The 'A Wrinkle in Time' director and the 'Avengers: Infinity War' actor beat out stars like Zac Efron and Ellen Pompeo to nab the title.

• Jul 12, 2018

AceShowbiz - Director Ava DuVernay and Benedict Cumberbatch have been crowned PETA's Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities of 2018.

Ava and Avengers: Infinity War star Benedict beat out the likes of actors Zac Efron and Ellen Pompeo, and musicians including Ne-Yo, will.i.am, Swizz Beatz, and Jason Derulo to land this year's titles, following a vote by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) officials.

"Ava DuVernay and Benedict Cumberbatch are saving animals not only by going vegan but also by sharing their commitment with the world," PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange shares in a statement. "The vegan powerhouses behind Selma and Doctor Strange, respectfully, beautifully show what it means to be a compassionate star in 2018."

Celebrating one of the winners of PETA's Most Beautiful #Vegan Celebrities, @Ava DuVernay! ✨

LOVE that the barrier-breaking film director (#WrinkleInTime, #Selma, & #13th) is working to make the world a better place for humans and animals 💙 https://t.co/vnRuy8c9pHpic.twitter.com/xYM9EkV0Xi

— PETA 🐾 (@peta) July 11, 2018

DuVernay has long championed the benefits of veganism, insisting it's a social justice issue.

"My mum always said to treat others like you like to be treated...," she previously told The Hollywood Reporter. "(Everyone) wants to be... respected and treated in a loving way."

Meanwhile, British actor Cumberbatch is a new vegan after choosing to stop eating all meat, dairy, and other animal products to help him shape up for his role as comic book superhero Doctor Strange.

"I eat a plant-based diet," he told Time Out London.

A BIG congrats to #Emmy-winning star of #DrStrange and @Avengers: #Infinity War, Benedict Cumberbatch! 👏

He embodies what it means to be a compassionate, #vegan star, and that's why he was crowned as one of PETA's Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities. https://t.co/vnRuy8c9pHpic.twitter.com/c1wxv2ntHE

— PETA 🐾 (@peta) July 11, 2018

Animal rights organisation bosses, who this year changed the name of their annual honours from Sexiest Vegan Celebrities to Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities, have previously celebrated stars like Liam Hemsworth, Miley Cyrus, Ellen Page, Jared Leto, Kristen Bell, Jessica Chastain, Carrie Underwood, Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, and Alicia Silverstone for their vegan lifestyles, while Jenna Dewan, Maggie Q, and Ruby Rose shared 2017's title.