It’s a brisk autumn afternoon, the stage lights dim in Mentor’s auditorium. A young actress stands just behind the curtains, the center stage humming to her with potential. Her heart pounds, perhaps not simply with nerves, but with purpose. With each footfall, she nears closer to a sea of expectant faces. Her hair is braided in two along her sides, and her dress glimmers as the promising lights direct towards her. Suddenly her entire body is filled with that same nervous excitement that once filled another Cleveland girl: Isabela Merced.
Long before she lit up the screens of Hollywood blockbusters and award-winning shows, before the red carpets and interviews, Merced was just another Midwest girl with a dream born in the modest area of West Park, Cleveland. The same dream echoes in the hearts of Mentor’s aspiring actresses. Merced stands as a beacon of hope for teenagers in Northeast Ohio, her journey a testament to how a dream, courage, and an open heart will take you from the smallest hometown to the biggest stage.
Where the Dreamer Took Root
Isabela Merced was born in West Park, Ohio, on July 10th, 2001, to a Peruvian mother and Louisiana father. Early in her life, a seed of passion for performance was planted in her. Many people have quoted her as saying she started singing as a baby. Later she would discover her love for acting.
Unfortunately, her first experience came about as a result of her childhood home burning down due to an electrical fire. She recalls that her parents, in an effort to healthily divert her mind to something else, asked her if she wanted to audition for a Lakewood production of The Wizard of Oz. Merced, a devoted fan of Judy Garland, leapt at the offer like a spark to a flame driven by her aspiration to be cast as Dorothy. While not cast as Dorothy, she landed a spot as a Munchkin.
Merced was home schooled through an Ohio Virtual Academy, which allowed her to begin acting at such a young age; however, it soon became apparent that her talent and ambition were outgrowing the bounds of her local theater. So Merced’s parents made the bold decision to pack their bags and move to the dazzling city of New York, determined to nurture their daughter’s passion.
Now only 10 years old, Merced made her Broadway debut singing in a production of Evita. When interviewed by the EFE in 2012 about her debut, she said, “I always thought Broadway wasn’t for me and that people on Broadway were very talented; I never thought that I was talented.” Over the next few years, she took on a variety of roles on stage and on set, such as the TV show 100 Things to Do Before High School, which she acted in from 2014 to 2016.
From Cleveland to the Screen: Breakout Roles
Isabela’s breakout was being cast in Transformers: The Last Knight in 2017. This career launching role opened many doors for Merced, which led her to be cast in the main roles in movies like Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Madame Web, and a growing list of other star-making films. Still, through it all, Merced credits her Northeast Ohio upbringing for giving her significant leverage when it came to Hollywood auditions.
She told cleveland.com, “Being from Cleveland, you have that Midwestern kindness that people appreciate in the industry.” She also said in another interview with Cleveland.com she reflected, ”I’m proud to be from Cleveland. It keeps me grounded. People here are real, and I try to carry that with me.”
This warmth, humility, and groundedness which Merced brings to every set is something that directors repeatedly praise. Beyond that, Merced is known for her welcoming presence and the sociability she builds with her cast-mates like Bella Ramsey, a quality she believes strengthens their on-screen chemistry. It’s not just Merced’s talent that makes her shine; it’s the person she is behind the scenes and the person she is when the spotlight fades.
Leap to Stardom
Merced is now best known for playing the role of Dina in The Last of Us. In the show, Merced portrays Dina, a member of a tightly-knit survivor community in Jackson, Wyoming. Her character, much like her, is a compassionate, funny, and perhaps slightly mischievous person. Merced, based on the few episodes of season two that are out right now, has done an outstanding job. She has evolved the emotional depth of the character from the game by exploring the different angles of vulnerability, love, and loss that the characters face.
Flying Home: A Hero Returns to Cleveland
Returning to the start, Merced recently came to Cleveland as a part of filming the upcoming Superman film. Merced posted upon returning and seemed excited to portray the fierce and iconic Hawkgirl. While the details remain somewhat hidden, she likely was among the cast who filmed at Headlands Beach right here in Mentor. Also in early glimpses from the trailer, Hawkgirl is seen soaring past Cleveland’s Key Tower, a striking clip that symbolizes just how far Merced has come and yet how closely she still holds her hometown dreams.
Rising with Pride: Paying Homage to Her Heritage
For Merced, her Peruvian heritage has never been just a part of her identity; it’s the driving force in her success. She has explained in press releases for The Last of Us that her heritage is a unique combination.
“Being a Peruvian Ohioan is a very unique little category that I don’t think a lot of people can relate to,” Merced says.
Merced has made sure to consistently honor her roots, both on and off screen. Whether she’s speaking Spanish in interviews, embracing traditional Peruvian food, or portraying characters with complex cultural identities, she brings authenticity and depth that stand out from mundane performances. She explained in an interview, “So I have my own perspective that I bring and my own edge and sazón that I apply.” Adding on with her method for character development, she explains, ”You know, in order to really bring a character to life, you just have to infuse them with as much personality and personal aspects as possible.”
Specifically, stepping into the character of Dina, who in The Last of Us video game is Jewish, we anticipate Merced will bring a new depth. The character, having her own layered background, allows Merced to bring her sensitivity to culture and character in a way few actresses can match. Merced’s heritage doesn’t just inform her performances; it’s a tool with which she strengthens them. She embodies the stories with such grandeur and sentiment because of her lived understanding of identity. In doing so, she’s shown young actresses everywhere that embracing yourself is not just powerful; it’s a boundless strength.
Message to Aspiring Actresses and Dreamers at MHS
Resilience, humility, and pride—these are the traits that Merced has perpetually credited for her success. Growing up, Merced didn’t know that she would make it in Hollywood, but she has always been proud of where she is from. Letting her parents support her became a huge catalyst for her growth. She also draws strength from the support system that has been built among her cast-mates, which she believes allows them to deliver the performances that fans expect.
Merced’s rigorous work ethic and compassion send a message to all Northeast Ohio kids: Be who you are and immerse yourself in your life, and these experiences will shine through in the roles you play. Isabela Merced’s journey from a Midwesterner to Hollywood star is more than just a story; it is a blueprint to your own success.
For every student at Mentor schools who dreams of acting, singing, or making an impact through the arts, let Merced’s journey and talent be a reminder: talent can come from anywhere. You don’t have to be born in L.A. or New York or come from a family with industry connections. What matters most is authentic passion, perseverance, and the courage to tackle your dreams, even when that path seems uncertain. Merced’s rise from her small town of West Park to the big screen proves that greatness is not something that is reserved for the few but something that is earned by the many who are willing to work hard and stay true to themselves. Every creative risk is a stepping stone.
So take the stage, write the song, and audition fearlessly, because the next star from Cleveland isn’t just a fantasy.
It could be you.
