Air hostess, Laura D’amore from Catania, Italy, decided to apply for the job a few years after graduating from university. Almost 13 years later, the 37-year-old claims to be ‘the most followed air hostess in the world’ with an impressive 666,000 fans on Instagram alone.

It’s not something Laura expected. She began posting photos online of her glamorous work look and stunning off-duty attire – and brands and companies began to take notice. Laura travels on several routes across Europe and is regularly recognised by fans, with a disproportionate amount of them being men.

“At work, there is constant professionalism, but being a beautiful girl means it’s inevitable that you’ll receive attention from men,” Laura said.

“Some people I encounter at work say I look even better face-to-face than I do on Instagram.

“Both customers and followers are very respectful and polite but when they’re not, I immediately block them.”

Laura said that since growing her Instagram profile, she has been accused by followers that she “photoshops” her images.

“I’ve had DMs where people have asked me if I’ve photoshopped my pictures because they can’t believe that I look like that,” she said.

“Other men have said that I’m a bad person because I didn’t respond to them, but I have a boyfriend. He’s proud of what I’ve achieved so I don’t think he minds the situation too much.

“I didn’t always know that this is what I would do. I worked abroad for several years as a teacher before returning to Italy and that’s when I decided to hand in my application to be an air hostess.

“I’ve now been an air hostess for 13 years. I’ve been recognised at work but I approach my job with love and consistency so sometimes I forget about all of the online attention.”

And while she loves her job, Laura will soon be on the silver screen.

“I love constantly waking up in a new city. I’m away from home for a long time which can be hard but I get to meet new people and travel a lot,” Laura said.

“I’ve been able to receive so many incredible opportunities and soon – thanks to my manager Cristian Nardi – I’m going to venture into the world of entertainment.

“I’m starring in a new action/science-fiction film that is being filmed completely in Italy.

“My role as an air hostess has meant that I’ve also become an influencer. Being an air hostess is a job that challenges you to be both dynamic and enterprising and I love the constant evolution.”