Isabela Merced is an accomplished American actress, singer, and performer known for her vibrant presence in television, film, and music. Born Isabela Yolanda Moner on July 10, 2001, in Cleveland, Ohio, Merced’s journey from a young stage performer to a leading Hollywood star is marked by resilience, talent, and a strong cultural identity. Since adopting her stage name in 2019 in tribute to her late grandmother Yolanda Merced, she has solidified her place as a promising young Latina talent in the entertainment industry.
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Who is Isabela Merced?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 24 years |
| Parents/ Family | Patrick Moner and Katerine hailing |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Peruvian, Slovak, Polish, and American) |
| Boyfriend/ Dating/ Husband/ Girlfriend/ Partner | To be updated |
| Ex-Boyfriends/ Past Relationships | Jace Norman, Dylan Summerall, Kiana, and Xolo Mariduena |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Height | 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters) |
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Early Life and Cultural Roots
Isabela Merced was born to Peruvian-American parents, with her mother Katerine hailing from Lima, Peru, and her father Patrick Moner from Louisiana. Spanish was Merced’s first language, and she has shared how balancing her Peruvian heritage with her Midwestern upbringing shaped her identity from a young age. She has two brothers, and by 15, she was already academically advanced enough to be accepted into college.
A pivotal moment in Merced’s early life was a traumatic fire that destroyed her family’s Cleveland home. This tragedy led her parents, inspired by Merced’s admiration for Judy Garland, to encourage her to audition for a local production of The Wizard of Oz as a Munchkin, which ignited her passion for performing. From there, she pursued formal training at the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory and moved briefly to New York City with her family to audition for Broadway roles.
Broadway Debut and Nickelodeon Stardom
Merced began her professional career at around 10 years old, making her Broadway debut in the renowned musical Evita. This early theater experience laid the foundation for her transition to screen acting. She found national recognition as the lead in Nickelodeon’s popular television series 100 Things to Do Before High School (2014-2016), where her performance earned her a dedicated young fanbase.
Hollywood Breakthrough and Film Career
Isabela’s film career took off with diverse roles demonstrating her range. She appeared in high-profile films such as Transformers: The Last Knight (2017), showing her capability in big-budget franchises, and Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018), where she acted alongside acclaimed talent including Benicio del Toro. In 2018, she also starred in the heartwarming comedy-drama Instant Family.
Her breakout lead role came in 2019 with Dora and the Lost City of Gold, a live-action adaptation of the beloved animated series Dora the Explorer. Merced’s portrayal of Dora was widely praised for its energy, authenticity, and cultural resonance, introducing her to an even broader audience and solidifying her as a role model for young Latina viewers.
Musical Talents and Artistic Expansion
Apart from acting, Merced is also a singer-songwriter. In 2019, she released her first single “Papi,” followed by a debut EP titled The Better Half of Me (2020) under Republic Records. Her music career reflects her artistic versatility and connection to her cultural roots. Billboard recognized her as one of the top new Peruvian artists to watch, highlighting her dual career in music and acting.
Recent Projects and Rising Stardom
In recent years, Isabela Merced has taken on more mature and diverse roles, expanding her profile as a dynamic actress. In 2024, she starred in Turtles All the Way Down, an adaptation of the John Green novel, and the sci-fi horror Alien: Romulus directed by Fede Álvarez. Her performance in these films demonstrated her ability to handle complex and emotionally nuanced characters.
In 2025, Merced appeared as Dina in the critically acclaimed second season of HBO’s The Last of Us, which significantly raised her stature in dramatic television. She also portrayed Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl in the DC Universe film Superman and related series Peacemaker, stepping into the superhero genre and garnering acclaim for her action roles.
Accolades and Industry Recognition
Throughout her career, Merced has received multiple awards and nominations. Among her honors are several Imagen Awards (wins in 2016, 2019, and 2020) celebrating positive portrayals of Latinos in entertainment. She has also been recognized by Teen Choice Awards, Young Entertainer Awards, and nominated for Best Actress awards for recent dramatic roles. Industry insiders and media outlets such as TVLine and Variety have named her a rising star and one of the significant young talents shaping Hollywood’s future.
Personal Identity and Advocacy
Isabela Merced is outspoken about her identity as a Latina and the importance of representation in media. She changed her stage name to honor her grandmother and embrace her Peruvian heritage publicly. Merced advocates for more opportunities for Latinos both in front of and behind the camera, reflecting her commitment to her roots and the community.
Boyfriend, Dating, and Past Relationships
Isabela Merced is currently single as of 2025 and has no husband or fiancé. Her most publicized relationship was with fellow Nickelodeon star Jace Norman, which lasted from April to November 2016. This relationship was openly shared on social media but was relatively short and likely more of a youthful experience for both stars.
Following that, she was briefly linked to Dylan Summerall in 2017, though this relationship was less publicized and its seriousness is unclear, with limited information beyond some social media photos. One of Merced’s more significant recent relationships was with a graphic designer named Kiana, lasting from about June 2021 to January 2023. During this time, Merced became more open about her queer identity, with affectionate social media photos indicating a serious relationship.
This relationship ended quietly, with Merced choosing to keep details private. There are rumors she was linked to another individual named Xolo Mariduena around 2020, but this was not confirmed as a serious relationship.
Net Worth
As of 2025, American actress and singer Isabela Merced has an estimated net worth of around $3 million. Her wealth primarily comes from her successful career in acting and music. Regarding her salary in 2025, specific figures are not publicly disclosed, but as a rising star in Hollywood with roles in both films and TV series, her earnings would come from movie contracts, TV appearances, voice acting, and music projects.
Future Projects and Aspirations
Beyond acting and music, Merced is also interested in producing and creating content. She is involved in projects with Latina directors and hopes to influence the industry by telling diverse and authentic stories that resonate with underrepresented audiences. Isabela Merced’s remarkable career trajectory showcases a young artist who is not only versatile but deeply connected to her cultural heritage.
As she continues to rise, her unique blend of talent, determination, and advocacy positions her as a leading figure in the next generation of Hollywood stars.
how old is Isabela Merced?
24 years
is Isabela Merced married?
who is Isabela Merced dating?
As of 2025, Isabela Merced is not married and is publicly reported to be single.
is Isabela Merced single?
Yes, Isabela Merced is single as of 2025. She is not publicly dating anyone and maintains a relatively private approach to her romantic life.
is Isabela Merced Latina?
Yes, Isabela Merced is Latina. She is of Peruvian heritage, with her mother being from Lima, Peru, and she learned Spanish as her first language while growing up. She has been vocal about embracing her Peruvian roots and often highlights her Latina identity in her career and social media presence