Iraq War Vet Wins peta2's 'Cutest Vegetarian Alive' Contest

Vermont Man Beats Out More Than 1,500 Contenders Worldwide

After more than 13,000 votes were tallied, 22-year-old Jed Martin, a Hinesburg native who spent a year in Iraq with the U.S. Army, has been chosen from among 10 male finalists—and more than 1,500 nominees—as the winner of the second annual "Cutest Vegetarian Alive" contest. The contest was organized by peta2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization. Martin's photo and bio are available online at peta2.com.

Martin became a vegetarian after playing in bands in the punk and metal music scenes, where animal rights is a popular issue. Currently living in a military barracks in Germany, Martin is unfazed by being surrounded by meat-eaters. He keeps his fridge stocked with vegan Boca Burgers, which taste so much like the "real" thing that even his buddies who haven't kicked the meat habit can't tell the difference! When he's not in uniform, you can spot Martin wearing one of his peta2 T-shirts around the base in order to promote awareness of animal rights. He says that no matter where he's sent, companies like Vegan Essentials make it possible for him to enjoy his favorite foods while serving in the Army.

The "Cutest Vegetarian Alive" contest is a spin-off of peta2's wildly popular "Sexiest Vegetarian Alive" contest, in which visitors to the group's Web site vote for their favorite vegetarian celebrities. Last year's winners were actor Natalie Portman and Good Charlotte star Benji Madden. Also featured on peta2.com are celebrity interviews, message boards, merchandise, downloadable voice-mail recordings, and chances to win great prizes like free concert tickets, iPods, and more.

"More and more young people are choosing a meat-free lifestyle. Martin is living proof that on average, vegetarians are slimmer, trimmer, and generally healthier than meat-eaters, so they're bound to be a lot cuter too," says peta2 Street Team coordinator Pulin Modi. "And of course, nothing's more attractive than a compassionate heart."

For more information, please visit peta2.com or click here.

Pharmacists' Frontman Prescribes Vegan Diet in New peta2 Ad

Visitors to peta2.com Can Win Prize Package and Hear Why Ted Leo Thinks Animals Should Remain With the Living

“Love Animals—Don’t Eat Them. Go Vegan,” says veteran singer-songwriter and Pharmacists frontman Ted Leo in his new ad for peta2, the world’s largest youth animal rights organization. Visitors to peta2.com can view the ad and register to win a copy of Leo’s newest album, Living With the Living—which debuts March 20 from Touch and Go Records—as well as an iPod shuffle. They can also hear how going vegan has helped define who Leo is today in an informal interview taped during the shoot.

“I think that speaking out about anything that is important to you has a place anywhere, and being vegan is an important part of who I am,” says Leo, who has repeatedly been nominated for peta2’s “World’s Sexiest Vegetarian.”

A New Jersey native who got his start in the East Coast post-hardcore scene of the late ’80s, Leo has managed to stay true to the sound of punk all these years. Living With the Living—produced by Fugazi’s Brendan Canty—is no exception. The album has the added bonus of a subtle infusion of soul and R&B. As singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the group, Leo has never shied away from speaking his core beliefs or expressing them in his music.

“If someone sees the ad that I’m in, and they haven’t thought about these things before, and it leads them to think about them, that’s fantastic,” says Leo, who went vegetarian at 18 and vegan not long after.

Leo joins a growing list of musicians—including Forrest Kline of hellogoodbye, Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie, Meg & Dia, and Mates of State—who have teamed up with peta2 to inspire kids to challenge outdated, cruel attitudes about animals. Also featured on peta2.com are celebrity interviews, message boards, merchandise, downloadable voice-mail recordings, and chances to win great prizes like free concert tickets, iPods, and more.

For more information, to register to win the album and iPod, and to see the interview, please visit peta2.com or click here.

Joss Stone Says 'Veg Out' in New peta2 Ad Campaign

Soulful Superstar Raises Her Voice to Promote Vegetarianism; Fans Can Win an iPod Shuffle Loaded With Stone's Powerful Music

Grammy-winning songbird Joss Stone is raising her voice for her feathered friends—and other animals—in a brand new ad promoting vegetarianism for peta2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization. The ad is set for release on March 13 to coincide with the release of her new album, Introducing Joss Stone, and features Joss posing with a beautiful chicken beside the tagline "I'm a singer, a songwriter, a performer, and a human being accepting of all sizes, shapes, colors, and species. I am Joss Stone, and I am a vegetarian."

The soulful singer, who has been vegetarian since birth and was voted the "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" in a 2005 peta2 poll, says, "I wanted to do the shoot because I feel there is no need to cause another living thing pain or harm. There are so many other things we can eat. I have never eaten meat in my life, and I'm 5 feet 10 inches and not exactly wasting away. A wise man once said, '[A]nimals are my friends and I'm not in the habit of eating my friends.' That is exactly how I feel."

After racking up several nominations, Stone took home this year's Grammy for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group" for her vocals on "Family Affair" with John Legend and Van Hunt. Her powerful voice has spurred the sale of millions of her albums, and her fan base spans all ages and backgrounds.

Stone joins an ever-growing list of musicians—including Chris Walla of Death Cab For Cutie, Forrest Kline of hellogoodbye, Rise Against, Tommy Lee, and Tegan and Sara—who have teamed up with peta2 and stepped in front of the camera to inspire kids to challenge outdated, cruel attitudes about animals. Also featured on peta2.com are celebrity interviews, message boards, merchandise, downloadable voice-mail recordings, and chances to win great prizes like free concert tickets, iPods, and more.

For more information and to register for the contest, please visit peta2.com or click here.