Online Vegan Video Star Joanne Rose

For the most part, we vegetarians tend to take the cruelty-free commitment pretty seriously. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a healthy appetite for humor. Let’s face it: being veg in a very non-veg world certainly brings about its own awkward, amusing, and oh-so memorable moments. Accomplished author, kitchen diva, model, and actress, Joanne Rose makes light of such blips in an upcoming series of video sketches, Vegan 101. As the author, co-director, and lead actress of these short films, this 32-year-old Australian native will be featured on her website. VN got all the details from this proud producer in a pre-release interview.

VegNews: We were excited to hear word of your upcoming sketch comedy Dating a Vegan, going to production next month. Please do dish!
Joanne Rose: I am developing Vegan 101 as a web series and stage show, which will feature comedic sketches about being a vegan—in highly exaggerated situations. People will be able to see it online through veganvision.net and on stage in New York and Los Angeles. The idea is to inspire, educate, and entertain all at the same time. People love to laugh and be entertained, so it’s a way of informing others about veganism in a different light.

VN: What is veganvision.net?
JR: Veganvision.net is a company I founded and created to provide vegan education via advice, presentations, recipes, personalized meal plans, shopping tips, children?s books, film, TV, and stage.

VN: Can you tell me a little bit about the inspiration and purpose for taking on Dating a Vegan?
JR: I wanted to do a take on awkward moments, which seems to be something most vegans have encountered at some stage of dating. I hope to achieve international success so the word “vegan” becomes a strong part of global vocabulary, which will influence others to learn about the lifestyle through curiosity and fascination. With entertainment, people won’t shun away.

VN: Are there any other sketches in the works?
JR: I have just completed another comedic sketch for Vegan 101 called “The Church of Vegan-ology.” I plan to do a reading in New York City this summer and a performance in Los Angeles.

VN: What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years? The next 20?
JR: I would love to continue acting and establish Vegan 101 as a successful TV series. It would be great to have some celebrity vegan actors make cameo appearances, and I would love to work with Ed Begley, Jr., Linda Blair, Emily Deschanel, and Joaquin Phoenix. In the next 20 years I would love to see a massive increase in the number of vegans worldwide.

VN: How long have you been vegan and what originally inspired you to give up animal products?
JR: Since 1994. I was always an animal lover but never thought about what I was truly eating. When I became aware, I was absolutely devastated. I became a vegetarian for a few months before comfortably transitioning in to veganism. I couldn’t justify doing it half way, as it seemed so wrong to depend on animals for human consumption in any sense.