For Courtney Scherer, modeling wasn’t the dream, at least not at first. Growing up on the island of O‘ahu, she was more focused on fantasy novels than fashion, more Hermione Granger than haute couture. But fate had other plans, and it all started with a subway ride in Seoul.
“I was visiting my family in South Korea the summer after freshman year of high school,” Scherer recalls. “I was scouted in the subway by SM Entertainment, one of the biggest agencies in the country. They wanted me to become a K-pop star.”
At 15, fresh out of braces and finally wearing contacts, Scherer auditioned in front of agency executives, dancing to Britney Spears’ Toxic and singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow, popularized in Hawai‘i by Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole, also known as Brother IZ. The executives were sold. They offered her a contract on the spot, contingent upon her dropping out of high school and moving to South Korea full-time to join pop star bootcamp.
“My mom said absolutely not,” Scherer says. “She told me, ‘I didn’t move to America so you could drop out of school and dance on a stage with no guarantees.’ I was devastated at the time, but now I’m so grateful. K-pop artists have it rough—they don’t make much money, and they don’t have rights or protections.”
Instead, her mother made a compromise. When they returned to Hawai‘i, she signed Courtney up with a local modeling agency. That decision marked the beginning of what would become a two-decade career that took her across the globe.
From that unexpected start, Scherer embarked on a journey that led her to live and work in fashion hubs such as Los Angeles, New York, and even overseas in Japan and Bali. Eventually, love brought her home—or close to it. Today, she lives on the Big Island with her husband, embracing a slower pace while reflecting on the whirlwind world of modeling.
When asked about her favorite modeling memories, Courtney doesn’t mention glamorous fashion shows or high-profile campaigns first. Instead, she discusses the human connections—and the lessons they impart.
“I think what I appreciate most is the opportunity to travel and meet people from all walks of life,” she says. “Modeling puts you in unpredictable situations constantly. That forced me to adapt, to grow, and ultimately, to build my confidence.”
Scherer also learned early on that in the world of modeling, beauty alone doesn’t cut it. While she was living in Los Angeles and New York, she would walk into a room of 100 models, all applying for the same job.
“You had to be more than a pretty face; you had to stand out,” she shares. “My way of making a good impression on the clients was to make them laugh. You only have about a couple of minutes, and I would come in super happy and make jokes. On the day of the shoot, they are looking for someone with a good attitude. There’s a lot of money and time going into production, so it needs to go smoothly. You can’t be a diva or rude to all the people there doing their jobs, from makeup artists to light assistants. My booking rate was quite high because the same clients would book me over and over again because of my attitude on set; I’d be professional but also fun.”
That mindset extended into her skincare and beauty philosophy as well, and now Scherer shares her insights with women looking to elevate their own routines so that they can glow from the inside out.
If she could only give one skincare tip? Scherer doesn’t hesitate: “Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen!” But that’s just the start. She’s a big believer in nourishing the skin from within—advice deeply rooted in her Korean heritage.
“In Korean culture, we’re taught to eat and drink for our skin,” she says. “Bone broth, ox tail soup, collagen-rich foods—they’re all a big part of the beauty routine.”
Hydration, both internal and external, is a recurring theme. She also credits working out and regular sweating as key to maintaining her clear and vibrant complexion. “I sauna at least three times a week and have recently implemented red light therapy,” she says, which makes a difference.
Years of working with world-renowned makeup artists taught Courtney a golden rule: proper skin prep is non-negotiable.
“Skin prep is everything. How you apply your skincare and what you use before applying makeup make all the difference. Cleanse, tone, serum, moisturize, sunscreen—then makeup. The most famous and professional makeup artists would always prep the skin first.”
Another essential? Understanding your skin type. According to Courtney, whether you have oily, dry, or sensitive skin, you need the right products. And always double cleanse. Oil-based cleanser first, then your regular one.
For anti-aging, she swears by the smooth, skin-loving touch of mulberry silk—that means pillowcases, eye masks and even scrunchies. But that’s not all. Courtney also has her own sacred routines and products she loves.
“I am obsessed with anything Shiseido. I’ve been using their products since high school. It’s what my Korean mom uses, and she looks incredible. I also Gua sha about twice a week and use the NuFace device,” she confides.
And when she’s on the go? Scherer never leaves home without her setting spray to rehydrate her skin and signature lip combo. “Makeup Forever lip liner in Wherever Walnut and ELF’s Sun Boss Gloss in Pink-Me Girl.”
Regarding Hawai‘i-made makeup lines, Courtney’s favorite brand with island roots is Kopari. “I've used their deodorant and lotions for years. It’s clean, it smells amazing and it works.” She also mentions Ua Body, “I’ve used their body mist. It smells divine.”
Now living on Hawai‘i Island—a stark contrast to the bustling cities she once called home—Courtney embraces a balance of modern wellness and island tradition. She continues to model selectively but spends most of her time focused on her current endeavors, such as real estate. “I pride myself on being positive with a great attitude with my clients.”
For her, beauty isn’t found in a contour brush or a lotion bottle—it’s a reflection of something more profound.
“Confidence is beauty,” she says. “No makeup or skincare can shine through like the self-love and confidence you hold.”
It’s a message she hopes to pass on to women of all ages: that filters or trends don’t define their worth, but by how they show up for themselves and others.
From the beaches of O‘ahu to the catwalks of New York, and now to the volcanic slopes of the Big Island, Courtney Scherer’s story has a clear takeaway. “You are beautiful! And it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Having a beautiful personality is what matters.”
Courtney plans to host a modeling workshop in 2026 for young girls and women who wish to learn more about the modeling industry, with a primary focus on developing self-confidence and self-love.
Learn more about her journey on her Instagram account @cocosirens.