Isabela Merced: From Child Star to Leading Lady
Isabela Moner, known professionally as Isabela Merced, was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 10, 2001. From an early age, Isabela showed a passion and talent for singing and acting.
When she was just 10 years old, Isabela landed her first acting role in the Broadway production of “Evita” starring Ricky Martin. This kickstarted her career as a professional child actor.
Broadway Debut in “Evita”
Isabela’s Broadway debut as young Peron’s mistress in “Evita” marked an auspicious beginning to her acting career. Though only a background role, performing on the iconic Broadway stage ignited Isabela’s passion for musical theater.
Isabela’s theatrical performances
| Production | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| “Evita” | Young Peron’s Mistress | 2011 |
| “The Sound of Music” | Brigitta Von Trapp | 2013 |
| “School of Rock” | Tomika | 2015 |
The experience paved the way for more substantive theatrical roles showcasing Isabela’s talents.
Expanding on Stage Roles
Fresh off her Broadway debut, Isabela landed her first named role in 2013 as Brigitta Von Trapp in NBC’s televised live production of the musical “The Sound of Music” starring Carrie Underwood. Her performance earned positive reviews, with The New York Times raving about her “chirpy child star quality.”
This was followed by her 2015 role as bass guitarist Tomika in the Broadway musical “School of Rock.” Isabela delivered a standout performance, earning a Grammy nomination for the cast recording.
Table 2. Awards and nominations
| Year | Award / Nomination | Production | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Grammy Nomination – Best Musical Theater Album | “School of Rock” | Nominated |
| 2016 | Imagen Award – Best Young Actress in a Television Series | “100 Things to Do Before High School” | Won |
With these diverse stage roles, Isabela displayed impressive range and cemented her status as an up-and-coming child star.
Transition to Screen Roles
While building her stage resume, Isabela simultaneously began booking roles on popular Nickelodeon and Disney Channel youth television series. These roles allowed her to transition her talents to the screen and reach wider mainstream audiences.
Breakout Role on “100 Things to Do Before High School”
Isabela’s breakout screen role came via the 2014 Nickelodeon comedy series “100 Things to Do Before High School.” As one of the show’s young protagonists, Isabela’s lively portrayal earned praise and awards recognition. She won the Imagen Award for Best Young Actress in a comedy series in 2016.
Notable early television roles
| Show | Network | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| “100 Things to Do Before High School” | Nickelodeon | CJ Martin | 2014-2016 |
| “Dora and Friends: Into the City” | Nickelodeon | Dora | 2014-2017 |
| “Elena of Avalor” | Disney Channel | Princess Isabel | 2016-2018 |
“100 Things to Do Before High School” cemented Isabela as a bankable young sitcom star. But even bigger screen roles laid ahead to showcase the full breadth of her talents.
Entry into Film and Voice Acting
As a multitalented performer, Isabela leveraged her television fame to expand into film and voice acting.
In 2018, she voiced the lead role in Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer” animated film “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.” This high-profile part displayed her aptitude as a voice artist.
That same year, she starred as Lizzy in the family comedy film “Sicario: Day of the Soldado.” This marked her entry into major theatrical films.
Career Highlights and Recent Projects
Now over 20 films and shows into her young career, Isabela Merced has seamlessly transitioned from an acclaimed child star into a versatile leading lady tackling more mature roles across mediums.
Starring Role in “Sweet Girl”
In 2021’s action thriller film “Sweet Girl” available on Netflix, Merced stars alongside Jason Momoa as his vengeance-seeking daughter. She trained extensively for demanding physical role, proving her dedication and range as a rising film star.
Recent notable roles
| Production | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| “Sweet Girl” (film) | Rachel Cooper | 2021 |
| “Father of the Bride” (film) | Sofia | 2022 |
| “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” (upcoming film) | Elena | 2023 |
The big-budget Netflix film marked a major career milestone for Merced.
Upcoming Lead Role in Major Franchise Film
Merced continues to take on leading roles in 2023, including the female co-lead in “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.”
As Elena, Merced will help launch the next era of the blockbuster Transformers film franchise opposite star Anthony Ramos. Landing such a prominent role in a guaranteed box office smash represents the continuation of her ascent as a versatile film actress.
Highest Grossing Latina Actress
With over $500 million in box office receipts already in her young career, Merced already ranks as one of the highest grossing Latina actresses of all time according to online databases.
Highest grossing Latina actresses
| Actress | Total box office gross | Highest grossing role |
|---|---|---|
| Isabela Merced | $547 million | Dora, “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” (2019) |
| Eiza Gonzalez | $1.4 billion | Madame M, “Hobbs & Shaw” (2019) |
| Sofia Vergara | $3 billion | Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, “Modern Family” (2009‐2020) TV series |
At just 21 years of age, Merced seems poised to continue climbing up all-time box office charts.
Looking Ahead
Even after over a decade in the entertainment industry, Isabela Merced remains at the dawn of an extremely promising career. With acclaimed performances across mediums already under belt, the future looks bright for Merced to achieve leading lady status.
Upcoming Projects
Merced has multiple high-profile film and television projects upcoming to showcase her talents:
- “The Trouble With Maggie Cole” miniseries
- “Signal Hill” drama film
- Untitled “Dora the Explorer” live-action series
- Additional franchise films likely to be announced
Isabela Merced’s Acting Resume
| Year | Age | Production | Role | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 10 years old | “Evita” | Young Peron’s Mistress | Broadway |
| 2013 | 12 years old | “The Sound of Music Live!” | Brigitta Von Trapp | TV movie |
| 2015 | 14 years old | “School of Rock” | Tomika | Broadway |
| 2016 | 15 years old | “Elena of Avalor“ | Princess Isabel | TV series |
| 2018 | 17 years old | “Sicario: Day of the Soldado“ | Lizzy | Feature film |
| 2019 | 18 years old | “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” | Dora | Feature film |
| 2021 | 20 years old | “Sweet Girl“ | Rachel Cooper | Netflix film |
| 2022 | 21 years old | “Father of the Bride“ | Sofia | Feature film |
| 2023 | 22 years old | “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts“ | Elena | Major franchise film |
Merced seems sure to continue landing marquee leading roles.
Her upcoming slate allows Merced to showcase her matured skills while expanding her fanbase.
Poised for Hollywood Stardom
Given her early precociousness honed as a child star coupled with her rare versatility across mediums, Isabela Merced appears primed for a successful leap to Hollywood stardom.
She has already toppled barriers as one of the most prominent young Latina actors working today. With beauty, talent and charisma, the sky seems the limit for Merced as she writes the next chapters in her storybook career. Expect her to continue captivating audiences across generations as a bona fide multi-hyphenate star for years to come.
Conclusion
In just over a decade since her auspicious Broadway debut as a precocious 10-year old in “Evita”, Isabela Merced has dazzlingly transitioned from an acclaimed child star into a versatile, rising Hollywood leading lady.
With outstanding performances across mediums from stage to screens big and small, Merced has top-lined major feature films, voiced starmaking animated roles, and earned critical and commercial plaudits for her mature portrayals in recent years.
Already boasting chart-topping box office receipts and a string of buzzy upcoming projects, the 21-year old wunderkind seems destined for stratospheric stardom while blazing trails for young Latina talent in an industry bereft of representation.
Buoyed by prodigious talents honed from childhood, Merced stands poised to ascend into the Hollywood firmament for decades to come as the next generation’s consummate multi-hyphenate. With beauty, intellect and creative passions, there is no limit on what this dynamo can achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions given below:
How old was Isabela Merced when she started acting?
Isabela Merced began acting professionally on Broadway at age 10 when she was cast in “Evita” starring Ricky Martin in 2011. This marked the start of her life as a performer.
What was Isabela’s first big role?
While starring on Broadway in “Evita” and “School of Rock”, Isabela Merced’s big breakout role came on television as CJ Martin in Nickelodeon’s “100 Things to Do Before High School“ from 2014–2016.
What awards has Isabela Merced won?
Isabela won an Imagen Award for Best Young Actress in a comedy television series for “100 Things to Do Before High School” in 2016. She’s also earned other nominations like a Grammy nod for Best Musical Theater album for “School of Rock.”
How much money have Isabela’s movies made?
According to online databases, Isabela Merced’s films have grossed over $500 million to date, putting her already among the highest grossing Latina actresses ever. Her biggest box office hit remains 2019’s “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.”
What is Isabela’s background and nationality?
Born Isabela Moner in Ohio, Merced is of American, Peruvian, and Spanish descent. She changed her professional name to Merced as a nod to her Peruvian heritage when transitioning into more mature acting roles.