Isabela Merced can not be confined to just one talent, at only 21 years old she can call herself an actor, singer, dancer, songwriter, and ukulele player. The multifaceted Merced was born in Cleveland, Ohio and from her title role in Dora and the Lost City of Gold to her character in the Nickelodeon television series 100 Things to Do Before High School, Merced is undeniably on the rise in the film industry.

Like most trendy and up-and-coming celebrities you could find Merced donning daring outfits and hanging with her close friends at the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The annual festival is held in the Coachella Valley in California and is the place to be if you are in the creative industry. From music performances to the sheer excitement of seeing who wears what, Merced fits right into the vibrant atmosphere. 

This year Merced was invited to the mesmerizing H&M x Coachella pool party that offered an elevated Coachella experience titled "The H&M Desert Hideaway." Wearing a riveting ankle-length tropical floral dress, Merced seamlessly matched the custom bubblegum pink table decorated with flower arrangements and striped sitting cushions. An in-house DJ set the mood at the pool and guests were able to mingle and try the delicacies offered on the superfood inspired menu. 

FLAUNT got to speak to Merced about what it’s like to be breaking new grounds in the film industry all while delighting herself in the pleasures of celebrity life from attending coveted pool parties to traveling the world. 

You recently got back from Coachella–what was your favorite part about the weekend, and who were you most excited to see? Do you have any style influences? When you’re putting together an outfit, is there a vibe you try to emulate? 

So my favorite part of Coachella was the group I was with. I think the people you are with either make or break the experience for sure. I was honestly most excited to see Rosalia and she ended up being my favorite performance. My style influences recently have been...myself. I mean I just have been having a lot more fun recently. I used to dress for others and now I kind of dress for myself–what will make me feel the most confident and most fun. I always play music now when I’m getting ready, and I just throw things around and am not afraid to make a mess because I know I’ll clean it up later so. The vibe I try to emulate is like mine, but on steroids.  

You have a few films that are coming out soon, including Madame Web in 2024. With Marvel being such a force in the film industry, what was it like to work on that kind of set, and how was it different from your previous job

I have a few films coming out including Madame Webb and Turtles All The Way Down. I’m also filming Alien right now. Turtles is a more modest film, but I think it will be a huge movie in the sense that it will really affect a massive audience. It’s not just for younger people. It’s also for adults. It touches a wide range of subjects, there’s no one specific genre. I think that is my next project to come out and I’m dying for it to be released. I’m just so excited.  

Besides acting, what other creative spaces do you feel comfortable in? Are there any creative outlets that you feel drawn to, but have yet to master?

I feel comfortable singing as well. There’s nothing more I do in my free time other than singing and writing music. I have yet to master that. Acting I feel comfortable with because I’ve been doing that the longest, but I don’t know if I’ve even mastered THAT, so up in the air. I’ll let you know. 

From Ohio to Peru to New York to Hollywood, what does it take to constantly acclimate to new surroundings and people, and still feel at home with yourself? 

When you put it that way, it’s quite a crazy journey. 

I ask myself that question a lot and how it’s possible that I do that everywhere I go. But I think I've just been trained to do it from a very young age. I also don’t mind doing it. I actually enjoy doing it and observing people’s energies but not absorbing their energies. I read that somewhere on Instagram. I feel like I’m really good at [observing energies] and I can be like a chameleon and I can just acclimate to my surroundings.  

How do you take care of yourself in your free time, and how do you tap into your creative side just for yourself, when you’re not working? 

In my free time, I’m actually very selfish and careful with my time and who I choose to spend it with. Usually it’s my dogs. When I have free time I’m just chilling as much as possible. I like to dance. I like to salsa dance. I like to dance in general and let out that side in me. It’s more of a performative side, but it’s also a great way to burn calories. I also like to work out a lot. So, spend time with my dogs, dance and work out. That is definitely my top 3 things to do. Also eat. I really love to go out and eat and try new foods.