Everything You Need to Know About 'The Last of Us' Star Isabela Merced

Isabela Merced is having a major moment. At just 23 years old, the actress and singer is steadily building an impressive resumé, with roles that span from Broadway to prestige TV.

Before she gained attention in The Last of Us, Merced was already carving out her place in Hollywood, starring in major films like Transformers: The Last Knight, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, and Dora and the Lost City of Gold. With each performance, her reputation grew—paving the way for the breakout success she’s experiencing today.

Now, fans are tuning in weekly to watch her bring Dina—Ellie’s love interest—to life on screen, while anticipation builds for her next major role as Hawkgirl in the upcoming Superman film, hitting theaters this July. With her star rising fast, Merced is proving she’s one to watch.

Curious to learn more about Hollywood’s newest It-girl? Keep reading for everything you need to know about Isabela Merced.

Her birth name is Isabela Yolanda Moner

In 2019, Isabela Moner officially changed her stage name to Isabela Merced, honoring her late grandmother, Yolanda Merced Salazar. The name change also symbolized a new chapter in her career, as she stepped more fully into her identity as both an actress and a singer.

She was on Broadway 

Isabela Merced made her Broadway debut at just 10 years old in the 2012 production of Evita. Her early start on stage paved the way for her transition into television and film, where she gained attention for her starring role in Nickelodeon’s 100 Things to Do Before High School.

She began acting at six years old 

Although Isabela Merced may be a fresh face to some, she’s no newcomer to the spotlight. The actress has been honing her craft since she was just six years old, getting her start in local theater productions in Ohio before making her way to Broadway—and eventually Hollywood.

Spanish was her first language

Spanish was Merced’s first language, growing up with a Peruvian mother and a father from Louisiana. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she has openly shared that she initially struggled with English in school.

She is a singer and songwriter 

In addition to acting, Merced is an accomplished singer and songwriter, with over 400,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and her latest single, "Cuffing Season," was released in December 2024. One of her songs, "Fearless," is featured in the soundtrack for the animated film Spirit Untamed. In addition to her singing and Latin influences, she also plays the ukulele.