Co-Founder of E.L.F. Cosmetics, Scott Borba, Leaves Luxury Living to Pursue Priesthood

From Glamour to Service: The Transformation of Scott Vincent Borba

Scott Vincent Borba, one of the co-founders of Elf Cosmetics, made a dramatic shift from a life of wealth and celebrity to embrace the priesthood.

Once mingling with Hollywood’s elite, Borba decided to devote himself to spiritual service. Now, he lives a modest existence as a deacon at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, which stands in stark contrast to his previous glamorous life, as reported by ABC News.

“We were rubbing shoulders with stars like Paris Hilton and enjoying wild parties with the Kardashians,” Borba shared in an interview with ABC News.

“I was the embodiment of luxury and pride. Humility? Not really a part of my life back then,” he admitted.

Now, he resides in a small, simple room filled with very little—after donating his wealth to various charities, he reflects, “It’s sparse; there’s nothing much here.”

“A few clothes, a couple of shoes—my life has really been reduced to the essentials,” he adds.

Borba is set to be ordained by the Diocese of Fresno on May 23 in Visalia.

He recalls having first felt a pull toward religious life at just 10 years old, but it wasn’t until later that he decided to heed that call.

Despite achieving great success and accumulating a considerable fortune, he found himself feeling unfulfilled.

“I asked the Lord to help me discover the person He intended for me to be,” he expressed.

Reflecting on a pivotal moment, he recalls a party where he felt particularly lost. “I was at a gathering, but deep inside, I felt so unhappy,” he said. “It left me feeling utterly empty, worn out, like I was burning the candle at both ends.”

In search of clarity, he prayed, saying, “God, is this really what life is about—just working, partying, and repeating it until death? This doesn’t seem like the life you envisioned for me. But I can only transform if you guide me.”

Eventually, Borba began to reshape his life. Initially, he thought letting go meant just selling his Aston Martin convertible. “I figured I’d sell the car, donate the proceeds, and buy a truck instead,” he recounted, acknowledging that this was just the beginning of a bigger commitment.