Beauty Brand Millionaire Becomes Catholic Priest, Credits Mary’s Intercession

California, May 9, 2026: Deacon Scott Borba, co-founder of e.l.f Cosmetics and a former figure in the beauty and entertainment industry, is set to be ordained a priest for the Diocese of Fresno, California, on May 23, 2026.

According to reports by ChurchPOP and Angelus News, Borba left behind a multimillion-pound career after discerning a call to the priesthood that he says began in childhood. Before entering seminary, he worked for more than two decades in the health and beauty industry as an esthetician, entrepreneur, actor, model, author and singer.

Speaking about his vocation journey, Borba shared that he felt called to the priesthood at the age of 10, though he “accepted late.” He also credited the prayers and intercession of the Blessed Mother for helping him respond to that call.

“I know that our Blessed Mother has brought me into this vocation because of her love for her son,” he told Angelus News. “I have never been happier. I have never been more full of joy.”

In a 2019 interview with YourCentralValley.com, Borba reflected on his former lifestyle and spiritual turning point. “God has blessed me with everything under the sun,” he said, adding that he once prayed for the opportunity to pursue multiple ambitions and believed God answered “yes.”

“He not only blessed me with money and awareness, and just every business I had, he allowed me to have success with it,” Borba said. “Then I decided, you know, what is wrong with me? I was vapid. I had a perverse life.”

Recalling his years in Los Angeles, Borba said, “I went to LA, I got sucked into the Hollywood lifestyle. It was almost to a point where I was trying to sell my soul.”

“I was living for myself. I was idolising myself,” he continued. “I was idolising everything else out there that was luxury. I was a poster boy for luxury.”

Borba also shared that his family had prayed for his conversion for many years, while numerous people encouraged him to consider the priesthood. He remembered a childhood encounter during Mass when his mother pointed towards the altar and asked if he wanted to become “the man in the robes.”

“Whoever the priest was, his robes at that moment were shimmering like glitter,” Borba recalled. “And I knew God was placing on my heart to become a priest.”

He eventually came to realise, he said, that worldly success is “not where we’re supposed to be. We’re supposed to be living for Heaven.”

Sources: ChurchPOP, Angelus News, YourCentralValley.com