Interview Paola: "Being a woman in any industry is hard, but especially in the music industry. The thing I’ve always had the biggest issue with is “age”. "

Photo Credit: Paola

If you have something you’ve always been drawn to, the saying goes that it was always meant for you. For singer-songwriter Paola, that couldn’t have been more true. From singing in a children's choir to embracing the theatrics and musical path, singer-songwriter always knew her life was to be centred around music. “Music was definitely always a part of me,” she says. “My family always said I have always been a drama queen, putting on shows and being the centre of attention."

That passion led her to pursue the art of writing and singing, her latest single, “The Captive", is out now. Like many of her songs, she pulls from experience. That hard work ultimately paid off with her becoming part of the Recording Academy. I talk to Paola about her career thus far, the joy of writing, and how she balances life as a full-time nurse and her creative pursuits. A wonderful person and I highly recommend giving her discography a listen.

“The Captive” is out now and tells a tale of a girl so madly in love. When it comes to stories such as this, how do you go about writing? Do you pull from your own experiences or dive deep into a fictional place?

Paola: All the music I’ve written comes from experiences I’ve had. I feel like that builds a certain trust with the audience; they can relate to my words and know someone else out there is experiencing the things they’ve experienced. “The Captive” came from being in my first healthy and loving relationship. If you look at my past work, it all has the same tone of grief and loss, while “The Captive”, while still holding on to my regular edgy lyrics, speaks in a more positive and loving tone. 

You tell a story on your socials about how "The Captive" wasn’t supposed to be your new single, with your previous team refusing to release the original. In moments like that, how do you break from the negative side of the business alongside feelings of hopelessness to carry on creating music?

Paola: It’s always hard when you’re working towards your passion and huge road blocks get in the way, but it’s times like that where I remind myself that I’m doing this for me. The only person I truly have to please is myself. I cannot control what others do to me, so I have to rise above it and keep the goal in mind. To keep making music, regardless of what else happens. 

The good news is that you have a fab new single but are also now part of the Recording Academy. How did that come about?

Paola: Yes, I’m so, so excited! The Recording Academy has a wonderful programme called “Grammy U", which helps smaller musicians gain tools and networking skills in order to succeed in the music industry. I’m fortunate enough to work with someone who was able to give me insight into the application process and help me stand out in order to be accepted. I hope to do so much with this opportunity. 

Having grown up in school theatre and choir, what made you originally want to partake in that area specifically? Was music always part of your youth?

Paola: Music was definitely always a part of me. My family always said I have always been a drama queen, putting on shows and being the centre of attention. But it wasn’t until I was scouted in elementary school for Puerto Rico’s National Children’s Choir that I realised this is something I genuinely wanted to pursue. I’ve been in music ever since and picked up theatre in high school. 

The past singles of yours seem to have an overarching theme of real-life issues. Do you choose how personal to go, and do you find it's a healing thing to share with your listeners? 

Paola: At this point, I’ve written about the worst thing to ever happen in my life, which is the death of my mother, in “In The Underground”, so there are really no limitations to my writing anymore, I’m an open book. There is a sort of healing that takes place in opening up about those very dark feelings and turning it into something beautiful that other people can connect with. 

Photo Credit: Paola

From the start to finish, what are the most rewarding moments of joy you find from recording to the release of a new track?

Paola: My favourite part of any new song is the song-writing. I tend to black out and just write, write, write. It’s amazing to stop and reflect on the wonderful story you just wrote. From there I have a blast recording it and seeing how many different ways you can sing it or what kind of nuances you can add to it. But what brings it all together for me is seeing people’s reactions to the song and to the story. 

With each release do you find yourself reflecting on past singles and how you’ve grown as an artist?

Paola: I absolutely have seen such a growth in my writing and my artistic style. When I wrote my first single, I was so new to everything and was still finding my voice. Now, I know where I stand and what I want to say, and both the writing and sound have gotten so much more mature. 

When it comes to creating music and being switched on constantly with ideas, how do you balance life with the whirlwind that comes from being a creative individual?

Paola: It’s hard to navigate life and to be constantly “on” with ideas and plans, but there is a need for a balance. I have two full-time careers basically, I’m a full-time nurse and a musician, so work takes over my entire life. I have to force myself to stop, rest, refuel, and also allow myself to just enjoy being in the present, even though all I want to do, constantly, is plan for the future and bring my ideas to life. 

You’re vocal to your audience about being a voice for people who need voices to unite and be loud. Do you see yourself as a voice to platform those who need music as their dose of therapy? Do you feel you pressure yourself to focus on relatable topics?

Paola: There’s not much pressure to focus on relatable topics, because it’s what comes naturally to me. I speak about mental health, grief, love, etc., and they're all things I deal with on a daily basis. I also know what it’s like to feel small and sort of an “underdog”. No one to help and guide you along or speak up for you. I try to do that the best way I know how because I needed someone like me growing up, and I know there are people out there that could use that too. 

Being a woman in the music industry is always an interesting tale, and to hear others' voices, what is the main topic you could have changed? I’ll go first…. More women need to be booked on festival line-ups.

Paola: Being a woman in any industry is hard, but especially in the music industry. The thing I’ve always had the biggest issue with is “age”. Men can grow amazing careers at any age, but with a woman, when she turns a certain age or is married with kids, she’s found to be “less profitable” or has “aged out”. We’re seeing so many successful musicians in their 30s and 40s. Music shouldn’t have an age. 

You have a fun series where you create reels singing, “If you had a verse on a certain artist's songs." Where did that idea spark from?

Paola: I love writing, and I was stuck in a place with my old team where I couldn’t release any new music for myself, so I had to resort to, in a way, writing for others. Take what’s trending and see what other fun ways I could add to the story. It was fun to do and kept my creative juices flowing while everything else was at a standstill. 

To me, you seem incredibly confident in yourself. Have you always been presenting as confident? Where did that come from?

Paola: When I was very, very little, I was extremely confident in myself, but growing up and facing the harsh realities of society made me second-guess myself. It took a long time, but I had to learn that I am here to please myself, and so I have to be happy with myself. I guess that’s where my confidence comes from. If someone is unhappy with me, that is on them. I know who I am. 

Photo Credit: Paola

Are there any specific artists that you personally look up to, either for creativity or because they are empowering?

Paola: I’m a huge Swiftie, so I will always look to Taylor, not just for her incredible songwriting and artistry but for her as a person as well. How she carries herself and how she treats those around her. Other people that have influenced my work have been Amy Winehouse, Ellise, and Lady Gaga, among others. 

Working in a fast-paced industry such as the music scene, what is your advice for fellow artists who are navigating their way through it and may feel overwhelmed on where to start or to continue? 

Paola: I’ve heard this advice from many others, but it truly stands: just start. Wherever you’re at right now, start. The tools and knowledge will come, but there will never be a “perfect” moment to put yourself out there. It’s also so important to be confident in yourself and your work. This is such a hard industry, with lots of rejection, but if you believe in your art, it won’t matter what others' opinions are. 

Social media is a powerful tool that you make full use of. What is your relationship like? Do you feel the need to be attached to constant ideas or create what pops up and then put the phone down? 

Paola: I have a very love-hate relationship with social media. I wish I could enjoy it and doom scroll and turn my brain off, but any time I’m on any platform, I’m constantly “on”, looking for or creating content or networking. At the end of the day, social media is part of the job, so I just have to use the good and the bad to my advantage. 

To date, what has been your “I made it a moment"?

Paola: My “I made it moment” so far has definitely been joining the Recording Academy. I cried such happy tears when I received that email. Becoming a member was something that seemed so far away, and to have it in my grasp seems like a dream. 

We’re well into 2026. What are your goals for the year, and in the coming months, where can listeners find you?

Paola: There is definitely more music coming this year. I’ve been in the studio working hard, so everyone can follow my social media to stay in the loop. I have my music video for “The Captive” coming, hopefully this month, as well.

Follow Paola:

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