Isabela Merced

🧒 Early Life and Background

Isabela Yolanda Moner, professionally known as Isabela Merced, was born on July 10, 2001, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. She is the daughter of Katherine, a native of Lima, Peru, and Patrick Moner, who hails from Louisiana with Polish and Slovak ancestry. Growing up in a bilingual household, Spanish was her first language, and she faced challenges learning English upon starting school. Isabela has expressed a strong connection to her Peruvian heritage, often stating she feels more Peruvian than American. She has two brothers, Jared and Gyovanni, and was homeschooled through Ohio Virtual Academy. At the age of 15, she was accepted into college, showcasing her academic dedication alongside her burgeoning career. 

🎭 Acting Career

Isabela's passion for performance was ignited at a young age. She began acting in community theater at six and made her Broadway debut at ten in a 2012 production of "Evita," performing alongside Ricky Martin. Her transition to screen acting included roles in "The House That Jack Built" (2013) and the Nickelodeon series "100 Things to Do Before High School" (2014–2016), where she played the lead role of CJ Martin. She also voiced Kate in "Dora and Friends: Into the City!" from 2014 to 2017. 

Isabela's film career expanded with notable roles such as Izabella in "Transformers: The Last Knight" (2017), Isabel Reyes in "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" (2018), and Lizzy in "Instant Family" (2018). In 2019, she portrayed the titular character in "Dora and the Lost City of Gold." Her versatility continued with performances in "Let It Snow" (2019), "Sweet Girl" (2021), and voice roles in "Spirit Untamed" (2021) and "Migration" (2023). 

In 2024, Isabela starred in "Turtles All the Way Down" and "Alien: Romulus." She is set to appear as Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl in "Superman: Legacy" (2025) and as Dina in the second season of HBO's "The Last of Us," showcasing her continued presence in major franchises. 

🎶 Musical Endeavors

Beyond acting, Isabela is a talented singer and songwriter. She released her debut album, "Stopping Time," in 2015, followed by the EP "The Better Half of Me" in 2020. Her single "Papi" marked her first release under the name Isabela Merced. Her music often reflects her cultural heritage and personal experiences. 

🌈 Personal Life and Advocacy

In 2019, Isabela adopted the stage name Merced to honor her late grandmother, Yolanda Merced Salazar Pittman. She has been open about her identity, stating she has "been queer my whole life" and aims to represent the LGBTQ+ community in her work. Isabela has also discussed her struggles with anxiety and polycystic ovary syndrome, advocating for mental health awareness. 

🏆 Awards and Recognition

Isabela's talent has been recognized with several awards, including the Imagen Award for Best Young Actor – Television for "100 Things to Do Before High School" in 2016 and Best Actress – Feature Film for "Instant Family" in 2019. She also received the Rising Star Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival in 2024 and the Next Generation Impact Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition in 2025. 

Isabela Merced continues to captivate audiences with her dynamic performances and dedication to authentic storytelling, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.