Congratulations are in Order! November 19, 2009

Posted by Megan Rondeau at November 19, 2009 4:17 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Last night's star-studded MTVU Woodie Awards proved to be quite the event yet again. Appearances from Pete Wentz, Zooey Deschanel, Leighton Meester, and David Cross made the Roseland Ballroom in NYC the place to be last night. Perhaps the most memorable moment of the evening came from Christofer Drew (a.k.a. Never Shout Never). His acceptance speech for the coveted Breaking Woodie award consisted of just four words—"power to the people!" Well said Christopher!

Christofer Drew repping the peta2 Free For All T-shirt

Another friend of peta2 won an award last night: Tech N9ne (who our tour crew has been traveling the country with). Taking home the Left Field Woodie, he beat out stiff competition like Janelle Monae and Major Lazer.

Congrats to all the winners! I think we should get MTV to introduce a new category next year—Best Nugget in a peta2 Video Woodie. They'd totally go for that, right?

MTVU Woodie Award Nominees October 14, 2009

Posted by Megan Rondeau at October 14, 2009 5:58 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Last week the nominees for the 2009 MTVU Woodie Awards were announced, and of course peta2 was repped hard! The Woodie Awards come around every December just in time to give college students a much needed break from cramming for exams. The show always hosts an impressive list of performers, including Gym Class Heroes, All Time Low, Imogen Heap, and Vampire Weekend, and this year should be just as amazing!

Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes CC / meganwest

Death Cab for Cutie and Yeah Yeah Yeahs are both nominated for Best Video, which has previously been won by Motion City Soundtrack and Say Anything. Overnight sensation and vegetarian heartthrob Christofer Drew (a.k.a. Never Shout Never) is up for the Breaking Woodie award, which was taken home by There for Tomorrow at last year's festivities. Other notable peta2 contenders include Tech N9ne for Left Field Woodie and P.O.S. in the category with the fiercest competition, Performing Woodie. I gotta say, I saw P.O.S. a few times during my stay on Warped Tour this year and he killed it! He's got my vote! Who are you voting for?

peta2 at the MTV VMAs! August 11, 2009

Posted by Megan Rondeau at August 11, 2009 9:27 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

It's that time of year again — your tan is fading, those summer reading deadlines are quickly approaching, and the MTV Video Music Awards are right around the corner! The VMAs are hands down my favorite awards show, and I'm always excited to hear the nominations! This year I was beyond stoked to find out that one of my favorite bands, and long time peta2 supporters, Cobra Starship, are nominated for "Best Pop Video"! Pretty fucking awesome right?! As if having one of the hottest singles in the country (that just so happens to feature Gossip Girl Leighton Meester!) isn't enough to take home the Moonman, frontman Gabe Saporta is a long time vegetarian and this year's Sexiest Vegetarian runner-up, and the Cobras have shown major love for the animals by being fashionable without fur. How could anyone not vote for them?!

Cobra Starship

Other honorable mentions include P!nk, with a "Best Female Video" nomination; Fall Out Boy, Green Day, and Paramore all battling it out for "Best Rock Video"; Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Death Cab for Cutie for "Breakthrough Video"; and OK Go and the Beastie Boys among stiff competition in a new category, "Best Video (That Should Have Won A Moonman)".

The best part about the VMAs is that voting is unlimited! That means you can cast your vote for Cobra Starship and your other peta2-supporting favs as many times as your fingers can handle!

If I haven't convinced you yet, maybe this quote from Gabe will win you over: "I wanna thank everyone from peta2 who have always been supporting us. For the past 3 years I've come so close to winning Sexiest Vegetarian, but every year I've lost. Ok, I get it, I'm not that sexy. But that doesn't mean we didn't make an awesome video! And that doesn't mean that we can't take Britney out (even though she is naked in a sauna in her video — but this is BEST pop video, not SEXIEST pop video)! Help us win and I'll make a steamy sauna video just for peta2 members. ;)"

You heard it kids! Exercise your right to vote and make sure to pick up Cobra Starship's new album, Hot Mess, in stores and online today!

Tila Tequila Says "Hot Girls Fake It" June 12, 2009

Posted by Megan Rondeau at June 12, 2009 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 8 ) | TrackBack

If you've been to Global Grind today you've seen that Tila Tequila's recent blog made the front page of the site as the Editor's Pick. The MTV reality star, internet celebrity, and all-around awesome chick, is never one to hold her tongue, and this time she's sounding off about the harsh reality of the fur industry. In her blog (which garnered over 900 comments!) Tila informed fans of her love for animals and urged them "to make conscious, compassionate choices" when shopping. She even posted the PETA investigation video of a Chinese fur farm and a link to our Fur-Free Pledge.

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I give major props to Tila for speaking out about what's important to her and using her influence as a celebrity to help spread a positive and crucially important message. If you haven't seen the video yet, I strongly recommend you watch it and share it with anyone who will listen.

And if you haven't been checking out Global Grind, be sure to bookmark it to read blogs from Rev Run, Russell Simmons, Pras and pretty much every other name in hip hop.

Health Tips from Method Man and Redman June 2, 2009

Posted by Megan Rondeau at June 2, 2009 2:09 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

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Method Man and Redman go together like peanut butter and jelly. And seeing as the two are vegetarians, they probably enjoy a good PB&J as much as I do! Ya heard, Method Man and Redman are proud to be meat-free!

In a recent interview featured on MTV's Buzzworthy Blog, the hip hop duo spoke up about staying in shape and offered tips for being vegetarian. Their tidbits of animal-friendly info included going green by eating yummy, eco-friendly foods like edamame; shopping at stores like Whole Foods for delicious on-the-go veggie meals; and of course steering clear of McCruelty ... err, I mean McDonald's. Staying far away from Ronald McDonald this summer is sure to keep you looking and feeling good for those pool parties!

You can check out the full article here. Apparently being in one of the most respected hip hop groups of all time and being veg go hand in hand! Method Man joins Wu-Tang members Masta Killa, RZA, and GZA in giving up the flesh.



P.S. Come out to Rock the Bells this summer to catch performances from RZA, GZA, and pretty much every other artist in hop hop. Of course it goes without saying that peta2 will be there! Duh!

Who Watches MTV's Bully Beatdown? April 21, 2009

Posted by Shannon Phillips at April 21, 2009 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

If there's anything I don't like—it's a bully. When my friend told me to tune in to MTV's new show, Bully Beatdown, I couldn't have been more stoked. Bully Beatdown features the ultimate showdown between some of the worst bullies and their victims, but there's a catch—the bullies are squaring up against a professional fighter, not the victims they've picked on for so long! There are two rounds of fighting with $10,000 at stake, with the bully losing $1,000 every time he taps out. Any money deducted from the bully in either round goes to the victims. Ah yes, sweet revenge!

I saw an episode the other night that was especially brutal, featuring professional MMA fighter Jake Shields. Holding one of only three Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belts ever earned, Jake is a serious force to be reckoned with. Even better—Jake is a vegetarian!

Jake recently spoke about his vegetarian diet, telling The Discerning Brute:

"Well I'm a life-long vegetarian and the diet obviously works. I also have two brothers that are strong and healthy. But you do have to have a good balanced diet and eat healthy foods. There's plenty of ways to get protein other than eating meat."

Take note, boys. Protein comes in all forms, and there's something extra tough about guys like Tito Ortiz, Ricardo "Mad Dog" Moriera, and Mac Danzig—all professional fighters taking a stand against bullies by sticking up for the animal victims in this world.

Watch the full episode of Jake in action here!

Who would you want to see in the ring? My vote is for Colonel Sanders ...

Meet Baya From The Real World: Brooklyn! April 17, 2009

Posted by Shannon Phillips at April 17, 2009 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

You may have seen her on the ever addictive show, The Real World: Brooklyn, or maybe you've seen her as the resident DJ at Angels & Kings, the New York hotspot where you can find the Gym Class Heroes, Fall Out Boy, and Cobra Starship partying hard. Either way, we love Baya Voce, and we love her even more that she's willing to stick up for animals any chance she gets. Check out her interview below!

What was it like having your life filmed for reality television?
Baya: It was wild! As time went on I thought I would get used to the cameras being around, but it had the reverse effect on me. The longer we filmed, the more I was like "what the hell did I get myself into!?" I can't explain how cool it is thinking back on it and being like, holy crap, did I really just do that? Did I really just have someone filming my every move for 4 months? Seeing the final edit is pretty crazy as well. You get to see what character the producers wanted to world to see you as.

We also hear that you are an animal rights activist—what are some issues regarding cruelty to animals that really stand out for you?
Baya: All animal cruelty really hits home to me, so I would like to say I am an activist in all areas of the subject, but for the readers sanity I will only cover a few. Something hugely important to me and something that in my eyes is a huge fraud is USDA certified products. When I think about the way the government has fooled us into thinking that USDA certified free range and organic animals are treated well it makes me sick! Mass distribution of products can't be easy, but I know how the "free range" chickens are treated and their living conditions, and they aren't good. This is why I choose to be vegetarian. If I don't trust that the meat I eat has been given a happy life, why would I put that animals' stress into my body? Cruelty for the purpose of entertainment is awful as well. I would really love to do work with elephants in the future, I want to learn more about their treatment in different countries.

We recently blogged about your Real World roommate, Devyn, adopting an adorable pup from a shelter. Do you recommend adopting from shelters?
Baya: I absolutely recommend buying from shelters. Every animal I have ever had has been from a shelter, and I have had great experiences. I wish more people were open to getting animals from shelters, I think it is really important.

Our summer campaign will focus on product testing on animals. How does it make you feel to know that some companies still use painful and unnecessary product testing on animals while other companies are using alternative non-animal methods?
Baya: I can't believe it isn't illegal, to be honest. We obviously know there are different ways to test products, why would we still be harming animals when there are alternate routes?

If one of your friends was interested in getting involved with animal rights, what would your advice to them be?
Baya: Advice I give myself all the time is not to press my beliefs on other people, but to lead by example. I hate when people think because I am vegetarian I will come down on them for eating meat. For me, it is about the proper education about the subject. Unfortunately, I don't think people generally understand what really happens to the food they are eating before it was put on their plate. It's all about the proper education tools, I get a far better and more receptive reaction when I tell them why I live the way I do, rather than look down on them for being different. As frustrating as it is to realize how naive people can be, one thing I learned from living in the Real World Brooklyn house, is that you never know where someone comes from and their history. It may not be their fault for not knowing.

What's next for you?
Baya: As far as my professional life goes, I will be DJ'ing, dancing, and performing for as long as I can see into the future! When I get big, and I mean reeeeeal big, I hope to be all over billboards advocating for all sorts of issues. Most recently I have become an ambassador for a non-profit Breast Cancer organization called Keep A Breast, so I am really excited to start working with them. You can check me out and keep updated with what's going on with me on djbayavoce.com!

See? I told you she was rad.

New Addition to the Real World Brooklyn Cast March 27, 2009

Posted by Megan Rondeau at March 27, 2009 4:14 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

I typically reserve my TV watching for The Daily Show, 30 Rock and Gossip Girl, but sometimes you just have to give in to those guilty pleasures and indulge in reality show drama! I randomly happened to catch this week's episode of Real World Brooklyn and I'm glad I did! I was pleasantly surprised to see Devyn and the other roomies adopt an adorable Yorkshire Terrier puppy! The Yorki, appropriately named Brooklyn, could not have looked happier being taken back to the Real World house to get acquainted with his new family.

Devyn made sure she was prepared for the addition to the family by having proper food, toys, and bedding ready for Brooklyn upon his arrival. She also understands the commitment that comes with having a dog and said "I take this very seriously as a lifetime commitment" and knows that adopting a dog into your life is a great way to learn "to be responsible and patient and to be fully invested in something..." And kudos to Ryan for looking out for little Brooklyn and pointing out to everyone that having a tiny-sized puppy does not mean it's a tiny responsibility. Ryan was quick to note that dogs are companions, not accessories!

Every year between 4 and 8 million animals are brought into animal shelters and half of them are killed due to the lack of funds and space to adequately care for them. Adopting an animal from a shelter means that you're giving a home and a life to an animal that will otherwise not have either. Having a companion animal is a joy everyone should experience, and adopting is the compassionate, intelligent choice to make. Click here to find more information on adopting animals and ways you can help.

America's Best (Vegetarian?) Dance Crew! March 10, 2009

Posted by Shannon Phillips at March 10, 2009 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

I really don't watch much TV these days, but I'll be honest and let you know that I was absolutely hooked on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew! As someone who loves to dance, I was seriously impressed by the two finalists, Quest Crew and Beat Freaks. Whether it was waving, tutting, krumping, or threading—both crews held it down and made for a seriously entertaining dance-off on the finale!

and_she_was / CC
Quest Crew came out on top as America's Best Dance Crew, but I really have to give it to Beat Freaks for being an all-female dance crew who never gave up. To be a part of a successful dance crew, you have to be in tip-top shape and full of energy. Now I don't know about you, but after I went vegetarian I lost weight, felt more energized than ever, and was able to do gymnastics, dance, and work out to my full potential. What if I told you that three members of Beat Freaks have gone vegetarian? With all that energy, it's really not surprising!

Beat Freaks are living proof that a vegetarian diet can be beneficial to staying active and healthy, and it sure doesn't hurt that they're saving at least 300 animals a year with 3 veggie members! If you haven't yet, take our pledge to be veg, and get ready to feel awesome for impacting your body, animals, and the environment in positive ways.

Which dance crew did you vote for?



P.S. Check out this video with the Beat Freaks where a crew member holds up a PETA shirt and proudly says "I support PETA, I'm an animal advocate!" How awesome is that?

Andy Hurley on 'Cribs'! March 10, 2009

Posted by Tiffany Wright at March 10, 2009 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBack

Did you guys check out MTV Cribs last weekend? If you did, you saw the crib of Fall Out Boy drummer Andy Hurley. His fridge was pimped out with all sorts of vegan goodies. And don't worry—if you missed this week's Cribs episode with Andy you can still catch it here.

Not only do we ♥ Andy 'cause he's vegan, but he never misses a chance to stick up for animals. Check out what he had to say about vegetarianism, fur, and Pete Wentz's dog, Hemingway, in this exclusive peta2 interview.

And while you're doing that, think about what MTV Cribs would find if they filmed the inside of your fridge.