From Broadway dreams to vegan advocacy, meet Estefania Duque — the artist-activist turning compassion into a lifestyle

Born in Louisiana with Colombian roots, Estefy doesn’t just teach singing, acting, and writing—she lives her values with unwavering conviction. Her journey to veganism wasn’t just about diet; it was a spiritual awakening, a creative rebellion, and a call to protect the voiceless.

In this interview, she opens up about the challenges of staying true to her ethics in the entertainment industry, how art can become a powerful vehicle for change, and the everyday joy of choosing love over cruelty.

With warmth, humor, and fierce compassion, Estefy invites us into her vibrant world—where even Instagram stories can spark revolutions, and a bowl of cereal can change your life.

Curious? You should be. Keep reading to discover how one woman is reshaping the narrative—one vegan multiverse at a time.

1) Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to adopt a vegan lifestyle?

Hello, I’m Estefania Duque, of Colombian descent and born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Growing up, my mother leaned toward a flexitarian or vegetarian lifestyle, while my dad was a big fan of non-vegan products, driven by the misguided belief that they were the only path to health and proper development.

Now I know the truth: I don’t need any of those suffering-filled products to thrive. In fact, I’m so much better without them.
Listening to my intuition and to my body’s wisdom led me to veganism. The purpose of offering all animals on this planet a peaceful and loving life keeps me happy and motivated.

Creative expressions like the “Soya the Cow” drag queen performance, online content, inventive recipes, and hilarious memes keep me laughing and inspired. The vegan community keeps growing, and love—when aligned with action—keeps expanding.

I’m incredibly proud of the life I’m living. Becoming vegan changed everything for the better. It marked the end of a huge moral dilemma that we simply don’t need to carry. The level of clarity it brings is astonishing.

2) How has your passion for animals and nature influenced your personal and professional life?

I’ve started projects with the clear intention of raising awareness and helping people connect with animals and their own senses.

During university, I presented a photography series called “Our Little Loves”, portraying joyful and authentic relationships between humans and various animals—like a horse, a bunny, a cat, a dog, and our star of the show: a cow.

Finding a cow in Paris was definitely a challenge, but in the end, everything worked out. I presented the series, and it even brought some laughter to the room.

3) As a coach for singing, acting, and writing, how do you integrate your love for veganism and the environment into your artistic endeavors?

I only sing words of love. So in a performance or a song, I’ll adapt lyrics when needed to encourage reflection and align the piece with a compassionate perspective.

I’m very firm in my values and refuse to promote art that contradicts animal rights. For example, in acting, I only play vegan characters. If the character isn’t vegan in the script, I’ll talk to the director. If our visions don’t align, I’m okay with walking away from the project.

I choose to surround myself only with compassionate, respectful, and open-minded people. As for writing, I only create stories set in vegan worlds or multiverses. I just assume the world I’m writing about is fully vegan by default.

4) Can you share some of the challenges you’ve faced in promoting a vegan lifestyle and how you’ve overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges has been not coming across as pushy. I’m passionate about the compassionate lifestyle, so when the moment is right, I love to engage in reflective conversations with people who haven’t had their “vegan mental click” yet.

It’s all about aligning our actions with our values. Most people love animals and want to protect them—they just need help recognizing the cognitive dissonance that society has normalized.

5) What role does spirituality play in your approach to veganism and your connection with nature?

I actually became vegan for spiritual reasons first. I was already a vegetarian for the animals when, one day, I felt a divine calling to give up dairy and eggs.

I woke up, made a bowl of cereal, and instead of pouring Greek yogurt over it, I used applesauce. I never looked back.

After that, more and more knowledge about animal exploitation kept coming to me. Now, I’m vegan for both my soul and the animals. It’s truly the most reasonable approach to eating.

I would never want to be nourished by the milk of a mother cow who was separated from her baby, raped, and exploited. That milk is meant for her calf, who deserves to live happily with their family.

6) How do you use your social media platforms to advocate for animal rights and environmental sustainability?

I like to use my Instagram stories to spark reflection or plant a seed in someone’s mind—to help them reach that vegan mental click.

I prefer a soft, heart-led, or even humorous approach. I’ve found that keeping it light encourages people to be more open to vegan values and the lifestyle as a whole.

7) Can you share a memorable experience where your commitment to veganism made a significant impact on someone else’s life?

Honestly, every single day I exist as a vegan on this Earth is memorable to me. Some of our fellow animals get to live in peace because of it—and that’s pretty awesome, if you ask me! 😄

On a more serious note, one of the most memorable moments was when I moved back in with my mother and siblings after becoming vegan. I stood firm in my commitment to animals, and my (then-vegetarian) family eventually transitioned to a fully vegan diet too.

We started educating ourselves together on the realities of the industries that exploit animals. Today, we’re a fully vegan household.

vegan advocacy

8) What advice would you give to individuals who are considering transitioning to a vegan lifestyle but are unsure where to start?

Don’t stress. And thank you for choosing to align your actions with your values—it really matters.

Start by checking food labels—you’ll be amazed at how much animal exploitation is hidden there. Look at your closet, your furniture… it can be surprising.

It may seem overwhelming, but it’s actually quite simple. Be gentle with yourself. Do what’s possible and accessible for you right now. And if it’s not possible, find a way. Ask a friend, explore vegan subreddits, or watch some how-to videos on your favorite platform.

Vegans are super creative in the kitchen—and awesome too, hehe!

Also, your nutrition will likely improve. Educate yourself about nutrients, vitamins, and plant-based protein. Tofu, tempeh, and legumes are your friends!

If you notice changes in your body, it just means your system is adjusting to this new, loving, and healthy fuel. Give it time and grace. 😉

Thank You, Estefy!

A huge thank you to Estefy for sharing her story, vision, and contagious passion with us. Her vibrant energy and commitment to spreading a message of love and awareness are truly inspiring.

If you’re curious to explore her “vegan multiverse,” make sure to follow her on social media for creative content, thought-provoking reflections, and plenty of authenticity:
👉 Instagram & TikTok: @estefyhengja
👉 YouTube: @estefyhengja

Thank you, Estefy, for taking the time to talk with us and for reminding everyone that real change starts with the heart. 💚