From starring on Broadway at age ten to headlining major Hollywood blockbusters, Isabela Merced has established herself as one of the most versatile and sought-after young actresses of her generation.
Formerly known professionally as Isabela Moner, the American-Peruvian actress and singer first captured national attention on Nickelodeon before transitioning seamlessly into massive film franchises. With standout roles in Transformers: The Last Knight, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Alien: Romulus, HBO’s The Last of Us, and DC Studios’ Superman, Merced’s career trajectory continues to soar.
In this comprehensive biography, we explore Isabela Merced’s net worth, age, height, family heritage, name change background, complete filmography, and upcoming blockbuster roles.
Isabela Merced Biography & Quick Profile Summary
Isabela Merced’s combination of dramatic versatility, musical talent, and screen presence has made her a prominent figure across major television and film franchises.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Isabela Yolanda Moner (Professional Name: Isabela Merced) |
| Date of Birth | July 10, 2001 |
| Age (2026) | 25 Years Old |
| Place of Birth | Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
| Heritage | Peruvian (Mother) & American (Father) |
| Height | 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 106 lbs (48 kg) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Profession | Actress, Singer, Songwriter |
| Breakout Roles | Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Alien: Romulus, Superman |
| Estimated Net Worth | 3MillionUSDto5 Million USD |
| Marital Status | Single |
Early Life, Family Heritage, and Broadway Beginnings
Isabela Yolanda Moner was born on July 10, 2001, in Cleveland, Ohio. She is the daughter of Katherine Merced, who was born in Lima, Peru, and Patrick Moner, who was born in Louisiana. Isabela has two brothers, Jared and Gyovanni.
Spanish was Isabela’s first language, and she has frequently spoken about growing up immersed in Peruvian culture, traditions, and cuisine. She struggled with English when she first began primary school in Ohio, but quickly mastered both languages, developing a deep pride in her bi-cultural identity.
Driven by a passion for performing, Merced began acting in local community theater at age six. Her major big-stage breakthrough came at age ten when she landed a role in the Broadway revival of Evita, performing in Spanish alongside music icon Ricky Martin.
Acting Career: From Nickelodeon Star to Hollywood Blockbusters
After her Broadway debut, Merced moved to Los Angeles to pursue full-time television and film work.
Nickelodeon Era
In 2014, Merced landed her first major lead television role as CJ Martin on the hit Nickelodeon comedy series 100 Things to Do Before High School. Her charismatic performance earned her widespread recognition among young audiences and won her an Imagen Award for Best Young Actor in 2016.
Transition to Major Feature Films
Merced quickly transitioned from youth television to high-stakes Hollywood cinema:
- Transformers: The Last Knight (2017): Cast by director Michael Bay as Izabella, a street-smart orphan, marking her first multi-hundred-million-dollar studio blockbuster.
- Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018): Delivered a critically praised performance as Isabela Reyes, the stubborn daughter of a drug cartel kingpin, acting alongside Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin.
- Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019): Starred as the live-action title character Dora, winning widespread acclaim for carrying the family adventure film to global box office success.
- Sweet Girl (2021): Starred opposite Jason Momoa in Netflix’s action thriller as a daughter seeking justice for her mother’s death.
- Madame Web (2024): Joined Sony’s Spider-Man Universe as Anya Corazon.
The Franchise Powerhouse Era
By 2024, Merced had secured roles in three of the largest entertainment franchises in Hollywood history:
- Alien: Romulus (2024): Starred as Kay in Fede Álvarez’s hit sci-fi horror film, which grossed over $350 million USD worldwide.
- The Last of Us Season 2 (HBO): Cast as Dina, a central romantic interest and companion to Ellie (Bella Ramsey) in HBO’s critically acclaimed video game adaptation.
- Superman (2025 – DCU): Cast by director James Gunn to play Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl in DC Studios’ flagship universe reboot.
Why She Changed Her Name from Moner to Merced
In late 2019, Isabela officially announced that she was changing her professional stage name from Isabela Moner to Isabela Merced.
She made the decision to honor her late maternal grandmother, Yolanda Merced Salazar Pittman, who had passed away. Merced explained in interviews that her grandmother was a fearless Peruvian woman who brought her family to the United States. Adopting her grandmother’s surname was a way to maintain a deep personal connection to her Peruvian roots as her Hollywood profile expanded.
As of 2026, Isabela Merced’s estimated net worth ranges between 3 Milion USD and 5 Million USD.
Her financial growth reflects a steady progression from youth television actor to lead feature film performer:
- Film Salaries: Early supporting roles in studio films paid between150,000 USD and 350,000 USD. Her lead and major ensemble roles in blockbusters like Dora, Alien: Romulus, and DC Studios’ Superman command upfront salaries between 750,000USDand1.5 Million USD.
- Television & Streaming Compensation: Major recurring roles in high-budget HBO productions like The Last of Us provide substantial per-episode fees and long-term residual income.
- Music Career: In addition to acting, Merced released her debut musical EP the inclination of her in 2019 and collaborated with Latin pop stars like Sebastián Yatra (“Papi”).
Physical Appearance: Height, Weight, and Stats
Isabela Merced is celebrated for her distinct style, expressive features, and natural screen presence:
- Height in Feet: 5 feet 1 inch
- Height in Meters: 1.55 m
- Height in Centimeters: 155 cm
- Weight: Approximately 106 lbs (48 kg)
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
Complete Isabela Merced Filmography and Television Roles
The table below details Isabela Merced’s major acting credits across feature films and television series:
| Year | Title | Role | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Growing Up Fisher | Jenny | TV Series | Recurring Role (7 Episodes) |
| 2014–2016 | 100 Things to Do Before High School | CJ Martin | TV Series | Lead Role (Nickelodeon) |
| 2015 | Splitting Adam | Lori Collins | TV Movie | Nickelodeon Original |
| 2017 | Transformers: The Last Knight | Izabella | Feature Film | Major Studio Film Debut |
| 2017 | The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature | Heather | Animated Film | Voice Role |
| 2018 | Sicario: Day of the Soldado | Isabela Reyes | Feature Film | Co-Lead Role |
| 2018 | Instant Family | Lizzy | Feature Film | Starring Role |
| 2019 | Dora and the Lost City of Gold | Dora | Feature Film | Title Role Lead |
| 2019 | Let It Snow | Julie | Feature Film | Netflix Original Film |
| 2021 | Spirit Untamed | Lucky Prescott | Animated Film | Lead Voice Role |
| 2021 | Sweet Girl | Rachel Cooper | Feature Film | Co-Lead (Netflix) |
| 2022 | Father of the Bride | Cora Herrera | Feature Film | HBO Max Remake |
| 2022 | Rosaline | Juliet | Feature Film | Hulu Original |
| 2024 | Madame Web | Anya Corazon | Feature Film | Sony Spider-Man Universe |
| 2024 | Turtles All the Way Down | Aza Holmes | Feature Film | Max Original Lead |
| 2024 | Alien: Romulus | Kay | Feature Film | Sci-Fi Horror Blockbuster |
| 2025 | The Last of Us (Season 2) | Dina | TV Series | HBO Main Cast |
| 2025 | Superman | Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl | Feature Film | DC Universe (DCU) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Isabela Merced?
Isabela Merced stands at 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) tall.
What is Isabela Merced’s real name?
Her birth name is Isabela Yolanda Moner. In 2019, she adopted the stage surname Merced to honor her late Peruvian grandmother, Yolanda Merced Salazar Pittman.
What is Isabela Merced’s net worth?
As of 2026, Isabela Merced’s estimated net worth is between 3MillionUSDand3MillionUSDand5 Million USD, earned through her work in feature films, television series, and musical projects.
Is Isabela Merced in Superman?
Yes. Isabela Merced plays Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl in James Gunn’s flagship DC Studios film Superman.
Final Thoughts & Disclaimer
From her Broadway childhood to securing roles in Alien, The Last of Us, and Superman, Isabela Merced has proven herself to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile talents. Her proud bi-cultural heritage and sharp career choices ensure she will remain a major box-office force for years to come.
