Does Ellen's Vegan Site Conflict with a Cover Girl Endorsement?

By Lacy J. Hansen for DietsInReview.com

The term vegan is showing up at more and more locations all the time. Is it just a trend? Is the popularity of the vegan diet a result of animal rights activists? Or are people seriously looking at the facts and being persuaded to ditch all meats and animal products for their health? Whatever the reasons, expect the term to be even more popular as celebrity Ellen DeGeneres just launched her very own vegan site this week.

DeGeneres was influenced by a multitude of sources as she made the leap to a vegan diet in 2008. DeGeneres mentions being impacted by the books, Skinny Bitch and Diet for a New America. She was also influenced from the documentaries, “Earthlings” and “Meet Your Meat.”

DeGeneres now has great affection for the vegan lifestyle and wanted to share her passion with a new website. The site is called “Going Vegan with Ellen.” At this portal site from Ellen.com, readers will be introduced to the all-plant diet and learn how to cut animal products from their diets.

DeGeneres has faced some criticism for this development, though. She has had an ongoing relationship with Cover Girl, one of the largest brands in the United States that conducts animal testing on its products. Many are confused by the hypocrisy that the vegan promotion and cosmetic company relationship seem to present. It’s unclear if DeGeneres knew of the animal testing when she signed with Cover Girl, or if her site and vegan efforts are financed by her Cover Girl earnings. Regardless, her site and efforts to promote the vegan lifestyle are forging forward.

The site will include vegan recipes, advice for beginners, frequently asked questions, and book and film resources.

While the site is endorsed by several other vegan celebrities, the statistics about a plant-based diet may speak louder than any trendy celeb spokesperson. At the time of this site launch the American Dietetic Association has supported scientific studies that have confirmed multiple health benefits of the vegan diet. It’s been confirmed that vegan and vegetarian diets are related to lower cholesterol levels, lower heart disease risks, lower blood pressure levels, reduced hypertension risks, lower type 2 diabetes risks, lower body fat, and an overall cancer risk reduction. In addition, continued studies are showing that a vegan diet can reverse diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.

The facts speak volumes of why one would want to change their diet to a vegan one. As more studies confirm DeGeneres’s convictions, it seems likely many among us could be “Going Vegan with Ellen.”

Read more: Do Good, Health, Make-Up, Vegan, celebrities, cover girl, Ellen DeGeneres, vegan

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Lydia P.

9:20AM PDT on Apr 14, 2012

At least she's drawing attention to the plight of animals suffering. Cover girl is only a stepping stone to further the cause. I'm not personally offended. It will take years to completely move away from animals being used in foodstuffs and toiletries. Ellen has at least got us off to a good start. When the slaughterhouses finally close down, these materials will no longer be available to the cosmetic companies. I think Ellen is great.

send a green star

MarilynBusy F.

1:50PM PDT on Apr 12, 2012

Obviously, if she's opening a vegan restaurant, she'll be trying to convert people. DUH

Angela N.

11:44AM PDT on Apr 8, 2012

Lutrecia K.

12:21AM PDT on Apr 8, 2012

Ellen's show, like so many other of these types of shows, has a lot of give-a-ways for the audience. I didn't like the way during the holidays in 2011 when Ellen gave away a year supply of Skinny Cow which consisted of dairy products. I tell you, if she is vegan, she is sending a mixed message by cavorting with Cover Girl whose parent company is Proctor and Gamble. P&G, like Gillette, just refuse to stop using animals in their testing where most cosmetic and other companies are using different methods.

Sandi C.

6:38AM PDT on Apr 3, 2012

WAY TO GO ELLEN!

Debbie C.

I did not know Ellen was vegan. I sure hope she is talking with Cover Girl to get them to stop the animal testing.

I stopped using Cover Girl years ago and do not plan on going back until I hear they are not testing on the animals any longer.

Lea J.

11:27AM PST on Mar 1, 2012

I, too, am happy to see Ellen advocating for a plant-based diet. But knowing what I do about Proctor and Gamble, it is disturbing to see this company thrown into the mix. I wonder if she has a contract that she can't break, and will expire soon. I don't see how anyone being vegan can endorse companies that openly use cruel and barbaric means of testing products. Maybe she needs to see some of the videos of animals in these torture chambers. That's enough to change anyone's mind. How can something so unspeakable cruel be processed and packed and sold into pretty packages that sell in a drug store?

Rosa m.

11:14AM PST on Mar 1, 2012

I think it's great that Ellen has a vegan websight!

Zuzana K.

6:37AM PST on Feb 19, 2012

At least she is vegetarian and that is an important thing too - after all not many people do that. Sure it would be nice if she endorsed cruelty free company, but she does more than most celebrities (fur wearing Kardashians say)

Vikki C.

11:09AM PST on Jan 14, 2012

I've been thinking the same thing for quite awhile now. I could never wrap my mind around being the cover girl for Cover Girl, knowing that they test on animals. I really like Ellen, but wish she'd drop her image from that particular company & endorse a cruelty-free line instead. OR, try to use her role to help them see the error of their ways (probably not much she can go about that, though). Now THAT would be great!!!