From Rio de Janiero/Carioca, 23 years old. Paula came to California to visit in 2001, but decided to stay and begin studying to be a Nurse. She remembers her passion for dancing began when she was a little girl in Brazil, so once she came to California, she held on to her cultural roots by dancing Samba whenever she could—personally and professionally. In addition to being crowned Princess of the Long Beach Brazilian Street Carnaval 2003, Paula has danced Samba professionally for various groups at a variety of venues throughout the Los Angeles/Long Beach area including Brazilian Carnaval 2004 at the Long Beach Queen Mary, Brazilian Carnaval at the Hollywood Paladium and at the Home Depot Center in Dominquez Hills for the Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer Team. Also, between practice and Samba shows she divides her time training to become a certified fitness instructor while attending nursing school.