Paula-Alexandra Gînju (born 1998), known professionally as Paulina, is a Romanian singer-songwriter. Her music blends elements of electro-pop, Romanian folk (particularly lÃÂutÃÂreascÃÂ) and contemporary manele. She gained national attention in 2022 when her single "FetiÃÂa Ta de Milioane" went viral and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Romania Songs chart.
Paulina was born in BraÃÂov, Romania, into a family of traditional musicians. She began studying piano, violin, and voice at a young age.
She initially enrolled in pharmacy studies at university, but later switched to psychology, a field she describes as closely connected to art and emotional expression.
Paulina began her professional career in 2018, collaborating with the production label Seek Music. After a brief period, she chose to work independently and began composing and producing her own material. She describes her sound as "pop electro astral", a blend of modern pop, Balkan influences, and 1990s nostalgia.
In 2021 she released the single "Multe NopÃÂi", followed by "FetiÃÂa Ta de Milioane", which went viral on TikTok and reached number 20 on the Billboard Romania Songs chart.
She released her debut album, Prin Lume, in 2022, which was followed by SÃÂraca FatÃÂ BogatÃÂ in 2023 and Te Iubesc, te UrÃÂsc in 2024. She is signed to Universal Music Romania. Her live performances include sold-out shows at the Expirat Club and Arenele Romane in Bucharest.
Paulina's music combines warm vocals and electronic production with influences from Romanian folk traditions such as lÃÂutÃÂreascÃÂ and the urban pop genre manele. Her debut album Prin lume was described by New East Digital Archive as a "bittersweet electro-pop debut rooted in Romanian folklore, jazz, and Roma music." The album's narrative follows an eight-track love story about heartbreak and self-recovery.
Her lyrics often explore vulnerability, femininity, and self-acceptance. Paulina has said her background in psychology shapes her creative process and that she views songwriting as a form of music therapy.
Paulina is pursuing a master's degree in psychology. She has participated in social and educational projects, including a theatre-based initiative against sexual violence with Romanian playwright Ilinca PrisÃÂcariu. She identifies as a feminist and has expressed support for gender equality and social inclusion.