“The most handsome man in Italy” left the modeling business to become a priest (11 photos + 1 video)
In 2019, 17-year-old Edoardo Santini won the Il Bello d'Italia beauty contest among fashion models. Then the guy studied acting and dancing for several years in order to become a star in the modeling business and get closer to his dream of an acting career. And suddenly - unexpectedly - he announced that he had decided to become a priest and had already entered the seminary. 
Edoardo said on social media on Saturday that he would give up a career in show business for the sake of his faith. 
“At 21, I am on my way to becoming a priest, God willing. 
"I have decided to give up modeling, acting and dancing, but I will not give up all my hobbies, I will just live differently, giving them to God." 
Santini said he doesn't regret the decision because now he can shout: "I'm Edoardo, I'm 21 and I'm happy." 
Addressing his social media followers, Edoardo explained: “At 21, my father decided to marry my mother because she was pregnant, and my mother became a mother at 21. I, at the age of 21, took the path of faith in order, with God’s help, to become a priest. Over the years I have met people who have shown me what it means to be “church.” 
“They gave me the strength to explore this question that I had carried with me since childhood, but various fears prevented me from exploring it on a deeper level. Last year I took the first step,” he added.
Edoardo says his visit to the two priests was the best experience of his life.
“At the end of the year, I naturally asked the bishop to accept me for the preparatory course - the year of study that precedes life in the seminary. And here I am, studying theology and serving in two parishes of the Florence diocese.”
Now, he says, he has "thrown away his work as a model and a dancer" in favor of a new world in which he has met "wonderful people with pure hearts" to whom he owes much, who have allowed him to grow.
Edoardo said that he will continue to follow his new path, despite anyone's criticism.
“Of course, there are people who talk behind my back. There are those who have no problem telling me that I am a disappointment, even in my family. But there are also those who support me, both believers and non-believers.”
“I’m back on track,” Edoardo assures.
