New York: American television personality Wendy Williams has greeted holiday shoppers with a sexy
appeal to cross fur off their lists as she unveiled her "Rather Go Naked
Than Wear Fur" ad in Times Square to launch PETA's national winter
campaign. The campaign includes two versions of Williams' ad, in which she is
covered by nothing but long, flowing hair.
"We should all try to be comfortable in our own skin
and let the animals keep theirs," says Williams, who once wore real mink
and fox but had a change of heart after learning how animals are electrocuted,
beaten, and even skinned alive for their fur.
In addition to her ad, Williams will encourage her viewers
to donate their fur coats to PETA so that they can be given to the homeless.
PETA is working with shelters in Williams' home state of New Jersey on their
coat drives this winter, which have seen greater demand as the numbers of the
needy and displaced have increased after Hurricane Sandy.
Williams joins a growing list of stars—including Eva Mendes,
Christy Turlington, and Taraji P. Henson—who have renounced fur and then
volunteered to appear in PETA's iconic naked campaign.