Isabela Merced, born Isabela Yolanda Moner on July 10, 2001, in Cleveland, Ohio, is an American-Peruvian actress and singer. She is the daughter of Katherine, who hails from Lima, Peru, and Patrick Moner, originally from Louisiana. Spanish was her first language, and she faced challenges with English when she started school, often expressing that she feels more Peruvian than American. Isabela has two brothers and was accepted into college at the age of 15.

Her acting journey began after a fire destroyed her family's home in Cleveland. To distract her from the loss, her parents encouraged her to audition for a local production of "The Wizard of Oz," where she was cast as a Munchkin.

This experience ignited her passion for acting, leading her to the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory. Broadway producer Fred Sternfeld saw her potential and persuaded her mother to take her to New York for auditions. This move paid off when she booked her first job, a Claritin commercial, on what was supposed to be her last day in New York.

Isabela Merced made her Broadway debut at age ten in a production of "Evita," where she performed in Spanish alongside Ricky Martin. Her first major television role came as CJ Martin in the Nickelodeon series "100 Things to Do Before High School," which aired from 2014 to 2016.

She also voiced Kate in the "Dora the Explorer" spinoff, "Dora and Friends: Into the City!" from 2014 to 2017. Her film debut was in "The House That Jack Built" (2013), but she gained significant recognition for her roles in "Transformers: The Last Knight" (2017), "Instant Family" (2018), and "Sicario: Day of the Soldado" (2018).

In 2019, she starred as the titular character in "Dora and the Lost City of Gold," a role that brought her widespread acclaim. She continued to build her filmography with roles in "Let It Snow" (2019), "Sweet Girl" (2021), and "Father of the Bride" (2022). Her recent projects include "Turtles All the Way Down" (2024) and "Alien: Romulus" (2024).

Her lifestyle reflects her diverse heritage and her love for both American and Peruvian cultures. She often shares insights into her personal life through social media, where she connects with fans and showcases her interests in music, dance, and fashion.

Throughout her career, Isabela Merced has received several awards and nominations, recognizing her talent and contributions to the entertainment industry.