As I delve into the captivating world of Isabela Merced, I am truly in awe of her meteoric rise to fame. From Broadway to superhero movies, this young actress has proven time and again that she’s got what it takes to command our screens.
Recently, a wave of exceptional young actors and actresses are making their mark in Hollywood. Some argue that the era of traditional “movie stars” might be behind us, given that most big-budget films focus on exploiting intellectual property rather than showcasing the lead actor or actress. However, Sydney Sweeney has expanded her acting resume following “Euphoria,” while Glen Powell has been entertaining fans since “Spy Kids 3” and “Twisters.” Another up-and-coming talent to watch is Isabela Merced, who has already appeared in numerous projects and is poised for even greater success in the future.
Merced’s path to the silver screen can be traced back to a distressing experience. As a young girl, a fire consumed her family’s home in Cleveland. Instead of dwelling on the loss, her parents encouraged her to try out for a stage production – “The Wizard of Oz.” This experience turned out to be just what she needed, and though she aspired to play Dorothy, Merced confessed, “I ended up portraying a Munchkin, but it was still enjoyable.”
In other words, although Merced missed out on playing Dorothy many years back, it didn’t take long before she was securing leading roles in both TV shows and movies. You could almost say that Merced’s career has risen magnificently from the embers of that old challenge.
Isabela Merced debuted on Broadway at just 10 years old
Actress Isabela Merced, formerly known as Isabela Moner during her early career, legally changed her stage name to Isabela Merced in the year 2019. She unveiled her acting prowess at a tender age and pursued formal training at Ohio’s Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory. It was here that she crossed paths with Fred Sternfeld, a Broadway producer who nurtured her talent and persuaded her mother to explore opportunities in New York City. Seizing the opportunity, Merced’s mother moved to New York, where Isabela landed a role in a Claritin commercial and shared the stage with Ricky Martin in a Broadway revival of “Evita” at just 10 years old.
In the musical “Evita,” Merced found an opportunity to explore her Latino heritage, as her mother is Peruvian. Being immersed in aspects of this culture from a young age made Spanish her first language. However, the switch to English at school proved challenging. She recounted feeling compelled to conceal her identity, as she expressed in a YouTube video. “For some time, I refused to speak Spanish with anyone and only spoke English,” she admitted. “I regret this now.”
Today, Merced takes pride in her heritage and serves as an inspiration for many by addressing events like Unicef’s World Children’s Day. Since the start of her career, particularly with “Evita,” she has increased Hispanic representation among the public, all while demonstrating her exceptional abilities across various mediums.
Her first movie role was The House That Jack Built
At only 10 years old, Isabela Merced had already made a significant mark on Broadway. From there, she continued to pursue acting earnestly. Her initial film role was in “The House That Jack Built,” which is not to be confused with the 2018 serial killer film of the same name directed by Lars von Trier. Instead, this refers to the 2013 movie where Isabela made her screen debut.
This movie, heavily focused on New York, tells the story of Jack Maldonado (E.J. Bonilla), a drug dealer who buys an entire apartment building for his family to reside in. Although he has noble ideas, life soon becomes complicated, with Jack’s true business operations and familial relationships both facing turbulence. He strives to keep these aspects of his life apart, but a clash is unavoidable.
In this production, Merced takes on the role of a younger Nadia, Jack’s sister, while Rosal Colon portrays the adult version. Although her screen time is limited, it signifies the commencement of her career in acting. Moreover, this opportunity further builds upon her previous work in “Evita” on Broadway, where she has consistently been cast in roles that highlight Hispanic culture.
She landed a lead role on 100 Things to Do Before High School
A bit part in a movie is one thing, but it didn’t take long for Isabela Merced to enter lead actor status thanks to the Nickelodeon series “100 Things To Do Before High School.” The show follows a group of three middle school friends, led by Merced’s CJ Martin, who have big plans for themselves before they get to high school. Most importantly, CJ wants to be certain that the three of them don’t grow apart as they transition into this new phase of life, which tends to happen to everyone as they get older.
As a gamer, I found myself deeply connecting with my character in the game. Speaking to Variety Latino, I shared, “I find it easy to relate because, like my character, we value friendships and connections. I strongly feel that everyone deserves kindness, regardless of the circumstances. I think everyone should get a chance.” The series premiered with a special 43-minute episode back in 2014, followed by a full season launch in 2015.
The short-lived series “100 Things To Do Before High School” served as a significant stepping stone in Merced’s career, opening doors in more than just acting. Apart from starring in the show, she lent her voice to its theme song, “Brand New Day,” which not only boosted her popularity but also ignited her burgeoning singing career. Given her background in musical theater, this multi-talented individual had a solid foundation for success in the music industry as well.
Isabela Merced began a music career
During the period when Isabela Merced was starring in “100 Things To Do Before High School,” she also started her career as a singer. This shouldn’t be surprising since Merced has a strong background in theater. Her first album, “Stopping Time,” came out in 2015, and over the years, she released music videos on YouTube. In 2020, she even released an EP titled “The Better Half of Me.”
In a conversation with YouTuber Zoe Cannella, Merced shared that her passion for music came before her interest in acting. “I’ve been writing songs since I was very young,” she said. “Music has always held a special place in my heart.” She further discussed how she found success in acting, but it was music that had to step back. However, around 2015, the timing felt right for her to rekindle her musical career.
Merced credits a large part of her passion to the late artist Selena Quintanilla and the movie “Selena,” where Jennifer Lopez gave a mostly true depiction of the singer’s life. In an interview with Teen Vogue, Merced stated, “I believe I wouldn’t have been as self-assured, being a young Latina entering Hollywood amidst sharks, so thank you, Selena.”
She moved to blockbusters with Transformers: The Last Knight
Isabela Merced became a part of one of the most prominent franchises of the 21st century when she secured the role of Izabella in “Transformers: The Last Knight” released in 2017. Izabella is a street-smart young character who grows up amidst the ruins of destroyed Chicago alongside her Transformer companion, Sqweeks (voiced by Reno Wilson). As the story progresses, she teams up with Cade (Mark Wahlberg) and Bumblebee, offering a youthful dynamism and distinct viewpoint. In an interview with ScreenRant, Merced described Izabella as a character who was raised by humans but also lived among Transformers, making her a unique bridge in a world often divided between humans and these extraordinary beings.
“Transformers: The Last Knight” was Michael Bay’s final Transformers movie, and the character of Izabella gives off a vibe similar to the 2007 film. Back then, Sam Witwicky (played by Shia LaBeouf) was our teenage hero. Now, Merced’s portrayal of Izabella seems like an effort to recapture that youthful spirit from the original movie.
Prior to reaching the age of eighteen, Merced had already had the opportunity to perform alongside well-known figures in Hollywood, such as Wahlberg. This collaboration proved beneficial, leading to their reunion on the 2018 film, “Instant Family.”
Isabela Merced stayed in the action genre with Sicario 2
It so happened that Isabela Merced took on a role in another sequel featuring a character with a name similar to hers. In 2018, she was seen in “Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” a film that, like its predecessor, portrays the U.S. government’s efforts to control Mexican cartels. The plot involves Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) kidnapping Isabel Reyes (Merced), the daughter of a powerful drug lord. However, when Isabel witnesses American officials murdering Mexican police officers, Graver is instructed to eliminate her. But the character from the first film, Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro), breaks ranks and decides to safeguard her instead.
“Sicario: Day of the Soldado” predominantly falls into the action genre, but it tackles more serious themes like human trafficking compared to a movie like “Transformers”. According to Merced, she found solace in having a dog on set and support from her high-profile co-stars. She shared that Benicio Del Toro took pride in her performance and commended her for her courage. He was particularly kind and considerate, showing more compassion than expected.
It appears that “Sicario 3” is being developed, with a tentative title of “Sicario: Capos.” This could hint at significant developments for del Toro’s character. However, it’s uncertain if the actress, whose career has blossomed significantly in recent years, will be available to rejoin the series due to her busy schedule.
Isabela Merced returned to Nickelodeon as Dora the Explorer
Isabela Merced experienced a significant career advancement, thanks to Nickelodeon. Not only did she star as the main character in “100 Things To Do Before High School,” but she also lent her voice to the character Kate on the TV series “Dora and Friends: Into the City!”. This show was a follow-up to the original “Dora the Explorer” series, and while Merced played one of Dora’s friends in the original series, she had the opportunity to play the title role herself in the live-action film “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.”
The film skillfully captured what made the initial animated series appealing and offered an exciting journey suitable for everyone in the household. It stands out as one of the top-notch PG-rated mystery movies, and to Merced, it signifies something particularly meaningful. She shared with the New York Daily News, “It’s rare to find a cast like this, or at least a Latina female lead who feels authentic. The Spanish dialogue flows seamlessly.”
1. In the movie “Dora and the Lost City of Gold,” actress Isabela Moner was credited for the last time, giving her an opportunity to collaborate with notable Latino stars such as Michael Peña and Eva Longoria. Her co-star from “Sicario,” Benicio del Toro, provided voiceover for Swiper, while Jeff Wahlberg (nephew of Mark Wahlberg) portrayed Diego. It appears that no matter where Merced travels, a Wahlberg isn’t too far off.
Merced tested the superhero genre with Madame Web
Eventually, it seems as if every notable Hollywood actor takes on a superhero role at some point. Isabela Merced entered this genre with the 2024 film “Madame Web,” portraying Anya Corazón, also known as Spider-Girl and Araña in the comics. However, much of her character’s past isn’t crucial to the movie, which centers around three girls who are destined to develop spider-related powers later on. While we see Merced in costume for a few forward glimpses, she spends most of the film evading Ezekiel Sims (played by Tahar Rahim), who aims to eliminate the girls due to their special abilities.
In the film “Madame Web”, Merced found it unimportant that audiences seldom saw Anya or any character in costume. She told The Wrap, “I enjoy the hint of mystery and I like leaving viewers wanting more.” However, whether viewers will get more is uncertain, given the movie’s poor box office reception. Yet, with superhero films increasingly exploring multiverses, Merced may still have a role in the Spider-Verse.
“Currently, ‘Madame Web’ showcases a number of exceptionally gifted young actresses from Hollywood, such as Merced, Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, and Celeste O’Connor. Notably, Merced is set to return to the superhero playground in future projects.”
She proved she’s a scream queen in Alien: Romulus
Throughout her career, Isabela Merced has dabbled in numerous genres, from family-friendly comedies to action flicks. 2024 saw her branch out into other types of movies, with the aforementioned superhero film “Madame Web” and the science fiction-horror sequel, “Alien: Romulus.” Merced plays Kay, a pregnant member of the team who wants to seek out a better life for herself and her unborn child. Sadly, that never comes to pass. After an injection of a mysterious black ooze derived from xenomorph DNA, Kay gives birth to a horrific human-alien hybrid that ends up killing its mother.
Merced teased an “Alien: Romulus” scene that was too gross for the cast before the movie came out, and we can likely guess Kay’s birthing scene is what she was talking about. It’s a wild swing for the final act that brings one more monster into the mix for the remaining characters to contend with. Kay may not get a cool action set piece like Rain (Cailee Spaeny), but she’s arguably one of the most integral cast members, as she exemplifies themes of the “Alien” franchise that have been there since the beginning concerning sexual and reproductive politics.
In her conversation with The Wrap, Merced revealed one method she uses to tackle the stress that comes with being part of a well-established franchise like “Alien: Romulus”. She simply advised, “Just enjoy yourself, really.” She added, “Trust your instincts and have fun. I’m quite skilled at that. I believe I have a lot of fun and I relish every moment, or at least I strive to.”
Isabela Merced has big things coming up
Isabela Merced has climbed her way from the stage to television, and now she’s part of some of the most renowned franchises globally. The year 2024 was a standout for her, with 2025 promising even greater success. To kick things off, Merced secured the role of Dina in Season 2 of “The Last of Us.” The showrunners, Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin, shared with The Hollywood Reporter that Merced was ideal for the part. They described Dina as being warm, intelligent, wild, humorous, principled, potentially dangerous, and instantly endearing. According to them, instead of searching for an actor who could convincingly portray all these traits, you can simply find Isabela Merced immediately.
2025 promises an exciting addition for Merced as she steps into the role of Hawkgirl in James Gunn’s “Superman”. While some fans have expressed displeasure over photos of her costume from the set, it’s essential to keep in mind that the film is far from revealing its full potential. With new costumes possible and a fresh start for DC’s cinematic universe, Merced may revisit this character across various upcoming projects.
Even though Isabela Merced has already built an impressive career over ten years, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that she is still quite young. With much more to achieve, we eagerly anticipate even greater success and continued excellence from this promising acting talent.
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2024-08-31 14:31