As vegan and vegetarian diets become more popular, you might wonder if any of your favorite song artists have given up meat.
Some singers have been meat-free for years. Others have only recently ditched animal products. Whatever the case, there are many artists in various musical genres who identify as vegan or vegetarian.
Many of these singers are eager to share how their diet has affected their lifestyle and health journey. And you might even see some of their food choices showing up in their song lyrics.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at 10 of the most famous vegan and vegetarian singers. Let’s take a look.
1. Paul McCartney
Arguably the most popular Beatles member, Paul McCartney, is known for his vocals and songwriting. He had written some of the most well-loved songs of all time, such as “Hey Jude” and “Yesterday.” But did you know McCartney is a long-time vegetarian?
McCartney has been a vegetarian since 1975. It’s rumored that the last time he ate meat was with his wife, Linda. They were eating a lamb meal while watching lambs run in the field. Since then, he has become a plant-based diet icon, especially in the UK.
2. Stevie Wonder
American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder is one of the most influential musicians on this list. You’re most likely familiar with some of his work, such as “Superstition” and “Isn’t She Lovely.”
Wonder has had a long, successful career. In fact, he signed with Motown Records at age 11. Having been blind nearly all of his life, it’s no wonder if he were interested in finding a healthful and nutritious diet.
Wonder first became a vegetarian in 2014. He often shared insight into the reasons for committing to the meat-free diet. He discussed and sang about his passion for veganism on The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2015.
3. Joan Jett
Next up on our list is Joan Jett. She was a co-founder of the Runaways, which released the hit song “Cherry Bomb.” She dabbled in a solo career before becoming the frontwoman of Joan Jett and the Black Hearts.
You’d probably recognize her from her famous radio anthem, “I Love Rock and Roll.” But did you know Jett also loves animals? It’s true! She credits her love of animals for her decision to become a vegetarian and, ultimately, a vegan.
Ever since reading John Robbin’s book Diet for a New America, she decided to cut any remaining animal products from her diet. Since then, she has become an animal rights activist. Her goals include exposing the cruelties of animal agriculture.
Related: Read about some of the other famous women rock stars here.
4. RZA
An icon of the hip-hop culture and leader of the legendary group Wu-Tang Clan, RZA has produced the most albums for the group. He is not the only vegan in the Wu-Tang Clan. In fact, eight out of the ten members reportedly follow a plant-based diet.
RZA says he hasn’t eaten red meat since the ’90s. By 1997, he has given up fish and poultry. His sons have also committed to the vegan lifestyle.
The singer credits health reasons and animal cruelty as to why he ditched animal products. RZA told Joe Rogan, “No animal needs to die for me to live, ok?”
5. Carrie Underwood
After winning American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood has steadily risen to the ranks of the most famous country singers of all time. She became famous for songs such as “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus Take the Wheel.” Did you know she is also a vegan?
This may be a bit of a surprise as she came from a Southern culture that abounds in animal products. That’s right, Underwood grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. However, at 13, she stopped eating meat because she couldn’t bear the thought of eating one of her animals.
Today, Underwood is a staunch animal rights activist and claims to follow a “95% vegan” diet.
6. Morrissey
Another iconic musician is Morrissey, frontman and lyricist for the legendary rock band The Smiths. After the band became inactive around 1987, he went on to accomplish a successful solo career. Some of his hit singles include “Suedehead” and “Everyday is Like Sunday.”
Beyond his musical career, Morrissey is one of the most outspoken vegans and animal rights activists. He has been a vegetarian since he was 11 and became a vegan in 2015.
If you’re familiar with The Smiths, you’ll recognize their album Meat Is Murder. He wrote most of the songs on this album. Morrissey has gone so far as to forbid his bandmates from being photographed eating meat. He even prohibited the sale of meat at venues where he performed.
7. Thom Yorke
At the forefront of one of the biggest bands in the ’90s, you may know Thom Yorke. He is the frontman for the legendary band Radiohead, which produced the hit song “Creep.”
Did you know that Thom Yorke is also a vegetarian and environmental activist? One of the reasons he stopped eating meat is to impress a girl. He ended up sticking with the diet and becoming passionate about the lifestyle.
He also credits The Smiths’ album Meat Is Murder for rousing his interest in vegetarianism, especially since he started to feel ill whenever he ate meat. For Yorke, the most significant factors for sticking to the lifestyle are environmental and health reasons.
8. Lizzo
Being an American rapper, singer, flutist, and body positivity icon, Lizzo has a lot going on. You can also add “plant-based eating activist” to her résumé.
After following a vegetarian diet for seven years, Lizzo made the switch to a vegan diet back in 2020. She did so for the health benefits and claims that a vegan diet makes her feel better.
The hardest food for her to drop was cheesy eggs, especially after a hangover. However, these days you can often find her sharing vegan tips and recipes with her millions of followers.
9. Leona Lewis
Winning The X Factor in 2006 put British singer-songwriter Leona Lewis on a path to fame. It started with her ever-popular hit “Bleeding Love.” This British Pop and R&B icon has also been a vegetarian since age 12 and a vegan since 2012.
She was drawn to the meat-free lifestyle as a child when she would visit farm animals. Lewis has shared her typical meals, which often include nuts, smoothies, and pasta. In 2019, Lewis opened a vegan café she called Coffee and Plants that offers a plant-based menu.
Beyond embracing veganism in her diet, she only uses vegan beauty products. In fact, she supports a ban on animal testing for cosmetics.
10. ASAP Rocky
Coming in at #10 on our list is rapper ASAP Rocky. Known for tracks such as “Praise the Lord” and “Sundress,” he is now vegan after following a pescetarian diet.
ASAP Rocky dropped fish from his diet and even referenced his being a vegan in his song “Babushka Boi.” After learning about poor animal treatment, the rapper chose to remove animal products from his diet.
Today, he’s spoken about how the vegan diet helps his mind, body, and soul feel clean. He is so passionate about the benefits of veganism that he teamed up with Jaden Smith to help deliver plant-based meals to the homeless population in Los Angeles.
Summing Up Our List Of Prominent Singers Who Are Vegan And Vegetarian
It’s always fun to learn a bit more about our favorite musicians and to learn about their passions beyond their art. It turns out many famous musicians like to talk about their diet and how it has affected their lives.
In addition to leading plant-based lifestyles, many of these artists devote their time and energy to promoting environmental and animal rights campaigns. One has to wonder how that passion may bleed over into their music.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoyed learning about our vegan and vegetarian musicians. If we’ve missed someone, let us know so we can add them!
