Vegan Drag Queen Wins Celebrity Big Brother

Australian performer Courtney Act (born Shane Jenek) won United Kingdom-reality show Celebrity Big Brother last week. Act—who also appeared on reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2014—explained in a video she made for last year’s World Vegetarian Day her reason for adopting a vegan lifestyle. “The raising of animals and the farming of animals destroys our planet,” Act said, “and so it is really important that we start to move toward a plant-based diet because even if you don’t believe in climate change, climate change actually doesn’t give a [expletive] because it’s just going to happen with or without you.” In regard to her win, Act told BBC that it represents the show’s acceptance of those who are different. “My inspiration coming into the house was that teenage boy who didn’t quite know where he belonged or how he fit in and feeling inspired by the Spice Girls,” Act said, “and not knowing what that meant but knowing if it was ok for them to be different, then it was ok for me to be different. I guess it’s validation that it’s ok to be different.” Act was chosen the winner over finalist (and former member of parliament) Ann Widdecombe, who consistently voted against LGBTQ issues while in office.