Isabela Merced

Isabela Merced
Merced at SXSW 2025
Born
Isabela Yolanda Moner

(2001-07-10) July 10, 2001 (age 23)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Citizenship
  • American
  • Peruvian[1]
OccupationActress
Years active2013–present

Isabela Yolanda Moner[1][2] (born July 10, 2001[3]), known professionally as Isabela Merced since 2019, is an American actress. She played the lead role in the Nickelodeon television series 100 Things to Do Before High School (2014–2016), and went on to feature in the films Transformers: The Last Knight (2017), Instant Family (2018), and Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018). She starred as the titular character in the adventure film Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019) and played main roles in the films Turtles All the Way Down and Alien: Romulus (both in 2024).

In 2025, she has a starring role in the second season of the HBO series The Last of Us.

Early life

[edit]

Merced was born in Cleveland, Ohio.[3][4] She is the daughter of Katherine, who was born in Lima, Peru, and Patrick Moner, who was born in Louisiana.[3][5] Merced has stated that Spanish was her first language, and she struggled with English when she first started grade school,[5] adding that she considers herself "half Peruvian and half from Ohio. I wish I could say I'm 100% Peruvian; I've always felt that way."[6] She has two brothers. At age 15, she was accepted into college.[7][8]

Merced began acting after her family's Cleveland home was destroyed by a fire. She was a Judy Garland fan, so her parents, in an attempt to distract her from the loss, encouraged Merced to audition for a local production of The Wizard of Oz. She agreed and was cast as a Munchkin. She attended the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory, led by Broadway producer Fred Sternfeld, who tried to persuade Merced's mother into taking her to New York to pursue auditions. After some reluctance, her mother agreed, and the family moved to New York City for a month to help Merced pursue a career on Broadway.[7][9]

Career

[edit]

Merced has said that she wanted to be an actress from a young age, inspired by movies featuring Shirley Temple and Judy Garland and starting in local community theatre at age six.[10] Merced booked her first job, a Claritin commercial, on what was supposed to be her last day in New York City during the summer she spent auditioning there.[7] She made her Broadway debut at age ten in a production of Evita,[11] in which she sang in Spanish with Ricky Martin.[5]

Merced's first starring performance was as CJ Martin, the lead role on the Nickelodeon television series 100 Things to Do Before High School,[5][11][12] from 2014 to 2016. That same year, she began providing the voice of Kate, one of the main characters in the Dora the Explorer spin-off, Dora and Friends: Into the City!, a role she performed from 2014 to 2017.[13] In 2015, she appeared as Lori Collins in the Nickelodeon Original Movie Splitting Adam,[14] and was cast as Sadie, one of the leading roles, in the 2016 Nickelodeon Original Movie Legends of the Hidden Temple.[15][16] Merced's debut album Stopping Time (2015) was produced by Broadway Records.[17]

In May 2016, Merced was cast in the film Transformers: The Last Knight, which was released in June 2017.[18][19] She voiced Heather in the animated film The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, which was theatrically released on August 11, 2017.[20]

Merced in 2018

In 2018, Merced had a major role in Sicario: Day of the Soldado, playing the daughter of a drug cartel head,[21][22] in a performance lauded by critics. The New Yorker's Anthony Lane wrote "Moner is terrific, and her character's fortunes can be read in her eyes—blazing to begin with, as she scraps with another girl in a schoolyard, but dark and blank by the end, their youthful fire doused by the violence that she has seen."[23]

In the same year, she played the adopted daughter of the characters played by Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne in the comedy film Instant Family,[24] for which she also wrote and sang the song "I'll Stay".[25][26] In 2019, Merced starred as the title character in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, a live action film adaptation of the animated series,[27][28] and was cast in the Christmas romantic comedy ensemble film Let It Snow.[29] The same year, she was cast opposite Jason Momoa in the film Sweet Girl for Netflix.[30]

On October 14, 2019, Merced announced to her fans via a post on her Instagram account that she had decided to change her stage name to Isabela Merced in memory of her late grandmother.[31] Her first single, "Papi", was released in 2019,[32] followed by her first music video released on November 6, 2019.[33][failed verification] Merced released her debut EP The Better Half of Me in 2020 through Republic Records[34][independent source needed] and was named one of Billboard's top 15 new Peruvian artists to listen to in July 2020.[32]

In 2024, she starred in Turtles All the Way Down, a film adaptation of the 2017 novel by John Green,[35][36] and Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus.[37] In July 2023, Merced was cast as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl in the DC Universe (DCU) film Superman (2025).[38] In January 2024, Merced was cast as Dina in season 2 of The Last of Us.[39]

Personal life

[edit]

Merced describes herself as having "been queer my whole life",[40] and has "been in queer relationships".[41] Merced stated that Emily Estefan motivated her with her example "to live her truth" and that she aims to "do her part" for the queer community in American popular culture.[42]

She grew up Catholic.[41] She describes her Catholic upbringing as "being closeted out of being complicit and somebody who has accepted, maybe suppressing their queernesss for their environment, basically, and to adapt." [43]

She has polycystic ovary syndrome,[44] and has attended therapy and openly discussed her struggles with anxiety.[45][46]

Her mother has battled breast cancer for an unknown period of time. As of 2020 she is in remission.[47][48]

Filmography

[edit]
Key
† Denotes productions that have not yet been released
Film roles
Year Title Role Notes
2013 The House That Jack Built Young Nadia
2016 Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life Jeanne Galleta
2017 Transformers: The Last Knight Izabella
The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature Heather (voice)
2018 Sicario: Day of the Soldado Isabel Reyes
Instant Family Lizzy
2019 Dora and the Lost City of Gold Dora Final credit as Isabela Moner[29]
Let It Snow Julie First credit as Isabela Merced[29]
2021 Spirit Untamed Lucky Prescott (voice)
Sweet Girl Rachel Cooper
2022 Father of the Bride Cora Herrera
Rosaline Juliet
2023 Migration Kim (voice)
2024 Madame Web Anya Corazon [49]
Turtles All the Way Down Aza Holmes
Alien: Romulus Kay [50]
2025 Superman † Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl Post-production[38]
Television roles
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Growing Up Fisher Jenny Recurring role, 7 episodes
2014–2017 Dora and Friends: Into the City! Kate Main voice role
2014–2016 100 Things to Do Before High School CJ Martin Lead role
2015 Splitting Adam Lori Collins Television film
2016 Legends of the Hidden Temple Sadie Television film
2019 The Amazing Race Canada Herself Episode: "Clamageddon Continues"
2020 #KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall Herself Television special
2021 Maya and the Three Widow Queen (voice) Miniseries
2024 Rock Paper Scissors The Susan (voice) Episode: "The Susan"
2025 The Last of Us Dina Season 2
Peacemaker Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl Season 2
Video game roles
Year Title Role Notes
2017 Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover Ava Short film; voice role
2021 Spirit: Lucky's Big Adventure Lucky Prescott

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2015 Imagen Awards Best Young Actress – Television 100 Things to Do Before High School Nominated [51]
2016 Imagen Awards Best Young Actor – Television 100 Things to Do Before High School Won [52]
2017 Teen Choice Awards Choice Summer Movie Actress Transformers: The Last Knight Nominated [53]
2017 CinemaCon Award Rising Star of the Year Herself Won [54]
Young Entertainers Award Best Young Ensemble Cast – Feature Film Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life Nominated [55]
2019 Young Entertainers Award Best Leading Young Actress Instant Family Won [56]
Imagen Awards Best Actress – Feature Film Instant Family Won [57]
2020 Imagen Awards Best Actress – Feature Film Dora and the Lost City of Gold Won [58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Isabela Moner ya tiene DNI y lo celebra en Instagram" [Isabela Moner Now Has Her Id and is Celebrating on Instagram]. RPP (in Spanish). July 31, 2017. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  2. ^ "Kiernan Shipka & Isabela Merced Answer the Web's Most Searched Questions | Wired" (video). Wired. November 8, 2019. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2025 – via YouTube.[time needed]
  3. ^ a b c Dawidziak, Mark (August 14, 2014). "Isabela Moner is a Cleveland native with two Nickelodeon shows". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2015. Her parents, Patrick and Katherine Moner [...] She turned 13 on July 10.
  4. ^ "Află totul despre Isabela Moner" [Learn all about Isabela Moner]. Nickelodeon Romania (in Romanian). March 29, 2016. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d Fernandez, Celia (June 6, 2015). "Exclusive: Isabela Moner Dishes On '100 Things To Do Before High School' Before Season Premiere". Latina (interview). Archived from the original on June 7, 2015.
  6. ^ "Esta niña peruana de 14 años será la nueva Megan Fox (+Fotos)" [This 14-year-old Peruvian Girl Will Be the Next Megan Fox (+ Photos)]. E! Online Latinoamerica (in Spanish). April 14, 2016. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c Delgado, Sara (March 15, 2023). "'Madame Web' Star Isabela Merced Talks Child Stardom and Living Fearlessly". Teen Vogue. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  8. ^ Maldonado, Jennifer (January 12, 2017). "Isabela Moner Writes a Heartfelt Message After She Gets Accepted Into College". M Magazine. Archived from the original on March 28, 2017.
  9. ^ Carreon, Justine (September 7, 2021). "A House Fire Led Isabela Merced To A Life On Stage And Screen". Elle Magazine. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  10. ^ Katzman, Sarah; Kirshnitz, Nora; Nair, Karthhika (May 1, 2015). "Nickelodeon star Isabela Moner talks to Kidsday". Newsday. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Calvario, Liz (May 27, 2015). "Getting to Know Isabela Moner From '100 Things To Do Before High School' [Interview]". Variety Latino. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  12. ^ Lloyd, Robert (June 6, 2015). "Review '100 Things to Do Before High School'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  13. ^ Davids, Brian (August 9, 2019). "'Dora' Star Isabela Moner on Playing an All-Too-Rare Happy Teenager and the 'Sicario' Scene That Made Josh Brolin Cry". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  14. ^ Baron, Steve (February 9, 2015). "Nickelodeon Stars Unite in 'Splitting Adam' Premiering Monday, February 16th". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015.
  15. ^ Steinberg, Brian (March 1, 2016). "Nickelodeon to Revive 'Legends of the Hidden Temple' as TV Movie (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016. Isabela Moner, known from her role on Nick's '100 Things to Do Before High School,' will star.
  16. ^ "Nickelodeon Greenlights Legends of the Hidden Temple Live-Action TV Movie" (press release). Nickelodeon. March 1, 2016. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016.
  17. ^ Jones, Helen (September 26, 2015). "CD Review: Isabela Moner – Stopping Time". The Reviews Hub. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  18. ^ Romano, Nick (May 28, 2016). "Transformers: The Last Knight releases viral teaser with cryptic message". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
  19. ^ Alexander, Bryan (June 22, 2017). "Who's the new kid in 'Transformers: The Last Knight'? Meet Isabela Moner". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  20. ^ Robbins, Caryn (May 25, 2016). "Open Road Films Acquires Animated Feature Film Playmobil Based on Iconic Toy Brand". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  21. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (December 9, 2016). "'Sicario' Sequel 'Soldado' Adds Isabela Moner". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 10, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  22. ^ Alexander, Bryan (March 18, 2018). "Exclusive trailer: Benicio Del Toro's killer returns in 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado'". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  23. ^ Lane, Anthony (July 16, 2018). "The Borderland Brutality of 'Sicario 2: Soldado'". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on September 7, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  24. ^ Galuppo, Mia (February 23, 2018). "Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro Join Mark Wahlberg Comedy 'Instant Family'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  25. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 16, 2018). "Up-and-Comer of the Month: 'Instant Family' Star Isabela Moner". Collider. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  26. ^ Instant Family (2018) Archived August 27, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Soundtrack.net
  27. ^ Hemmert, Kylie (May 2, 2018). "Isabela Moner Cast as Dora the Explorer in Live-Action Film". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on October 18, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  28. ^ Viscardi, James (August 10, 2018). "First Look At Live Action Dora The Explorer Released". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  29. ^ a b c N'Duka, Amanda (December 17, 2018). "Kiernan Shipka, Isabela Moner, Shameik Moore, Odeya Rush & More To Star In Netflix YA Film 'Let It Snow'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  30. ^ Sneider, Jeff (October 21, 2019). "Exclusive: 'Dora' Star Isabela Merced Joins Jason Momoa in Netflix Movie 'Sweet Girl'". Collider. Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  31. ^ Romero, Ariana (October 14, 2019). "Isabela Moner To Isabela Merced: Inside The Let It Snow Star's First Single & New Name". Refinery29. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  32. ^ a b Roiz, Jessica (July 28, 2020). "15 Peruvian Artists to Have on Your Radar: Isabela Merced, Renata Flores & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  33. ^ isabelamerced (October 16, 2019). "Papi Oct 25th Pre-save Link in Bio". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021 – via Instagram.
  34. ^ isabelamerced (May 21, 2020). "We Out Here Man #TheBetterHalfofMe Is Out Now Everywhere Big Thanks to Everyone Who Made This Happen. This Ain't a One Man Job ♥️". Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2025 – via Instagram.
  35. ^ Kit, Borys (March 9, 2022). "Isabela Merced to Star in John Green's 'Turtles All the Way Down' for New Line, HBO Max (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  36. ^ Kiesewetter, John (April 26, 2022). "'Turtles All The Way Down', based on John Green's bestseller, films in Cincinnati this week". WVXU. Archived from the original on April 27, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  37. ^ Squires, John (March 2, 2023). "Isabela Merced Joins New 'Alien' Movie from 'Evil Dead' Director Fede Alvarez". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  38. ^ a b Breznican, Anthony (July 11, 2023). "Superman Legacy Cast Adds Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi and Nathan Fillion: EXCLUSIVE". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  39. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 11, 2024). "'The Last Of Us': Isabela Merced Cast As Dina In Season 2 Of HBO Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  40. ^ Ito, Robert (April 14, 2025). "Isabela Merced Is Ready to Slay (and Not Just Zombies)". The New York Times. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  41. ^ a b Aurthur, Kate (May 4, 2025). "'The Last of Us' Star Isabela Merced on Dina and Ellie's Romance, Getting That Sex Scene Right and LGBTQ Representation: 'No One Actually Thinks I'm Queer'". Variety Magazine. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  42. ^ Hansen, Lena (January 31, 2022). "Exclusive: Isabela Merced, nominated by Emily Estefan to enter Poderosas, talks about living her truth". People en Espanol. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  43. ^ Goodman, William (May 11, 2025). "The Last of Us' Isabela Merced Talks Dina and Ellie and Peacemaker Season Two". GQ. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  44. ^ "Isabela Merced Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  45. ^ Ware, Asia Milia (April 15, 2024). "As Young Actors, We're Encouraged Not to Have Boundaries". The Cut. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  46. ^ Bahr, Sarah (February 17, 2024). "Isabela Merced Has a Trick to Keep Herself Off Her Phone". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  47. ^ "Isabela Merced Instagram post". Retrieved July 9, 2024 – via Instagram.
  48. ^ "Isabela Merced Instagram post". Instagram. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  49. ^ Jackson, Angelique (February 12, 2024). "'Madame Web' Star Isabela Merced on Filming 'The Last of Us' and Playing Hawkgirl in 'Superman: Legacy' at the Same Time". MSN. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  50. ^ Kit, Borys (March 3, 2023). "Fede Alvarez's Alien Movie Rounds Out Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  51. ^ "2015 Imagen Awards Winners & Nominees". Imagen Foundation. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  52. ^ "2016 Imagen Awards Winners & Nominees". Imagen Foundation. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  53. ^ Berggren, Victoria (June 20, 2017). "Justin Timberlake and Kevin Hart Lead Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  54. ^ "Isabela Moner To Receive CinemaCon 2017 Rising Star Of The Year Award – Transformers News". Transformer World 2005 – TFW2005.COM. March 26, 2017. Archived from the original on March 26, 2017. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  55. ^ "Young Entertainer Awards Submissions". Young Entertainer Awards. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  56. ^ "4th Annual Young Entertainers Awards : 2019" (PDF). Young Entertainer Awards. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 9, 2019.
  57. ^ "34th Annual Imagen Awards Winners Announced". Imagen Foundation. August 12, 2019. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  58. ^ "Dora and the Lost City of Gold' Tops Imagen Awards". Hollywood Reporter. September 24, 2020. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
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