September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, a time to pay special tribute to Hispanic and Latinx people who have influenced and enriched our communities.
While each person is vital in the fight for animal protection, celebrities have a unique opportunity to influence countless fans and use their platforms to raise awareness about important issues—including issues that affect the most exploited and abused individuals in the country, farmed animals.
Here are 16 Hispanic and Latinx vegan and vegetarian celebrities making a difference for animals raised for food:
Marianna Burelli
Marianna Burelli is a well-known actor in Mexico who has worked in theater, film, and television in England and Mexico City. The proud vegan star is an ambassador of Mercy For Animals Latin America and recently collaborated on Mercy For Animals’ food policy program in Mexico, Come Consciente.
Eugenio Derbez
Vegetarian Mexican superstar Eugenio Derbez narrated a Mercy For Animals undercover investigation video into government-owned slaughterhouses across Mexico. This investigation led to the introduction in Mexico’s congress of legislation that would make it a crime to slaughter an animal who had not been properly stunned. Eugenio’s involvement undoubtedly helped garner tons of attention to the plight of animals suffering in slaughterhouses in Mexico and around the world.
Patricia De Leon
Known for her acting career and as a former Miss Panama, Patricia De Leon is also a proud vegetarian and animal rights activist. She is featured on Mercy For Animals’ EligeVeg site and participated in our McDonald’s Cruelty campaign.
Juan Pablo Di Pace
Actor and singer Juan Pablo Di Pace’s work spans the globe. He’s starred in films in the U.K. and several television series in Spain and the United States. This multilingual star has a huge heart for animals. Juan is an outspoken vegan who has attended several Mercy For Animals events and even graced us with a performance at Voices of Compassion, our virtual concert series.
Daisy Fuentes
Daisy Fuentes broke barriers as MTV’s first Latina VJ and was Revlon’s first Latina spokesperson to be signed to a worldwide contract. But did you know that she is also a proud vegan?! Daisy frequently uses her platform to help animals and supports multiple farmed animal charities, including Mercy For Animals. She even hosted our 2016 Hidden Heroes Gala.
Dolores Huerta
American labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association along with Cesar Chavez, and she has received numerous awards for her service and advocacy for workers’, immigrants’, and women’s rights. At age 91, Dolores is still a vegetarian role model to people around the world.
Constance Marie
Mexican-American actor Constance Marie is well known for her roles on various television series, such as George Lopez and Switched at Birth, and as Marcella Quintanilla in the film Selena. But she’s also a longtime vegetarian who cares deeply about animal issues. She has partnered with numerous animal protection organizations to raise awareness about vegetarian eating and the importance of spaying and neutering. Constance has also talked about raising her daughter vegetarian in several interviews.
Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin credits vegetarian food for his excellent health, and at 49 he’s looking better than ever. The pop legend has been vegetarian since 2013 and loves veggies. He once told Dr. Oz that he’d made the transition gradually, initially ditching fish and then chicken and other meats before realizing he was eating mostly vegetables.
Eva Mendez
Famous actor Eva Mendez stopped eating meat for personal and ethical reasons several years ago, telling Women’s Health in 2015, “I haven’t eaten meat in about six years, because I don’t agree with factory farming.” She added: “When I cut that out I immediately felt better. And also, after a year of eliminating it, my skin looked brighter and healthier overall.”
Daniella Monet
Daniella Monet is the former star of Nickelodeon’s Victorious, an entrepreneur, and an activist who has been vegan since the young age of 13. Along with Harry Potter star and fellow vegan Evanna Lynch, Daniella is co-founder of the vegan and cruelty-free beauty subscription-box company Kinder Beauty. She consistently speaks out on behalf of farmed animals and the benefits of plant-based food, including in Mercy For Animals’ campaigns promoting healthy eating. She also hosted our Hidden Heroes Gala in 2018.
I’m #MeatFreeInSolidarity with the millions of animals and thousands of workers exploited by the meat industry. Take the pledge to go Meat-Free in Solidarity with @mercyforanimals at https://t.co/HLI91vXZLC. #sosayweall #veganathlete #eatplants pic.twitter.com/py4gqDgYIh
— Edward James Olmos (@edwardjolmos) August 6, 2020
Edward James Olmos
Edward James Olmos recently said in an interview with AARP: “I’ve been a vegan now going on six years. The best thing I ever did for myself is to become a vegan.” The iconic award-winning actor, director, producer, and activist has attended Mercy For Animals’ annual galas and participated in our #MeatFreeInSolidarity campaign to raise awareness about how the meat industry exploits workers.
Hoy tendré el honor de conducir la gala de @MercyForAnimals junto con @DaisyFuentes 😃 https://t.co/0K4omFdrVV pic.twitter.com/3YBo7XivMh
— Marco Antonio Regil (@marcoregil) September 10, 2016
Marco Antonio Regil
Marco Antonio Regil is a beloved Mexican television host, public speaker, and activist. At one time, Marco had million-dollar endorsement deals with companies like McDonald’s, but he turned down the money and ended his relationship with such companies after going vegan. Marco co-hosted Mercy For Animals’ 2016 Hidden Heroes Gala and continues to speak up for animals.
Christian Serratos
Actor Christian Serratos is known for her roles in The Walking Dead, Twilight, and Netflix’s Selena, and she’s also an animal activist who has proudly spoken out against killing animals for meat and fur. Reportedly, she’s been vegetarian since age 10 and is now vegan. “Factory farms are hell for animals, and their death is slow and painful,” she said. “Help animals by not eating them.”
Sofía Sisniega
Mercy For Animals supporter and self-proclaimed “vegan AF” Sofía Sisniega is an animal rights and environmental activist and actor well known for her role in the television series Gossip Girl: Acapulco. In August 2014, she founded Milk Bar, a bakery in Mexico City featuring organic, vegan, and gluten-free cookies and desserts. In March 2015, she partnered with actors Zuria Vega and Marimar Vega to expand the bakery, changing its name to Milkella by Milk Bar.
Jane Velez-Mitchell
While many know Jane Velez-Mitchell as an award-winning television journalist and author, she’s also a fierce animal rights activist. In 2015 she launched Jane Unchained, an online news network that covers animal-related news. She has also hosted Mercy For Animals’ annual gala.
Nos vemos aqui👇#healtogether #heal https://t.co/vjwQKEKvkk pic.twitter.com/iQU7ygpgDw
— Chrisvonuckermann (@christopheruck) September 8, 2021
Christopher Von Uckermann
Christopher Von Uckermann is a Mexican singer, songwriter, and actor, as well as a proud vegan. He was a presenter at Mercy For Animals’ first virtual gala, the Hope Gala, and has spoken out against factory farming and the use of animals in the entertainment industry.
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Join these amazing Latinx vegan and vegetarian celebrities and activists and help change the world for farmed animals by visiting our Action Center.
Remember, the best way to help farmed animals is simply to choose plant-based food. Get a copy of our free veg starter guide today.