Lucy Hale joins World Food Programme as UN ambassador

Lucy Hale says she feels “very grateful” for her “very, very humble upbringing” as she takes on a new global humanitarian role with the World Food Programme (WFP).

The Pretty Little Liars star, 36, has been appointed as the newest Global UN Goodwill Ambassador for the WFP, a position she says connects deeply with her family background and long-standing values.

“My dad is a farmer, my mom is a nurse, and I feel really passionate about women and children,” Hale told People in an exclusive interview. 

“I’ve been an actress for going on two decades, and I love what I do, but I’ve always had a dream of helping in a bigger way.”

Hale, who grew up in Tennessee alongside her older sister Maggie, said her father’s work in agriculture gave her a lasting appreciation for farming and the effort behind food production.

“He’s on his tractor, he’s out there doing the manual labor,” she said. “Seeing how much work goes into that all year for a good crop, it’s really incredible.”

Although her father became a full-time farmer after Hale had already moved to Los Angeles, she said she has still remained closely connected to his work and often helps out when visiting family.

“I feel very grateful that I come from a very, very humble upbringing,” she added, describing her parents as “very hardworking.”

Now, through her role with the WFP, Hale hopes to spotlight global food insecurity and the importance of sustainable farming practices. 

She emphasized that access to food is directly tied to a nation’s ability to grow and thrive.

“If countries and nations are starving, they can’t thrive,” she said. “It’s not only giving food to people in need, but also teaching them how to thrive on their own, learning to farm their own food.”

Hale said the opportunity marks a meaningful shift in her life and aligns with a growing desire to contribute beyond her acting career.

“I’m 36 now, and the last couple of years I’ve just felt called to something bigger than myself,” she said. “It’s the honor of a lifetime. I hope this becomes a long and lasting partnership.”