Edyn Mackney from Gold Coast finalist in Peta’s Hottest Vegan Competition

A GOLD Coast woman has been named a finalist in Peta’s Hottest Vegan competition three years after sensationally quitting the modelling industry.

Edyn Mackney, a local star from Love Island has been named a finalist of Peta's Hottest Vegan. Edyn Mackney with her Fox Terrier at Surfers Paradise. Picture Glenn Hampson

A GOLD Coast woman has been named a finalist in PETA’s Hottest Vegan competition three years after sensationally quitting 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 across Australia and is run under the umbrella of animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Edyn Mackney, a local star from Love Island has been named a finalist of Peta's Hottest Vegan. Edyn Mackney with her Fox Terrier at Surfers Paradise. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Love Island star said she became vegan “overnight’’ four years ago after watching a documentary about slaughterhouses.

But the switch to vegan not only changed her outlook on animal agriculture, but also to her own health.

NEVER MISS A MINUTE WITH THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN APP

Edyn Mackney says she was under pressure to lose weight constantly as a model. Picture Glenn Hampson

“When I was 15 I was scouted and was a full-time model throughout high school,” she said.

“It’s a lot of pressure. My agency constantly told me to lose weight. It was very intense. So I ended up quitting and made a YouTube video about (it).”

At the time, Ms Mackney was a size-8 model.

Her YouTube video, titled “Why I hate the modelling industry’’, has since received more than 1.7 million views.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR 50C A DAY

In it, she spruiks the health benefits of becoming vegan.

Ms Mackney said the lifestyle change flipped her view on eating.

“Before 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, in which she even prepared vegan meals for fellow contestants.