PETA's Sexiest Vegan Next Door Could Be Gambrills Man

GAMBRILLS, MD — You can vote now for a security consultant and former Marine from Gambrills who is a contender for PETA's national title of Sexiest Vegan Next Door. Michael Dalpini has beaten out hundreds of other entrants nationwide to advance to the final round of 20 contestants, two of whom will win a trip to Hawaii, according to a news release.

Dalpini — a security consultant for professional sports teams, as well as a working actor and model — went vegan after taking an ethics class at Columbia University. Although he's always been active, the former Marine says in a PETA news release that he feels "100 times better on the inside" since going vegan, and he credits an animal-free diet with improving his digestion, stamina, and fitness levels.

Growing up near Annapolis with a passion for sailing, Dalpini told PETA he felt connected to sea life, and opposes the fishing industry.

In his free time, Dalpini trains for bodybuilding competitions and helps other veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, the press release says.

"Michael Dalpini is a living, breathing example of the strength, energy, and positivity that can come from going vegan," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "All the finalists in PETA's Sexiest Vegan Next Door contest prove that there's nothing sexier than striving to make the world a kinder place."

Voting to help PETA determine which finalists it should select as the winners ends at noon ET on May 13. The winners — who will be selected based on several factors, including vote count — will be announced on May 20. This is the first year that the contest is gender neutral. See the full contest details here.

Two winners will each receive a free vacation for two to Hawaii, courtesy of Humane Travel.

For more information, visit PETA.org.