Catrinel Marlon is born in Iasi (Romania) October 1, 1985. Footsteps of her father, champion in the 400 meters hurdles Olympic, Catrinel becomes an athlete before being discovered at the age of sixteen from a local agent during a school trip to Bucharest. After six months she moves to the capital of Romania where she started her career as a model. The Italian-Romanian origins captured the attention of many major maison including Giorgio Armani and Lise Charmel. Catrinel began her acting career by participating in various films, including La città ideale directed by Luigi Lo Cascio and Tutti i rumori del mare directed by Federico Brugia.