Veg Celeb: Marco Antonio Regil

Helming Spanish-language versions of such iconic game shows such as The Price Is Right, Mexican broadcaster Marco Antonio Regil currently hosts 100 Latinos Dijeron on MundoFOX. Regil went vegan in September 2006, after watching the PETA documentary Glass Walls. 

What was it like narrating a Spanish-language version of Glass Walls?

It was such an honor! This was the documentary that changed my life and opened my eyes to what was happening in the food industry. Since sharing the Spanish-language version on social media, I’ve received thousands of comments with very similar reactions to the one I had. For me, it was shocking at first. I then realized I had a choice to be or not be a part of it, and I decided to never, ever sponsor animal cruelty with my consumption.

Ag-gag legislation makes it illegal to take video or photographs on factory farms, which would have prohibited the footage shown in Glass Walls. What’s your reaction to such laws?

Ag-gag laws that have passed in some states and been rejected in others, like California, break my heart. Instead of working to minimize the suffering of these animals and being thankful to the people who have exposed the cruelty, the industry is hiding what it’s doing with stricter [anti-whistleblowing] rules. If the animals are as happy as presented in the industry’s marketing strategies, why not allow cameras and share openly with consumers? The violence that takes place between humans and animals is not only cruel to animals but to humans too. Can you imagine what kind of people we are creating in these workers, who have to spend eight to 12 hours a day seeing and feeling the suffering of other living beings? What kind of father, mother, husband, wife, or neighbor will these workers be after such a daily routine? I wish I could see a big change happen in this world. All I can do, by my daily life choices, is be part of the change I would like to see. Evolution and compassion are key.

Did you meet any resistance from family or friends to your going vegan?

It’s funny, I used to eat fast food and drink a lot of diet soda, and nobody would say anything. But the moment I said I was going vegan, suddenly I’m surrounded by people saying: “You are going to die!” and “You are going to lose your hair!” And a couple of others told me that God created animals for us to eat them. The good thing is that I made this change with education and coaching.

As a TV host, you’re interacting with new people all the time. Any tips for helping put someone at ease?

Listening! Being genuinely interested in the other person and asking them questions, and then, of course, listening from a neutral place and understanding what they say without judging them.