Paula Celeste Nyland (born August 25, 1960) is an American dancer, seamstress, entrepreneur, and YouTube travel vlogger. She gained prominence as the featured "hero" on Season 9, Episode 1 of the Netflix series Queer Eye. A former Las Vegas showgirl and touring dancer, Paula has since diversified her career into costume design and custom clothing production while sharing her passion for travel through her vlog series. Early Life and Education

Paula Celeste Nyland was born on August 25, 1960, in Hollister, California, United States. She is of Irish, Dutch, and Norwegian heritage. The youngest of five children, Paula grew up with her siblings Nancy, Barbara, Monica, and Peter Charles Nyland. Her parents were Catherine Clare Nyland ^[1] and Peter Nyland. She attended Hollister High School and later studied at Gavilan College in Gilroy, California.

Paula's first exposure to the performing arts came as a teenager, when she auditioned for and earned a role as a dancer at Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara, California. Following this success, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment. Despite turning down an offer to pose for Playboy — a decision she later regretted — Paula's dancing skills led her to an international touring role with singer Engelbert Humperdinck.^[2]

Paula began her professional career as a dancer for Engelbert Humperdinck's touring show, traveling extensively to perform. She later moved to Las Vegas, where she worked in iconic productions such as Moulin Rouge and Bottoms Up. She also performed alongside Charo and Suzanne Somers in high-profile stage shows.

After retiring from performing, Paula transitioned to working as a seamstress and dresser for Las Vegas productions. She contributed her skills to shows such as Vegas, The Show at Planet Hollywood and Human Nature at The Venetian.

Paula is the owner of Rapunzie, a baby clothing and custom t-shirt printing business. Through Rapunzie, she designs and sells clothing on the company's website and tours state fairs, including the Western Idaho Fair, Eastern Idaho State Fair, and North Dakota State Fair, offering on-site custom t-shirt printing for patrons.

Paula shares her love of travel through her YouTube series, Wandering with Paula, hosted on the Triple G Productions channel.^[3] The series showcases her explorations and experiences across the globe.

In 2024, Paula was featured as the "hero" in the first episode of Season 9 of Queer Eye. Nominated by her daughters, Summer Chance and Briana Bushkin, Paula’s story of resilience and reinvention resonated with viewers. The Fab Five helped her transform her style and reignite her confidence, earning her widespread admiration. Her husband, Gregg Ziemba, also appeared on the show, highlighting their strong relationship.

Paula is married to Gregg Ziemba, a former drummer for bands such as Slick Idiot and Sunshine Blind. The couple met in 2010 while working backstage on Vegas, The Show. They currently reside in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they continue to collaborate on creative and professional endeavors.

Paula is the mother of two daughters, Summer and Briana, and has two grandchildren, Jagger and Ziggy. She is deeply passionate about her family and her roles as a mother and grandmother.

Paula Nyland’s journey from a small-town girl in Hollister to an international performer and inspiring figure on Queer Eye exemplifies resilience and versatility. Her ventures into entrepreneurship and vlogging have further demonstrated her commitment to creativity and self-expression.

"Queer Eye Season 9: Where Is Paula Nyland Now?" The Cinemaholic. https://thecinemaholic.com/paula-nyland/

"Paula Nyland’s Transformation on Queer Eye." Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/queer-eye-paula-nyland-today-update

"Meet Paula Nyland: Grandmother Turned Superstar." Meaww. https://meaww.com/where-is-paula-nyland-now-queer-eye-turns-boring-grandmom-of-two-into-fashion-superstar-in-her-sixties

Triple G Productions: Wandering with Paula. YouTube Playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt0YFS3RDRaF6HdH29Yf6Hl5eX0HXCvyE

• Rapunzie Official Website. https://rapunzie.com