Isabela Merced (born July 10, 2001) is an actress and singer who has been quietly stacking big roles for years, and she is now hitting the point where audiences start to recognize her name. She first broke out on Nickelodeon, but she has steadily moved into major studio films and prestige TV, often playing smart, grounded characters with real emotional range.
In recent years she has been tied to multiple franchises, from starring as Dora in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, to appearing in Alien: Romulus, to joining HBO’s The Last of Us as Dina. She also stepped into the new DC Universe as Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders) in James Gunn’s Superman. Merced has also released music, and she changed her professional last name to honor her Peruvian heritage and her late grandmother.
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Quick Facts
| Real Name: | Isabela Yolanda Moner (professionally: Isabela Merced) |
| Profession: | Actor, singer |
| Born: | July 10, 2001 |
| Age: | 24 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace: | Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Nationality: | American, Peruvian |
| Known For: | Dora in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Dina in HBO’s The Last of Us, franchise film roles |
| Notable Films: | Dora and the Lost City of Gold; Alien: Romulus; Sicario: Day of the Soldado; Instant Family |
| Awards: | Imagen Awards, CinemaCon Rising Star, SCAD Savannah Rising Star Award |
| Zodiac Sign: | Cancer |
| Relationship: | Private, no publicly confirmed partner |
| Years Active: | 2013 to present |
Early Life & Education
Isabela Merced was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in a bilingual household. Her mother is from Lima, Peru, and Merced has said Spanish was her first language at home. She grew up with two older brothers, and she was drawn to performance early. A turning point came after a house fire affected her family, and a local theater community helped her get back on her feet, which pushed her further toward performing.
She trained at the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory in Ohio, and her work ethic kicked in fast. At age 10, she made her Broadway debut in Evita, appearing in the revival alongside Ricky Martin. Not long after, she began booking screen roles, and by her early teens she was leading a Nickelodeon series while balancing auditions, training, and travel.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Merced’s first big wave of visibility came through Nickelodeon. She voiced Kate on Dora and Friends: Into the City! and then landed the lead role of CJ Martin on 100 Things to Do Before High School (2014 to 2016). That show made her a familiar face to younger audiences, and it also gave her the on-camera reps that many actors spend years trying to get.
From there, she started choosing projects that expanded her range. She stepped into studio films like Transformers: The Last Knight (2017) and Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018), then starred as Dora in the live-action Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019). More recently, she has leaned into a mix of prestige and franchise work, including Turtles All the Way Down (2024), Alien: Romulus (2024), and HBO’s The Last of Us (2025). She also joined the DC Universe as Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders) in James Gunn’s Superman, which positioned her as part of a long-running superhero franchise going forward.
Selected film and TV highlights
- 100 Things to Do Before High School (2014 to 2016)
- Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)
- Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018)
- Instant Family (2018)
- Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)
- Rosaline (2022)
- Madame Web (2024)
- Turtles All the Way Down (2024)
- Alien: Romulus (2024)
- The Last of Us (2025)
- Superman (2025)
Major recognition
- CinemaCon Rising Star Award (2017)
- SCAD Savannah Rising Star Award (2024)
- NHMC Next Generation Impact Award (2025)
- Imagen Awards recognition for her early TV work, plus later film nominations
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Awards and Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Imagen Awards | Best Young Actress (Television) | 100 Things to Do Before High School | Nominated |
| 2016 | Imagen Awards | Best Young Actress (Television) | 100 Things to Do Before High School | Won |
| 2017 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Summer Movie Actress | Transformers: The Last Knight | Nominated |
| 2017 | CinemaCon Awards | Rising Star of the Year | Career recognition | Won |
| 2017 | Young Entertainers Awards | Best Young Ensemble Cast – Feature Film | Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life | Nominated |
| 2019 | Young Entertainers Awards | Best Leading Young Actress | Instant Family | Won |
| 2020 | Imagen Awards | Best Actress – Feature Film | Dora and the Lost City of Gold | Won |
| 2024 | Imagen Awards | Best Actress – Drama (Television) | Turtles All the Way Down | Nominated |
| 2024 | SCAD Savannah Film Festival | Rising Star Award | Career recognition | Won |
| 2025 | National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) | Next Generation Impact Award | Career recognition | Won |
| 2025 | Astra TV Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | The Last of Us | Won |
| 2025 | Imagen Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Feature Film | Alien: Romulus | Nominated |
Filmography / Notable Works
| Year | Title | Type | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 to 2016 | 100 Things to Do Before High School | TV | Breakout lead role as CJ Martin on Nickelodeon. |
| 2017 | Transformers: The Last Knight | Film | Major studio franchise role that expanded her visibility. |
| 2018 | Sicario: Day of the Soldado | Film | Dramatic role in a tense studio thriller. |
| 2018 | Instant Family | Film | Comedy-drama that showcased warmth and timing in a big ensemble. |
| 2019 | Dora and the Lost City of Gold | Film | Starring role as Dora, a global family audience hit. |
| 2022 | Rosaline | Film | Fresh comedic take on Shakespeare with Merced in a key role. |
| 2024 | Madame Web | Film | Superhero franchise role as Anya Corazon. |
| 2024 | Turtles All the Way Down | Film | Lead role in the adaptation of John Green’s novel. |
| 2024 | Alien: Romulus | Film | Entry in the long-running sci-fi horror franchise. |
| 2025 | The Last of Us | TV | Plays Dina in HBO’s acclaimed series (Season 2). |
| 2025 | Superman | Film | Joins the DC Universe as Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders). |
Net Worth, Income, & Lifestyle
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2025) | Public estimates vary, and there is no single reliable figure. Her earnings come from a growing mix of film, television, voice work, and music. |
| Income Sources | Acting (film and TV), voice acting, music releases, and occasional brand partnerships. |
| Properties & Assets | Merced keeps financial details private, and verified information about properties or major assets is limited. |
| Lifestyle | Balances acting with music, and she is known for staying busy across genres, from family films to thrillers to prestige TV. |
Social Media & Online Presence
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Official account: @isabelamerced (verified). | |
| X (Twitter) | Account handle is listed as @isabelamerced. Activity may vary over time. |
| TikTok | No clearly verified official account found. Fan and clip accounts are common. |
| No clearly verified official page found. Unofficial pages may exist. | |
| YouTube | Music channel: Isabela Merced. |
| IMDb | Verified filmography at IMDb. |
| Official Website | Music site: isabelamercedmusic.com. |
| Fan Updates | Coming soon – Subscribe to follow Isabela Merced updates. |
Fan communities on social media (unofficial)
NOTE: The accounts listed above are fan-run and are not confirmed to be affiliated with Isabela Merced. Links and usernames can change at any time.
Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts
- Spanish was her first language at home, and she has spoken often about her Peruvian heritage.
- She made her Broadway debut at age 10 in the revival of Evita, alongside Ricky Martin.
- She originally worked professionally as Isabela Moner, and later adopted the surname Merced to honor her late grandmother.
- She releases music in addition to acting, and has shared official lyric videos on her YouTube channel.
- She has moved between family films, thrillers, and franchise projects, which is a big part of her long-term upside.
Quotes
“This is when I begin writing my own story as Isabela Merced.”
– Interview excerpt reported by Teen Vogue (Refinery29 interview, 2019)
“Isabela Merced represents everything that has and will continue to define me.”
– Interview excerpt reported by Teen Vogue (Refinery29 interview, 2019)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Isabela Merced’s age?
A: She was born on July 10, 2001 (24 years old as of 2026).
Q: Why did Isabela Moner change her name to Isabela Merced?
A: She adopted “Merced” professionally as a tribute to her late grandmother and to honor her heritage.
Q: What is Isabela Merced best known for?
A: Many fans know her from Nickelodeon’s 100 Things to Do Before High School, the live-action Dora and the Lost City of Gold, and HBO’s The Last of Us.
Q: Does Isabela Merced sing?
A: Yes. She releases music and has official lyric videos on her YouTube channel.
Q: What are some of Isabela Merced’s biggest recent roles?
A: Dina in The Last of Us, Hawkgirl in Superman, and roles in Alien: Romulus and Turtles All the Way Down.
Upcoming Projects
- Psyche (TBA) – A psychological horror thriller (in post-production) in which Merced stars and also serves as an executive producer.
- Camila (TBA) – A drama project with limited confirmed public details; watch for release updates as it moves toward distribution.
- Future DCU appearances (TBA) – After playing Hawkgirl in Superman and appearing in the DCU crossover space, additional DC projects may follow as the franchise expands.
Interviews & Features
- Merced has done press interviews around The Last of Us and her DCU role as Hawkgirl, discussing her approach to Dina and her franchise work.
Public Appearances & Festivals
- SXSW (March 2025): Merced appeared at the festival during promotional events in Austin, Texas.
Awards & Nominations
- NHMC Next Generation Impact Award (2025): Recognized for her growing impact and representation in media.
- Astra TV Awards (2025): Won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Last of Us.
