Astoria Queens resident and Big Brother alum Paola Shea gave up a hip-hop dance career to become one of the most respected open format DJ’s in the biz

by Tia kim

Born and raised: East Hampton, Connecticut, but current home is Astoria, Queens

Early days: While in college, “Pao Pao” was offered and accepted a scholarship to a New York City dance academy (she specialized in hip-hop), but began DJing instead.

Big break: Big Brother season 16 cast member, but was voted out in a second round ballot.

Biggest gigs: Working with Bruno Mars and Wiz Khalifa, and producing remixes for Beyoncé, Adele, Sia, and The Chainsmokers.

Notable DJ appearances: Rocked capacity crowds for New York City’s Highline Ballroom, Haus, Slate, and 1Oak; the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Atlantic City’s Harrah’s, and San Francisco’s Mezzanine.

Other career notes: Has been featured on MTV, E Online, and Entertainment Weekly, as well as in OK and Maxim magazines. She’s been recognized as one of the top 100 open-format DJs in the U.S. and earned a scholarship to New York City’s Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory. She’s also a top-ranked gamer.

When asked what he appreciated about Shea upon hearing her play, hip-hop/Hollywood icon Ice T offered: “I could just tell that she’s a dope DJ…right away. It’s great to see the energy of the club with her.”

Three adjectives she uses to self describe: “Funny, crazy and outgoing.”

worst fear: “Commitment. It’s very hard for me to accept love and to love someone.”

Biggest accomplishment: “Climbing the Great Wall of China. It was scary and I can still remember the hard wind blowing against me and thinking I was going to fall.”

Paola Shea
Regular appearances at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
777 Harrah’s Boulevard, Atlantic City
609.441.5000 / caesars.com/harrahs-ac