Cortellesi debuted in the show business at the age of 13, as a singer for "Cacao meravigliao", the jingle of the popular RAI TV show "Indietro tutta!" by Renzo Arbore. At 19 she began studying as an actress at the Teatro Blu in Rome by Massimiliano Bruno, which has been staged 189 times from 2005 to 2007 in over 50 theatres, and for which Cortellesi has collected a number of awards. As a singer, Cortellesi has been described by Mina as "one of the best Italian voices" and has cooperated with several notable Italian musicians, including Elio e le Storie Tese, Renato Zero, Claudio Baglioni, Frankie hi-nrg mc, and Neri per Caso. Cortellesi married director Riccardo Milani on October 1, 2011. The couple have a daughter, Laura, born January 24, 2013.
At 13, she sang an Italian hit song of the 80s, "Cacao Meravigliao".
Her longtime companion is director Riccardo Milani.
Dated Valerio Mastandrea.
One daughter, Laura (b. 24 January 2013).
Paola and her husband are expecting their second child, a son.
