy, and eggs from her diet after watching the mockumentary Carnage. The film, which depicts a future where humans are shamed for their meat-eating past, was a pivotal moment for her, prompting a profound shift in her eating habits. Despite this commitment, Ridley admitted to eating fish, leading her to humorously label herself a 'cheating vegan' or 'cheagan'. This period demonstrated her strong inclination toward a plant-based diet, driven by new information and a changing moral compass, even if her practice was not strictly aligned with the traditional definition of veganism.
Evolving Health and Dietary Needs
Years after her initial transition, Ridley's dietary approach continued to evolve, this time influenced by her health. In 2024, the actress spoke about her battle with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid. As part of her strategy to manage the symptoms of her condition, she committed to a more rigorous and mindful dietary routine. Alongside medical treatment and other holistic practices, Ridley adopted a gluten-free diet to help with inflammation. This added another layer to her food philosophy, showing that her choices were not solely ethical but also deeply connected to her personal well-being.
Plant-Based Versus Vegan: A Closer Look at the Distinctions
To better understand Daisy Ridley's journey, it's helpful to distinguish between a strict vegan diet and a more flexible, plant-based one.
| Feature | Strict Vegan Diet | Plant-Based Diet (Ridley's Approach) |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Products | Avoids all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. | Primarily focuses on plant-derived foods, but may include some animal products like fish. |
| Motivation | Often motivated by ethical, environmental, and health concerns. | Typically motivated by health benefits, but can also be influenced by ethical considerations. |
| Flexibility | Zero tolerance for animal products. | Permits occasional deviations or 'cheating,' as Ridley has described. |
| Key Foods | Legumes, grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. | Legumes, grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, plus fish and spirulina shakes. |
Ethical Activism and Continued Advocacy
While her specific diet has seen variations, Ridley's commitment to animal welfare has remained consistent. This was powerfully demonstrated in October 2022 when she sent a letter to the University of Massachusetts Amherst on behalf of PETA. In her letter, she condemned the university's cruel experiments on marmoset monkeys, some of whom were named after Star Wars characters, including her own character, Rey. This public stance earned her a "Favorite PETA Collab" award and highlighted her enduring dedication to animal rights, regardless of her personal dietary labels. This action underscores that for Ridley, the issue of animal welfare extends far beyond what she puts on her plate, cementing her as an ethical advocate with a strong public platform.
Cooking Skills and Recent Food News
Beyond her personal diet, Ridley has also shown her culinary side, often incorporating plant-based ingredients into her cooking. On a 2025 episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off, she impressed with a fully vegan selection of bakes. However, in a surprising twist in a 2024 interview with Variety, she mentioned she still cooks meat for others, even bragging about her skills with a roast chicken. This detail further illustrates the complexities of her relationship with food, suggesting a personal choice that allows for flexibility while maintaining her core principles. It shows a thoughtful, rather than dogmatic, approach to her food choices and animal welfare beliefs.
Conclusion: Navigating a Personal Food Journey
Is Daisy Ridley a vegan? The answer is not straightforward. While she has identified as vegan in the past and maintains a predominantly plant-based diet, her journey includes a period of identifying as a 'cheating vegan' and incorporating fish. More recently, she has maintained a mostly plant-based approach, augmented by specific dietary choices like going gluten-free to manage her health. Her powerful activism for animal rights, recognized by PETA, confirms her strong ethical compass, which remains a core part of her identity, even as her diet adapts to her personal needs. Ultimately, Ridley's public story reflects the reality of many people's dietary journeys: a complex, evolving path influenced by ethics, health, and personal experience.
Note: For an authentic, ethical perspective on the plant-based lifestyle, check out Viva!, a UK-based vegan charity.
