Celebrities and pet pigs....Where are they now?

Pigs are the new cats?
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Uh, no they're not!! When a cute little piglet post is made by a celebrity or someone with some buying influence, I post 3 links. The "teacup" and "micro" myth, PLEASE read before you get a pig, and one of our blogs, what having a pet pig is REALLY like. Hopefully, it resonates....
http://www.minipiginfo.com/teacupmicro-pig-myth
http://www.minipiginfo.com/about-mini-pigs-including-breeds
http://www.minipiginfo.com/please-read-before-you-get-a-pig
http://www.minipiginfo.com/dear-pig-whisperers-blog/what-is-it-really-like-to-have-a-pig-as-a-pet

Far too many times, we see celebrities flaunting their pet pigs and creating quite a ruckus with soooooooo many "OMG, I want a teacup pig!" comments, it literally makes us sick. So where are these pigs now? As always, pigs grieve when they need to be rehomed whether that be they got bigger than expected, the novelty wears off, you don't have the time, you got pregnant, etc. Without proper education, this will likely be the case. You have to know how to care for a pig in order for it to work.There was even talk that piglets were being given away during one of the Golden Globe awards shows (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/Golden-Globes-follow-Posh-lead-and-give-away-mini-pigs)...wow. Pigs are used in cartoons, movies, TV shows and even commercials. No wonder everyone wants a pig....

Untrained pigs often get into trouble, sometimes this leads to them being sent elsewhere to live. Pigs don't know something until you teach them.

Comedian John Bishop has adopted a rescued pig after his wife “fell in love” with the animal when she watched an RSPCA rehoming video. Thats AWESOME! I can't think of a better way for a family to add a pig to "the herd". Milo continues to enjoy his new home!! http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebrity-news/john-bishop-adopts-rescued-pig

Picture from 2014 when Milo was adopted

Picture from July 2015 with Milo enjoying his new home

Introducing Dom Joly and Wilbur the pig. Wilbur lives here on my farm in Brockhampton. He moved from Cheltenham where he lived, with a very nice family, in a pink Wendy house in the back garden. When he got to six months old, he announced – in no uncertain terms – that he had outgrown the place: it was basically Babe in the City. Wilbur has two main hangouts here on the farm: his own residence, which is an old room with windows, a fireplace and a little run; and the main house, which he comes into for four or five hours a day. He’s really sociable. He loves to hang out with the dogs – can’t say the dogs feel the same, but I don’t think he lets that bother him.
http://www.cotswoldlife.co.uk/pets/dom_joly_pet_pig_wilbur

"Wilbur snoozing by the aga" posted to Instagram 01/2015

Picture from article dated 11/2015

"It's good to be king" posted 04/2016 to Mr. Joly's Facebook page.

Dom and Wilbur

One of the most famous pet pigs was Max, George Clooney's pig. Max lived to be 18 years old.
Max not only had a good beginning, he led a life of comfort and privilege befitting a Hollywood pet. George and Max have been described as "inseparable" by the celebrity press - which is surely just porkies. But Max was often seen rooting around on set while Clooney was filming and was allowed in the mega-star's bedroom. Max has been blamed for bringing at least two of Clooney's relationships to an end (the model Celine Balitran apparently got the wrong answer when she issued an "It's me or the pig" ultimatum). Clooney even took Max on a trip in John Travolta's private jet. Rest in paradise sweet angel Max....
A tribute to Max: http://www.theguardian.com/dec/06/georgeclooney 

Jillian Michaels was accused of using her pet pig as a fashion accessory. A post to Facebook in November 2014 "Dear Santa - a.k.a. Heidi Rhoades All I want for Christmas is a rescue pig. And some foster bees. But that's all. I swear. Oh... and maybe some fencing lessons. But really that's it. Can't I have one. PLEASE!!!!" She must have been a good girl!! Stella has lived for Jillian for a little more than a year. http://www.starwipe.com/article/jillian-michaels-has-pet-pig

Jillian taking Stella out for a stroll.

Stella, the pig, enjoying her life with mom, Jillian Michaels.

Mario Balotelli has raided the piggy bank and introduced the newest member of his family to fans. With his latest amusing purchase, the Italy international has surprised us all yet again with his odd lifestyle choices and bought a pet PIG! Posting a picture on Twitter, Balotelli told his 1.1million followers: 'Finally my little pig arrived! She is only 2 month old! Is a she but i called her SUPER!'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/star-Mario-Balotelli-buys-new-pet-PIG-calls-Super.html
In 2014, he was upset when his pet pig was denied entry into the UK, red tape is keeping the pig from being allowed to move from Italy to England: "Government rules mean to get the black-spotted animal here he must first register as a breeder, then get a certificate of health from an Italian vet before she is allowed to fly."

​Still no word about the reunion....no additional pictures have been publicly posted. 

Announced 2013

Tori Spelling and her daughter and pet pig, Hank. Picture from People pets 07/2011. http://www.peoplepets.com/people/pets
A Quote from her reality show....
​"You might have noticed that our backyard farm has grown since last week. We welcomed Hank the pig to our family and our baby blackbird hatched. Hank looks so small on screen. We were told he’d be 25 pounds full grown. Well, he’s now over 100! But we love the guy."

Last that I could find, Hank was sent to a farm where he could "be a pig" a while back.

Hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen has had to put his pet pig out to pasture after the animal became too porky. "Romeo was purchased by Stevie Cohen as a piglet, but he grew to be over 150 pounds. Romeo is actually a very domesticated, intelligent and affectionate pig, but recently he started to get a little moody. The family got advice from a vet that Romeo would be better in the company of other animals, so Steve arranged for him to go to a farm to be with other pigs," a source told the Post. Ultimately,  the pampered pig got too big for the 35,000-square-foot mansion after his weight grew to 150 pounds. After having this pig as a valued family member for FIVE years, Romeo was sent to a rescue in Florida by private jet. Yeah, that doesn't make you a responsible pet pig owner. This is not his pig, I am not able to locate a picture of his actual pig, but used the picture referenced in the news article instead. 
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/Hedge-fund-billionaire-forced-send-150--walking-piece-art-pet-pig-farm-fat-family-mansion-despite-having-room.htm
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http://dealbreaker.com/2015/06/steve-cohen-evicts-beloved-pet-pig-that-had-been-living-in-his-house-like-a-member-of-the-family-but-dont-worry-there-was-a-going-away-party/

Denise Richards posts about her pig quite often. In 2008, she already had 2 pigs named Charlotte and Bert, but added a 3rd during the season of her reality tv show. This picture was taken after the show aired, but more than 2 years ago....no more pig pics since which isn't a surprise given the problems she and her ex, Charlie Sheen, are having. (via online news)

​She ended up breeding her pigs and eventually? You guessed it, dumped them at a pig rescue. 

A prized pig owned by Princess Anne was tragically killed by a wild boar after he broke into the pen at her home.The attack came just hours after another wild boar caused an accident which killed a man on the M4, 15 miles away. Anne’s beloved Gloucestershire Old Spot was killed on Tuesday night at her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. Rest in peace sweet girl.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/Princess-Anne-Gloucestershire-Old-Spot-pig-savaged-death-wild-boar-broke-pen

Who can forget Honey BooBoo's pig? Glitzy was returned shortly after arriving. 

Glitzy, now a pig from TV, is still in the spotlight, of course.

Paris Hilton's "Royal Dandie" guaranteed to weigh no more than 25lbs. haha, yeah right. People with millions of dollars at their disposal can't purchase a "teacup" or "micro" pig. This should tell you something. Thankfully, as of 2016 sources, she has kept her big pig despite outgrowing these ridiculously misrepresented sizes. And guess what? She can afford to not care what anyone has to say about her pig, Princess Piggelette.

picture taken in 2010

Picture taken only a year later in 2011

Did you know Rupert Grint, Ron Weasley of the Harry Potter series, also has a pet pig?
Buying into trends has its consequences, as Harry Potter star Rupert Grint would know. In the midst of the U.K.’s teacup pig craze, Grint bought a pair of the tiny porkers, which can sell for up to $1,100. However, there was a rumor that Grint was actually ripped off and bought a normal pig instead. In response to the controversy, the actor told NBC in 2010 that the pig was getting “kind of big now. We’ve got him living outside now.” When asked if his pet species of choice is really the most intelligent, Grint replied, “I haven’t really seen proof of that yet.” He named them Stanley and Oscar...sadly, Oscar passed away in 2010. Run free sweet baby. 

​Sorry Rupert, you got exactly what you paid for...a pig. 

Reese Witherspoon was caught piglet shopping....There is no word on whether or not she actually purchased one though. It's been rumored that she did buy two piglets, but I am not able to find proof of that. 

In 2010, Joey King visited The Tonight Show with Jay Leno this week and received quite a surprise. Joey revealed that she’s wanted a little pig for a while and Jay surprised her with one! Afterward, she tweeted: I LOVE @jayleno !!!!! I am the luckiest little girl in the whole WORLD! (i’m talking the WHOLE world!) She even named her pig “JayJay” after Jay Leno. Last post about Jay the pig was back in 2012....

Piglets are exciting, especially for an 11 year old girl.

2012 was the last post about JayJay the pig on Joey's Twitter page.

Megan Fox gave her pig away in 2012 when he became sexually aggressive. A neuter probably would've worked, but, it is so much easier to just give him away versus doing the right thing.

http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/Megan-Fox-gave-away-sexually-aggressive-pet-pig

Miley Cyrus is another high profile person with a pet pig. She was caught snuggling up with a piglet in August 2014. She isn't known for being reliable, but it appears that her pig, Bubba Sue, has been a turning point for Miley. In 2015, she posed naked with her pig for a magazine cover pictured below. I believe, based on some of the news stories, she is learning very quick how difficult it really is to care for our porcine companions. 

Here she discusses her Bubba Sue, now renamed "pig pig" on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
​https://www.yahoo.com/tv/miley-cyrus-pet-pig-whats-stranger-than-a-pig

August 2014

July 2015

March 2016

Kevin Schmidt from the "Young and Restless" makes regular posts about their piggy friend, Yuma. He added Yuma to his family sometime in early 2012. His brother Kendall has taken a likin' to Yuma as well; often posing with the photogenic porcine playmate.
http://bigtimerush.wikia.com/wiki/Yuma

Kevin and Ian Ziering walking their pets together in Hollywood

Yuma has really grown....

Ruby Rose has posted some hilarious social media photos of her hanging out with Hazel, the little black and white pig she owns with her fiance Phoebe Dahl since early 2014. Hazel the pig has her own Instagram account too. In October 2015, there was a story done on this couple regarding dinner party they had in L.A. with pigs roaming the lawn...That's a good sign! However, it looks as if this power couple split in 12/2015 and Hazel may be living elsewhere....
http://www.elle.com/culture/travel-food/welcome-to-the-dahl-house

Read more: ruby-roses-pet-pig-is-hogging-the-limelight-in-LA/story

Hazel The Pig and Millie's IG account: ​https://www.instagram.com/hazelthepig_and_millie
Prior IG ​https://www.instagram.com/hazelthepig

It looks as if Hazel the pig got a sister, Millie...but it also appears as if they are now living elsewhere.

At his mountainside estate in Hawaii, Mick Fleetwood could be mistaken for an eccentric country gentleman, spending quality time with his pet pig, Tilly. Mick Fleetwood is part of the classic rock band, Fleetwood Mac (for those who don't know) In 2012, a story was done and in it reveals he has a pet pig. "Off to one side, a fenced pen with a tasteful wooden shed houses Tilly, an 18-month-old black-and-white potbellied pig that is blissfully excited by the sudden arrival of guests." 

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mick-fleetwood-plays-on

David Beckham's wife, Victoria bought him a pair of pigs for Christmas 2009. The couple named them after close family friends, David Furnish and Elton John. They were "micro pigs". haha
​No pictures of the pigs could be found though. There was once a video online, but it appears as if even that has been removed....

The latest addition to the Pataky-Hemsworth household is a piglet named Tina. In March 2016, Elsa Pataky - the wife of hunky Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth - introduced the newest member of the family in a sweet Instagram post.In the endearing picture, the mother-of-three is seen cradling the sleeping piglet in her arms.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3497180/Elsa-Pataky-gets-pet-piglet-names-Tina.html

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Thankfully for us in the pig community, we have a HUGE presence with Esther the wonder pig and Esther's Army to help the world learn more about pigs.

Movies are no better. There are little piglets, as well as big pigs featured in many movies furthering the "I want a teacup pig" trend. ​

Uptown Girls starring the late Brittany Murphy

National Lampoons Europeon Vacation started off with the Griswalds being "pigs".

Magic Mike featured "Henry the pig" in a few segments.

Winner of the “Special Jury Prize,” “The Lobster” is a deadpan sci-fi comedy-drama set in a world in which lonely people are turned into animals if they’re unable to find a partner within 45 days

Albert from College Road Trip

"Mr. Pig" was reviewed at the Sundance Movie Festival in January of 2016. This movie is about  75-year-old Ambrose (Danny Glover) hiding several things from his daughter on a road trip — at least the fact that he’s losing his hog farm to the bank.

2010’s The Spy Next Door briefly features a potbellied companion.

"Sweaty Betty" 2016 First-time filmmakers Joseph Frank and Zachary Reed tap into a strong sense of place as they follow two sets of characters around the streets, stores and row houses of Prince George's County, Maryland, on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. in this documentary type movie about a 1000lb pig and a pitbull.

How I met your mother, season 6, episode 16 titled "Hooked" featured Carrie Underwood...and a piglet.

Shirley Temple was even pictured with pigs....

The Boost Mobile “Unwronged” pig advertisement. 

It doesn't even have to be a movie when models are carrying them down the runways. Piglets & models on catwalk for Korhani Home at Toronto Fashion Week.

Lets not forget, Miss Piggy from the Muppets, Piglet from Winnie the pooh, Porky pig, Peppa Pig, The Lion King Movie, The Barnyard Movie, Chicken Little Movie, Home on the Range movie, Babe, Gordy, Pig's Day Out, Green Acres, Spider Pig from the Simpsons, Maxwell from the insurance commercials, Wilbur from Charlottes Web (and they used 47 piglets to play Wilbur in this movie...a little movie trivia you may not have known), Okkoto, leader of the boars, from Princess Mononoke, George, from the Movie, My brother, the pig, Scruffy from the TV show, Full House, Little Cory from the show Boy meets world....so many pigs featured, there's too many to list! Some are shown in a favorable manner, some are not, but ALL are pigs that we have come to know and love. As long as people keep glamorizing pigs, the hype will continue. If small is what you're going for, you definitely do NOT need a pet pig. Perhaps a guinea pig would be better suited for you? 

I am all about pigs as pets, but ONLY for educated and prepared families. Please do your research before running out and getting a pig. Do not let movies and commercials fool you, pigs are NOT easy to take care of all the time.