Model and Pageant Winner's Dedication to Helping Animals Nabs Her a Free Trip to Hawaii
For Immediate
Release:
May 21, 2012
Contact:
David Perle
202-483-7382
San Jose, Calif. -- The reigning Miss National Asia—22-year-old San Jose resident Tiana Rae Tran—can add PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Next Door 2012 to her list of titles. The student and model beat out nine other finalists to be crowned the female winner of PETA's contest and take home the grand prize of a free trip for two to Hawaii, courtesy of the PETA Member Advantage Program.
Tran, who is currently studying child development at San Jose State University, was born and raised in San Jose. She went vegetarian five years ago out of concern for animals and now shares PETA's "Meet Your Meat" video, which exposes the abuse of animals on factory farms, with friends and family as often as she can.
"Vegetarians and vegans spare up to 100 lives every year," says Tran. As for the other benefits? "I look leaner, I'm more energetic, but the most important health benefit is psychological," Tran explains. "There is no guilt from my diet. I no longer have to worry about the day I enter heaven and have to look into the eyes of all those I have eaten and apologize. There is this sense of peace, well-being, and connectedness that comes with being vegetarian."
Fluent in Chinese and skilled at playing the Chinese harp, Tran has multiple Asian-American beauty pageant titles to her name (including Miss National Asia's Miss Congeniality). Three years ago, she convinced the organizers of a beauty pageant in Hong Kong to serve vegetarian meals. When she's not speaking up for animals, studying, or competing in pageants, Tran enjoys playing online games, eating—especially vegan blueberry donuts—and hiking.
"Vegetarians' boosted health and energy—and the kindness they show for animals—make them sexy inside and out," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Tiana's outer beauty is obvious to anyone who meets her, but it's her passion for helping animals that makes her a winner in PETA's book."
Photos of Tran, who is available for interviews, can be found here. For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.
