VIVA
/ BAL ANCED LIVING
Bellamy Young changes her name and her diet to make it in Hollywood By Bonnie Siegler STAGE NAMES ARE COMMONPLACE in an industry that puts a premium on projecting perfection. This phenomenon explains how Robert Zimmerman became Bob Dylan, Chan Kong-sang became Jackie Chan and Angelina Voigt became Angelina Jolie. In Bellamy Young’s case, changing her name was an a necessity to continue as an actor in Hollywood. She was born Amy Young in Asheville, North Carolina and it wasn’t until she applied for her Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card that she was forced to change her name. The SAG doesn’t allow two actors to have the same name and someone else has already laid claim to this moniker.
BECOMING SCANDALOUS
Young started out on Broadway in productions such as Faust and The Life, but soon moved to Los Angeles to star in film and TV. She took a turn opposite Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible 3 and last year Young was cast in the political thriller and break out hit Scandal. As First Lady Mellie Grant, Young plays a scandalous political animal on screen. In real life, however, Young is a gentle soul who enjoys regular yoga and a vegan lifestyle. She needs the solace and meditation of a hike or yoga for her exercise.
THE VEGAN EPIPHANY
Young became vegan in 1988, during her sophomore year at Yale. “They served baked breast of chicken and the server plated it off kilter,” recalls Young on her vegan epiphany. “As it was lowered down to my tray, it literally looked like my mother’s little dog rolling over for me to pet its little pink stomach.” She’s never eaten meat again. “I am so fortunate that my body functions much better without meat and it definitely does much better without dairy.” The actress doesn’t fuss over cooking her own vegan dishes. “I make quinoa or put peanut butter in my oatmeal, which is a great breakfast for me,” says Young. Her oatmeal variations include: turmeric and cinnamon, or hemp seeds topped with nutritional yeast. “I’m a whole foods kind of girl.”
Young also starts each day with a green drink. One of her favorites includes aloe vera juice with spiruline and a squeeze of lemon juice. She is also a big fan of almond milk and almond yogurt.
SUPPLEMENTS ARE KEY TO YOUNG’S VEGAN LIFESTYLE
Young feels that supplements are an essential part of her healthy vegan lifestyle. “Iron is super important, as are B vitamins,” says Young. “I take vitamin D too because it seems prudent since I’m staying out of the sun. And I always take a calcium, magnesium and zinc [vitamin] in the morning.” Along with these nutritional supplements, Young makes sure to supplement for her hair. “I take Viatin and a product called Lustrous Hair. Sometimes different considerations are based on different needs that are current.”
BALANCE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
While eating healthy and exercising are important, you can’t have true success without balance. “It’s been a journey towards being more gentle with myself,” says Young. “I used to drive myself really hard.” Now, Young remains mindful about being gentle towards herself and others. All of this together have helped deliver a scandalous career. VM FALL / 2013 VIVAMAGONLINE.COM
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