Born in Mexico, Paulina began acting at a young age, attending CEA Infantil Televisa, an acting conservatory for kids. By the time she finished the program, she had booked a recurring role in a Mexican Soap Opera. Shortly afterwards she completed her studies at Estudio Amarillo, where she learned about dubbing and voiceovers.

Paulina then moved to Miami, started doing theater and booked her first co-star role. She later decided to move to New York City to attend an acting conservatory, where she studied with many renowned actors such as Austin Pendleton and Stephen McKinley Henderson. After completing it, she continued training with great coaches such as the late Clark Middleton, with whom she later worked with in the movie Bluefish.