Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied wed last weekend, and to celebrate their nuptials, they feasted on vegan food at an all-vegan reception. PETA sent our friend Natalie the "Tea for Two" teapot from Daisy Dog Studio.

The U.S. has fallen for gold medal winner Gabby Douglas, but the gymnast hardly ever falls—except for animals. Answering Us Weekly's "25 Things You Don't Know About Me" quiz, Douglas' number one fact was "My favorite animals are dogs and cats." She went on to brag about having two dogs of her own.

Glee star Charlotte Ross hit it off with a chimpanzee named Burrito she met while visiting a Washington sanctuary. Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, which PETA works with, is a home for chimpanzees who were rescued from animal testing facilities. Charlotte said the trip made her even more determined to see the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act passed.

There was no love lost between Jane Lynch and the restaurant most notorious for bigotry and chicken abuse. Jane kicked off Comedy Central's roast of Roseanne Barr with a spirited, "F*** Chick-fil-A!" We're with you, Jane.

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So is Alicia Silverstone, who joined in the Twitter conversation this week with her pro-equality, pro-chickens message:

Call it "animal magnetism," but we couldn't help but notice how many of the women on Maxim's Hot 100 list look awfully familiar. Olivia Munn edged out almost everyone, claiming the number two spot, but she's number one in our eyes for her defense of animals used in circuses and horses forced to pull carriages—just ask Hoda Kotb! 

 
Rubbing shoulders with Olivia on the list is Katy Perry at number three. Ms. Perry became Mrs. Sexiest Vegetarian in the UK when she married Russell Brand, and he might be rubbing off on the singer, who has said that she loves Tofurky. At number five, Mila Kunis is definitely hot, but fur, she says, is not.

Vegetarians liberally pepper the list, including Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, and reigning Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity Olivia Wilde. 

Lea Michele has more in common with Olivia Munn than just talent and beauty—the fur-free vegetarian star has tirelessly campaigned to end horse-drawn carriages too. Near to Lea on the list and in their animal-friendly values is Eva Mendes, who bared her skin for PETA to save the skins of animals killed for fur. And Audrina Patridge is an angel for animals, asking her fans always to adopt from an animal shelter in a PETA ad.

So many of the Hot 100 ladies are doing great things for animals that they were too numerous to mention here, but one thing is clear: Being compassionate makes one beautiful inside and out.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

The Oscar speeches may be over, but there are still some shout-outs left to send.

You can't talk about this year's winners without mentioning glowing vegan mom-to-be Natalie Portman, who gracefully accepted the Best Actress Award for Black Swan, which was directed by PETA friend, Darren Aronofsky. A faux-fur and -leather fan, Natalie is in good company with Best Actress in a Supporting Role winner Melissa Leo, who wore a dress by cruelty-free designer Marc Bouwer. Melissa wasn't faking her surprise and excitement, but she wisely fakes her fur. 

The fact that The Social Network composer Trent Reznor took home an Oscar for Original Score was music to animals' ears. Reznor spoke out against the fur industry's use of cat and dog skins in a video that he narrated for PETA.

Co-host and Best Actor nominee James Franco is a cat person, too, as he shows in this sweet picture. And co-host Anne Hathaway's vegetarian diet no doubt helped keep her physique sleek and ready for all those costume changes.

If your animals, like mine, dozed off during the show, they'll be happy to hear the animal-friendly results.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

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We just told you about the Fun, Fearless (Animal-Loving!) Males of 2011, and now the girls are getting their turn. AskMen released its 10^th annual Top 99 Most Desirable Women list, and so many animal-friendly ladies were included that it can't be a coincidence—it's hot to be compassionate!

Several Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity alums ranked high on the list, including Natalie Portman, Kristen Bell, and reigning Sexiest Vegetarian Olivia Wilde. 

Some possible contenders for future Sexiest Vegetarian honors are among the Top 99 Most Desirable as well. Lovely Glee star Dianna Agron loves her veggies, and Anne Hathaway recently added fish to her "friends, not food" list, bidding adieu to sushi. Katy Perry has been singing the praises of eating Tofurky with vegetarian hubby Russell Brand, so it might not be long before his diet rubs off on her.

So many of the Top 99 ladies have done public service announcements for PETA that we wonder if AskMen searched our ads for its candidates. Vegan Lea Michele is a staunch defender of horses used in the horse-drawn carriage industry and of animals killed for their fur. Lea's abhorrence of fur is shared by Eva Mendes, who narrated an anti-fur video for PETA, and by Natalie Imbruglia, who starred in an anti-fur exposé for PETA Australia.

Rounding out our picks of delightful, desirable damsels is PETA pal Olivia Munn, who isn't shy about standing up for animals who are abused in circuses and puppy mills. 

Written by Michelle Sherrow

Mila Kunis, who was just nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance opposite vegan all-star Natalie Portman in Black Swan—the new psychological thriller from PETA friend Darren Aronofsky—is receiving praise for her talent and beauty, but we also love her for being outspokenly fur-free! 

In a behind-the-scenes report on her cover shoot for Nylon, the magazine notes that "the actress made sure [the coat she wore] was faux fur." They dressed her in a leopard print jacket and it's completely not surprising that she looks great.

Wish good luck to animal lovers Mila, Natalie, and Darren at the Golden Globes!

Written by Jeff Mackey

I have but two great loves in life: animals and shoes. But there's nothing I hate more than when the latter causes the former suffering. So I was over the moon—and slightly jealous—when I heard that mayjah fashion house Dior had made special vegan shoes for the new face of its Miss Dior Cherie campaign, Natalie Portman.

Portman, a vegan shoe designer herself and a girl after my own heart, has been known to rock Stella McCartney on many a red carpet. (BTW, did you hear that I'm giving away a Stella McCartney bag on PETA's Facebook page?) But for her media appearances promoting Black Swan (my new favorite movie), she's been switching it up between McCartney accessories and her veganized Dior shoes.

"One of the things that's been so nice is that Dior made all of the shoes for me with no animals and no leather or anything, because I don't wear any leather," Portman told WWD.com. "They remade all my shoes so I can wear Dior shoes without taking lives." Ya, that's pretty nice.

Written by Royale Ziegler

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"I was like, 'Um, could you make two of those?' And I'd make a cute face, and they'd roll their eyes and give me another falafel."
—Natalie Portman, on how easy Brothers co-star Tobey Maguire, who brought his own vegan chef to the set, made it for the newly vegan starlet to eat humanely.

Jake Gyllenhaal hasn't issued a statement yet, but I'm willing to bet he chowed down with his co-stars on some vegan vittles too. Could you resist food from a personal vegan chef?

Written by Logan Scherer

I know we just talked about Natalie Portman yesterday, but let's face it, she's kinda magical. How magical? Enough to make a steakhouse go vegetarian—at least for one night.

It all went down on last night's episode of Top Chef. (Warning: Spoilers ahead for those who haven't seen it yet.) Like my fellow PETA Files blogger, Missy—who gave us a heads-up about this treat back in July—I'm a fan of the show despite its constant emphasis on serving up, well, dead animals (which the contestants bizarrely insist on calling "protein," as if they're nutritionists instead of chefs).

True to form, the opening "Quickfire Challenge" involved creating TV dinners inspired by iconic TV shows, and all of them ended up meat-centered. So when the chefs were told that the "Elimination Challenge" would take place at judge Tom Colicchio's Vegas steakhouse, Craftsteak, they eagerly began planning which cut of meat to use and how to cook it.

But Top Chef loves its surprises, and this week's came in the lovely form of guest judge Natalie Portman, who told the cheftestants, "I love food. I love eating. I'm pretty adventurous with flavors and different cuisines, and the one thing is, I'm a vegetarian." Cue the dramatic music and shocked faces.

Some of the chefs, like Robin and Mike I., professed confidence in handling a veggie challenge, while others were apprehensive, including Kevin, who had earlier proclaimed, "Cooking meat is me in my element!" But more surprises were in store, as meat-loving Kevin won the challenge with his hearty ensemble of mushrooms, smoked kale, candied garlic, and turnip purée.

I hope this episode provides aspiring chefs—both on and off the show—with food for thought (sorry).

Written by Jeff Mackey

Finally, I'll be able to watch Top Chef with a clear conscience! Have you heard the deliciously good news? The Bravo show has announced its list of guest judges for the upcoming season, and on the roster is none other than the stunning vegan actor Ms. Natalie Portman!

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I can't not love this show!

While it crushes my little heart each time the show's chefs spotlight animal unfriendly cuisine, you and I both know what must be in store if they're open to featuring Natalie. Given that the gal won't even wear leather for a big-screen role (instead ensuring that producers find her cruelty-free synthetics) and is an ethical vegan, we can be sure that the show's contestants will cook up some dishes that we'll all want to devour.

Written by Missy Lane

Here’s what Natalie Portman told The Sun last week when she was asked about her refusal to wear leather for a role:

I’m still waiting for the right time to let Natalie Portman know the extent and depth of my feelings for her. I’ll let you know how that goes.

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