Amber Benson

The results are in, and PETA is pleased to announce that Grammy-winning rock royal Prince and the veggie Venus of Veronica Mars, Kristen Bell, have been selected the 2006 winners of PETA’s "World’s Sexiest Vegetarians" poll. Red-carpet runners-up include V for Vendetta star Natalie Portman (proof that "V" is also for "veggie vixen"), desperately hot housewife Nicollette Sheridan, Brokeback Mountain beauty Anne Hathaway, INXS lead singer J.D. Fortune, TV Guide hottie Michael Ausiello, and Walk the Line’s dashing "Johnny Cash," Joaquin Phoenix.

Why are so many in Tinseltown shunning meat quicker than you can say "veggie burger"? Celebrities cite many reasons for forgoing flesh, from avoiding the cruelty that is inherent in all meat production to improving their health and energy levels and helping the environment by not contributing to factory-farm pollution.

Both of this year’s winners are more than just sexy vegetarians-they’re also active animal lovers. Going vegetarian was an easy choice for brainy beauty Kristin Bell, who says, "I have always been an animal lover. I had a hard time disassociating the animals I cuddled with-dogs and cats, for example-from the animals on my plate, and I never really cared for the taste of meat. I always loved my Brussels sprouts!" Speaking of cuddling with companion animals, Kristen is crazy about her dogs, Shakey, Lola, and Sadie, explaining, "Lola and Shakey come from the East Valley pound in L.A. Sadie is a Hurricane Katrina dog. ... Sadie stole my heart. She is 12 years old and just wants a comfy home to rest in. She is a wonderful addition to our family!"

A symbol of humanity and an artist of compassion, Prince is a "prince" of a guy to animals, and he won’t eat "anything with parents" because "Thou shalt not kill means just that!" The strict vegan-whose critically acclaimed new album, 3121, just debuted at No. 1-was praised by animal lovers everywhere for giving fans the lowdown on wool in the liner notes of his CD Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic. Photographed looking fabulous in faux wool, he closed the CD with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: "2 my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being."

Previous "Sexiest Vegetarians" include Carrie Underwood, Chris Martin, Andre 3000, Tobey Maguire, Josh Hartnett, Alicia Silverstone, Lauren Bush, Shania Twain, and Natalie Portman.