A man once voted Italy's most handsome has quit his modeling job to join the priesthood.
Edoardo Santini, 21, was named Italy's most beautiful man in 2019, when he was 17, in a pageant organized by ABE, a fashion group.
But after a lifetime of studying drama and dance to achieve his dream of becoming a star, he said on social media on Saturday that he would give up his career because of his faith.
“At 21, I am on my way to becoming a priest, God willing,” said Edoardo, who claimed he had joined a seminary near Florence.
“I have decided to give up modelling, acting and dancing, but I will not give up all my passions, I will just live them differently and dedicate them to God,” said the Castel Fiorentino resident.
“At 21, I am on my way to becoming a priest, God willing,” Edoardo said after entering a seminary near Florence
Edoardo, 21, was named Italy's most handsome four years ago and has given up his dreams of fame to train as a priest
Santini said he will not regret the decision “because now I can shout: I am Edoardo, I am 21 years old and I am happy.”
Speaking to his social media followers, the rising star explained: 'I have had the opportunity to meet some young people who… have given me the strength to explore this question that has been with me since childhood carry with me, but those various fears prevented me from exploring further.
'In recent years I have met wonderful people who have given me so much and allowed me to experience art. I will not give up everything, because my passions are part of me, but I will live and reimagine them in different contexts.'
He said that last year he went to live with two priests, 'the most beautiful experience of his life', which inspired his faith.
He then studied theology and worked in two parishes of the Florentine diocese, concluding that although it “terrified” him to give up his dream of becoming a priest, he was certain that he would not would regret the decision 'because now I can shout: I am Edoardo, I am 21 years old and I am happy'.
In a video which he shared on his Instagram page last week, he shared a video of himself appearing to pray in a church, with the caption: “I got back on my path.”
He also updated his profile bio to 'I'm a Christian, priest wannabe'.
Edoardo was honored with his title after participating in the 40th edition of the national beauty pageant Il Bello d'Italia in Avellino in 2019.
Actors Giorgio Mastrota and Gabriel Garko are among the famous faces who found early success in the competition.
He said at the time the 'emotion was enormous', but he also dreamed of becoming an actor.
“Unfortunately, there is never enough time for all the activities I would like to do,” he said in an interview with First Model and Actor.
Edoardo has about 7,000 followers on Instagram, where he rarely posts photos of himself during modeling shoots and on vacation.
On Instagram, Edoardo shared a video saying he was quitting modeling to join the priesthood
Edoardo in a holiday photo shared on Instagram, where he said he was a 'priest wannabe'
“I will not abandon everything, because my passions are part of me, but I will live them and reimagine them in different contexts,” the young star wrote on Instagram
“Last year I took a step,” Edoardo wrote on social media, accompanying a video of him in a church with the caption “I got back on my path.”