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Isabela Merced has become the year’s breakout star. The young Peruvian-American actress is one of the driving forces behind the second season of HBO’s The Last of Us, which has rocketed to the top of pop culture, dominating ratings and social feeds with a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Much of that praise and success rests on Merced’s radiant role as Dina. From her first scene, her quick-witted warmth lights up the show’s bleak post-apocalyptic landscape, holding her own alongside Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, and Gabriel Luna. The indisputable chemistry her character shares with Ellie (Ramsey) has kept viewers and critics around the world talking long after credits roll
Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, co-creators of The Last of Us, have been nothing but thrilled about casting the 23-year-old as Dina. “You can search forever for an actor who effortlessly embodies all of those things, or you can find Isabela Merced right away.” It’s no surprise that both they and the fans were blown away. Merced’s magnetic presence and a decade of dedication shine through every scene, signaling she’s truly stepping into her prime.
Her Path To Fame
Merced’s path to the spotlight began far from Hollywood, in Cleveland, Ohio. Born to a mother from Lima and a father from Louisiana, she grew up speaking Spanish at home and carrying a fierce pride about being Latina. After a fire destroyed their home, her parents encouraged her to try local theater. She soon appeared as a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, and at just ten years old she made her Broadway singing debut in Evita alongside iconic pop star, Ricky Martin.
Today, Merced ranks among the most influential Peruvian personalities of the last decade, alongside icons like Gastón Acurio, a renowned chef and culinary ambassador; Mario Vargas Llosa, a Nobel Prize-winning author; and esteemed athletes such as Paolo Guerrero, a professional soccer player and former national team captain; and Sofía Mulanovich, the country's former world surfing champion.
From her early beginnings leading Nickelodeon’s 100 Things to Do Before High School to headlining Dora and the Lost City of Gold, Merced has steadily climbed the Hollywood ladder. This summer, she is joining the iconic DC Universe, spreading her wings as Hawkgirl in James Gunn’s new vision of Superman.
¡HOLA! caught up with Isabela Merced in New York City, where she appeared perfectly in tune with the city's creative energy. "I absolutely love New York. I love the art here. I love the people," she shared, her deep connection to the city shining through.
Despite her rising stardom, Merced steps onto set with a disarming humility. She's playful, relaxed, and quick to jump into whatever the moment calls for. During the exclusive cover shoot, her energy is genuine and free of pretense, bringing a calm and captivating presence that instantly puts everyone around her at ease.
Grateful For Her Roots
In conversation, Merced exudes the confidence of someone who understands herself well. She’s thoughtful, articulate, and remarkably grounded. Reflecting on her journey in the entertainment industry, she speaks openly about the pressures and expectations that often accompany it. Yet rather than allowing those external voices to shape her identity, she chooses to remain anchored in the present. This mindful approach influences not only her professional decisions but also how she experiences life.
"In this world of entertainment, everybody wants to tell you who you are, and my goal is to be present and live moment to moment. Be grateful and make sure that I'm really taking advantage of every opportunity that comes up.”
Despite the attention brought by her performance in The Last of Us, Merced remains down to earth with a sense of self that is firmly rooted in her family and heritage. When asked to recall a meaningful career moment tied to her loved ones’ pride and presence, she responded with genuine sincerity. “Yeah, I have the opportunity to have my whole family come to a lot of my premieres and I feel like whenever they're there I feel so much more proud of my work.” For Merced, the most cherished experiences are those shared with the people who’ve stood by her side from the beginning.
“My family are the most supportive people and they're my reason. I have a lot of family that lives in the United States but I would love one day to have a premiere in Peru. I would have all of my 50 cousins and their kids attend a premiere. We would fill that theater instantly.”
Family holds a central place in Isabela’s heart. When asked about the values she hopes to pass down, she reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her siblings. Her younger brother has shown her the importance of resilience and staying committed, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Her older brother leads by example, demonstrating what it means to stay disciplined and focused. “I’ve learned something important from each of them,” she says. “I can’t wait to be an aunt one day. Their kids are going to be really cool.” To Merced, family isn’t just a source of encouragement, it’s the cornerstone of everything she stands for.
Inspired by the hit series, ¡HOLA!’s shoot reimagines post-apocalyptic life through a bold, fashion-forward lens. Shot on a bare New York rooftop with a distant skyline, the setting hinted at a world left behind. When we asked Isabela to name her must-have “end of days” essentials, her eyes lit up. At the top of her list? Bonbon—her five-year-old Chihuahua and the unofficial star of the shoot.
“Mmm, I would say... does Bonbon count?” she asks. “Of course I would take Bonbon, and we would hunt for animals together.”
Next, she gets practical. “I would say probably, ooh, probably a good belt. Because then, no matter what pants I have to put on, they'll always fit. No matter what pants I find.” Finally, she lands on a survival essential that’s as smart as it is stylish. “Underrated, a big hat. A big hat to keep me from getting sunburned because who knows if sunscreen is going to be around.”
Music and heritage take center stage as the conversation shifts to a playful challenge: if one Latin track could score The Last of Us, what would it be? Imagine a high-stakes escape, tension building, drums pounding, and a single song rising above the chaos. She pauses, then smiles. “I actually have one,” she says, laughing. “It’s almost cheating. I’ve thought about this way too much.”
Her pick is personal. “I have a song called Apocalipsis that I made with my brother. The lyrics go ‘Apocalipsis, Punto Final.’ I wrote that way before the show. Like four and a half, maybe five years ago. My brother produced it.”
Moving on to discuss one of the most talked-about moments in The Last of Us, the frantic escape in episode four, titled "Day One." Fans are calling it one of the show's defining episodes, and the excitement is not just about the storyline, it’s about Merced’s presence and her chemistry with Ramsey, with social media calling it HER episode.
And while Isabela admits she does not pay much attention to the reviews, her impact is clear. Her performance blends drama and action with precision and, for many, a cinematic sequence destined to leave its mark on the minds of Zombie cinephiles.
After the viewers can breathe and the high tension and anxiety are over, the episode culminates in its much-talked-about intimate moment between Ellie and Dina, one that Merced insists would not have resonated the same way if it wasn’t for the talent and energy of Bella Ramsey. Their on-screen chemistry was not forced.
It came from real connection and mutual trust that allowed them to access emotions beyond what was written. “We’re pulling from every possible feeling in our relationship and in our history to conjure those specific emotions and moments that you see that weren’t even written,” she says. “Bella is a huge reason I was able to deliver that scene.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to even give that kind of a performance… if it weren’t for the chemistry that was already there with Bella Ramsey.”
The actress from Cleveland credits her standout performance in The Last of Us to a mix of preparation, collaboration, and instinct. She calls it pure luck that she landed a part that reflects her in a new light but quickly points to the layers behind it. “Hard work, strong writing, and the vision of creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann all played a part. They believed in me, and that belief gave me the space to deliver.”
Inspired By Her Mother
To shape Dina, Merced did not look to other performances for inspiration. Instead, she turned inward. Some of Dina’s humor came from channeling Craig Mazin himself, often playfully mimicking his tone. For the character’s more serious and decisive moments, Merced drew from someone even closer. She looked to her mother as a model for strength and leadership, imagining how she would take charge in a crisis. Portraying someone she does not fully relate to means looking to the people around her and grounding each scene in something personal and real.
“Every moment is so fleeting, so if you’re too focused on the destination you can forget to appreciate the best part, which is the journey,” she says, her voice carrying the calm conviction of someone determined to stay present no matter how fierce the heat of fame burns.
Merced’s not just Hollywood’s star; she’s Peru’s pride. The Last of Us may have brought her wider recognition, but her roots fuel every character she plays. She is a vibrant bridge between Lima and Hollywood. To girls everywhere, she’s proof: your culture’s your strength, and the sky’s the limit.
Credits:
Chief Content Officer: Nagidmy Marquez Acosta¡HOLA!
Fashion Editor: Chiara Primatesta
Deputy Editor ¡HOLA! U.S. Andrea Perez
Photographer: Izack Morales
Stylist: Odile Iturraspe
Fashion Stylist Assistant: Zoe Berteloot
Hair & Makeup: Jamie Harper
Social Media Editor: Caterina Zanelli
BTS Videographer: Manuel Ortiz
Video Editor: Daniel Neira
