Before becoming an actress, Gouw studied law, receiving a BA in Political Science/International Relations from UCLA and a JD from UCLA's Graduate School of Law. After law school, she received offers from several top Hollywood law firms, but ultimately decided to represent Hollywood on film rather than in the court room. Gouw also won a number of beauty contests, including Miss Los Angeles Chinatown 1983 and Miss Chinatown USA 1984. She later became the first Asian-American to be named the "$100-Thousand Dollar Spokesmodel Grand Champion" on the popular talent show Star Search.