ANIMAL MAGNETISM: EDYN IS ONE HOT VEGAN
A GOLD Coast woman has been named a finalist in PETA’s Hottest Vegan competition three years after she sensationally quit the modelling industry.
Edyn Mackney of Robina has been named one of four finalists in the annual contest, which finds the most “radiant, compassionate’’ vegans from Australia and is run by animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The Love Island star said she became vegan “overnight’’ four years ago after watching a documentary about slaughterhouses. The switch not only changed her outlook on animal agriculture, but also her health.
“When I was 15 I was scouted and was a full-time model during high school,” she said. “It’s a lot of pressure. My agency constantly told me to lose weight. It was intense. I ended up quitting and made a YouTube video about it.”
At the time, Ms Mackney was a size-8. Her YouTube video, “Why I hate the modelling industry’’, has had more than 1.7 million views.
Ms Mackney said the lifestyle change flipped her view on eating.
“Before that I was always looking at food as a way to lose weight, it wasn’t about fuelling my body with the right things,” she said.
Ms Mackney has since starred in reality TV show, Love Island, during which she prepared vegan meals for fellow contestants.