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Maggie Q has discussed why she prefers to call herself ‘plant-based’ – saying the word vegan can ‘make people feel very judged’.
The actor, who has appeared in films like Mission: Impossible III and Live Free or Die Hard, made the comments in an interview with The Beet.
While she often advocates publicly for animals, she revealed why she prefers the term ‘plant-based’ – which usually relates to diet, rather than representing an ethical position.
‘Strong convictions’
Q, who ditched animal products more than 20 years ago, told The Beet: “I gave up meat 20 years ago. When I did it, my convictions were rooted in animal cruelty and environmental impact.
“That’s why I gave up meat. Because it wasn’t about me and vanity and health, my convictions were very strong – so I never fell off the wagon.
“I don’t [call myself vegan], because it has become a weird, negative term and people feel very judged by it. So I like plant-based better because it’s friendlier: it’s inclusive. You can’t judge people. They have to be where they’re at, and you have to accept them for where they are.”
‘I hate labels’
Q is not the only prolific person to speak publicly about the word ‘vegan’. Last year, tennis ace Novak Djokovic explained why he doesn’t like to be called vegan at a post-match conference during Wimbledon.
“I don’t like the labels, to be honest. I do eat plant-based (food), for quite a few years already,” he said. “But because of the misinterpretations of labels and misuse of labels, I just don’t like that kind of name.
“I do eat plant-based. I think that’s one of the reasons why I recover well. I don’t have allergies that I used to have any more. And I like it.”
