Born in 1897 in New York City, to Joseph and Eva (née Cohn) Trueman, she was raised in Manhattan and attended Hunter College before gaining admission to the Neighborhood Playhouse to study dancing.
Born in 1897 in New York City, to Joseph and Eva (née Cohn) Trueman, she had two sisters, a twin, Natalie (Mrs. Sternberg) and an elder sister, Hannah (Mrs. Bottstein). Paula attended Hunter College before gaining admission to the Neighborhood Playhouse to study dancing.