If you need any proof that vegan food and plant-based living are hot, just look to some of the strongest cultural touchstones of society at the moment: drag queens.
RuPaul’s Drag Race all-star Monét X Change had her own entirely vegan talk show in 2022, thanks to Alpha Foods. New York-based queen Honey LaBronx (drag daughter of Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen) is an outspoken vegan and human-rights activist. But before drag queens earned Emmys and served as the latest gotta-have-it addition to pop star music videos, there were trailblazers like Jackie Beat.
An icon in the world of drag, Jackie Beat’s 30-year-plus career spans from New York City—where her one-woman show, “Jackie Beat Is A Whole Lotta’ Love,” ran for a record 18 months—to Los Angeles—where wish as a writer for the Hollywood elite, including (the vegan-curious) Jennifer Coolidge, Rosie O’Donnell, and Joan Rivers. to name a few.
Jackie Beat/Instagram
And at 61 years old, not only is the drag artist not showing any signs of slowing down (you can catch her starring as Dorothy Zbornak in Los Angeles’ hit Golden Girlz Live show or in her own OutTv series Dr. Jackie), but she’s expanding her reach and fandom, becoming an outspoken vegan advocate after making the switch to her diet in 2023.
So we caught up with Jackie to find out: just what food fuels an unstoppable vegan drag queen?
Nadamoo!
Table of Contents
On her favorite vegan snacks
“Oh gosh, where do I start!? I really love these vegan, gluten-free snacks by PeaTos—rhymes with Cheetos, get it? They make crunchy cheeseless puffs which are, in my opinion (the only one that really counts), better than the original. They also have a fiery hot version, but I don’t even buy these because very spicy food makes my nose run and that is just not cute when you’re in drag. They even make a Funyun-adjacent onion ring snack too.
I am also really into NadaMoo frozen snack bites. They’re essentially balls of vegan ice cream and they come in flavors like (in order of obsession …) Salted Caramel, Peanut Butter, and Orange Creme. Okay, one more! Goodie Girl Magical Animal Crackers are vegan and gluten-free and so yummy! I love that they’re not too sweet.”
OmniFoods
On her kitchen-must haves
“The Omni Classic Plant-Based Fish-Style Fillets are so good right out of the air fryer with some vegan mayo mixed with sweet pickle relish on a gluten-free flour tortilla. I miss fish the most so these totally float my boat See what I did there? Fish… Boat… Nevermind.
One of my favorite go-to’s when I’m feeling lazy is Trader Joe’s frozen Thai Green Curry with Tofu Sheets and Jasmine Rice. I have been known to chop up some extra tofu sheets (available frozen on its own also at TJ’s) to give it a little more protein and make it a little more filling.
And finally, I am madly in love with Bragg’s Nutritional Yeast. Yes, I realize that everyone is, and that saying this is like saying the sky is blue or I am beautiful, but there may be relatively new vegans reading and they need to know! I put it on and in everything. I will even sprinkle it right into a bag of store-bought chips or popcorn that need a little more flavor.”
@vegantraplord, @veganhackspod, @vegan_punks
On her social media favorites
“Again, where do I start!? I really appreciate @veganhackspod because, like me, he is always looking for a good deal! And I appreciate the fact that he’s not a skinny blonde woman in yoga pants. Am I allowed to say that? I also love Tommy The Mushroom Man at @vegantraplord_ and Jess & Dan at @vegan_punks.
All of these people are so passionate about veganism and seem to be spreading the word for all the right reasons. I follow a few accounts that feel a little too commercial and mercenary for my taste. And I’m a shameless whore!”
Jackie Beat/Instagram
On her favorite vegan restaurants in Los Angeles
“I love the Spicy Mint Salad at My Vegan in Pasadena. It’s the closest thing to Thai larb with all its lime, chilis, and raw red onion. I order it with either mushrooms or soy chicken. I also order their Pad See Ew and then build perfect bites comprised of warm blubbery noodles and the cold crispy salad. It’s literally my favorite flavor/texture combo. Pure heaven! Plus the place is very affordable. Honorable mention: the gluten-free steak quesadilla at Something Vegan in Toluca Lake is bonkers yummy!”
Hart House
Any last-minute favorites?
“I really enjoy the Deluxe Hot ‘n’ Crispy Chick’n sandwich at Kevin Hart’s new vegan chain Hart House. I wish I had something pithy or sophisticated to say about beauty, travel, or books … but at this point in my life, my idea of a good time is a great vegan spin on a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich served with tater tots.”
For more plant-based interviews like this, check out:
Richard Bowie (@wichiebowie) is VegNews’ editorial director based in Los Angeles, CA.
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