Paulina James (born October 29, 1986) is an American pornographic actress of Portuguese ancestry. She is an exclusive contract performer and director with SexZ Pictures. James was born and raised in Orange County, California. James started modeling at the age of 5. She was an extra in The Gambler 4 starring Kenny Rogers, appeared in music videos and commercials, and did beauty pageants. She was a cheerleader in high school and graduated early. She then studied business and clothing design at a local community college. James was approached by a talent agency for her first experience with the adult industry. Her job was as a model passing out fliers at the Erotica LA convention in 2006. Later, she was approached by a friend to appear in an adult movie and her adult film career began.She was in the adult industry for a year before she signed an exclusive three-year performing and directing contract with SexZ Pictures.Paulina's first anal scene was in The Perils of Paulina with Evan Stone. In March 2008, James announced she was taking a one-year hiatus "due to my pregnancy with my wonderful fiancé",adding in a statement: "I plan to do big things with SexZ Pictures this year and in the years to come, but as we speak I will be taking time off due to my pregnancy."