Belinda Carlisle Reflects on Posing Nude for PETA, 34 Years After Her 'I'd Rather Go Naked' Campaign (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Belinda Carlisle.Photo:Nick Spanos

Nick Spanos

Belinda Carlisle may have earned fame as the lead vocalist ofThe Go-Go’sand as a prolific solo artist, but she’s also cemented her legacy as an animal advocate.In 1990, she and her Go-Go’s bandmatesGina Schock, Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin, and Charlotte Caffey were “the very first” to star inPETA’s groundbreaking “I’d Rather Go Naked” anti-fur campaign.“I’ve always had pets, I’ve always loved animals,” Carlisle, 66, tells PEOPLE over the phone from her home in Mexico City. “I’ve been an animal advocate for the past 40 years. That’s just the way that I’ve always been.“The Go-Go’s PETA campaign in 1990.PETABut in 2014, the “Vacation” musician decided to pour her passion for animals into something more tangible. After she traveled to India and witnessed many animals living on the street, she thought, “Well, I’ve been of service in the States to animals most of my life, and there’s a lack of animal services here, so why not do something?“That’s when she co-foundedAnimal People Alliance(APA). This nonprofit provides care to street animals in India and Thailand and jobs with living wages to vulnerable people to improve their quality of life.“Since then, we’ve treated 90,000 animals,” Carlisle says.But the “Circle in the Sand” performer’s love of animals harkens back to her pug Pierre, who died 15 years ago. “I had a pug named Pierre who taught me everything,” Carlisle says. “Not everything I know, but he taught me a lot.“Currently, Carlisle has no pets to call her own since she’s been traveling so much. “The animals I have are in India,” she explains. “I just love them from afar because I can’t do it right now.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Belinda Carlisle and her dog Pierre.Belinda Carlisle/InstagramCurrently, the “I Get Weak” performer is focused on her Animal People Alliance fundraiser Christmas celebration, which will take place Thursday, Dec. 12, at The Abbey Food & Bar in West Hollywood, Calif.During the event, Carlisle is set to perform, while Sandra Bernhard will guest host. Special guests include singer/songwriter Taylor Dayne andRuPaul’s Drag Racejudge Michelle Visage.Tickets are available for purchasehereandhere, and 100 percent of ticket sales will go to the APA.For more on Belinda Carlisle, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.

Belinda Carlisle may have earned fame as the lead vocalist ofThe Go-Go’sand as a prolific solo artist, but she’s also cemented her legacy as an animal advocate.

In 1990, she and her Go-Go’s bandmatesGina Schock, Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin, and Charlotte Caffey were “the very first” to star inPETA’s groundbreaking “I’d Rather Go Naked” anti-fur campaign.

“I’ve always had pets, I’ve always loved animals,” Carlisle, 66, tells PEOPLE over the phone from her home in Mexico City. “I’ve been an animal advocate for the past 40 years. That’s just the way that I’ve always been.”

The Go-Go’s PETA campaign in 1990.PETA

PETA

But in 2014, the “Vacation” musician decided to pour her passion for animals into something more tangible. After she traveled to India and witnessed many animals living on the street, she thought, “Well, I’ve been of service in the States to animals most of my life, and there’s a lack of animal services here, so why not do something?”

That’s when she co-foundedAnimal People Alliance(APA). This nonprofit provides care to street animals in India and Thailand and jobs with living wages to vulnerable people to improve their quality of life.

“Since then, we’ve treated 90,000 animals,” Carlisle says.

But the “Circle in the Sand” performer’s love of animals harkens back to her pug Pierre, who died 15 years ago. “I had a pug named Pierre who taught me everything,” Carlisle says. “Not everything I know, but he taught me a lot.”

Currently, Carlisle has no pets to call her own since she’s been traveling so much. “The animals I have are in India,” she explains. “I just love them from afar because I can’t do it right now.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Belinda Carlisle and her dog Pierre.Belinda Carlisle/Instagram

Belinda Carlisle/Instagram

Currently, the “I Get Weak” performer is focused on her Animal People Alliance fundraiser Christmas celebration, which will take place Thursday, Dec. 12, at The Abbey Food & Bar in West Hollywood, Calif.

During the event, Carlisle is set to perform, while Sandra Bernhard will guest host. Special guests include singer/songwriter Taylor Dayne andRuPaul’s Drag Racejudge Michelle Visage.

Tickets are available for purchasehereandhere, and 100 percent of ticket sales will go to the APA.

For more on Belinda Carlisle, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.

source: people.com