Although we’re only about halfway through season two of The Last of Us, newcomer Isabela Merced has made a strong impression already.
She stars as Dina in the post-apocalyptic drama, the new love interest for Ellie (Bella Ramsey). So far, season two of the hit series has given fans a tender glimpse of Ellie and Dina’s connection gradually deepening.
Here are 14 facts you may not know about the LGBTQ+ star.
@pinknews Here are 13 facts you didn’t know about The Last Of Us actress Isabela Merced… #thelastofus #isabelamerced #lgbtqia #facts #thelastofus2 #bellaramsey ♬ original sound – ⃝ᅠ ⃝ᅠ ⃝ᅠ:
Her first acting job was in a local production of The Wizard of Oz
Isabela’s passion for acting started early at home in Cleveland, Ohio. After watching The Wizard of Oz film repeatedly, she auditioned for the role of Dorothy in a local stage production.
It didn’t go her way but she was cast as one of the Munchkins. “I remember the moment I first walked on that stage, it was so perfect I fell in love,” she told Flaunt.
Her home was destroyed in a fire when she was a child
The fire took place when Isabela was eight or nine years old and was put out by her father who was a firefighter and on active duty that night.
The incident led her into acting because her parents wanted to find something to distract her from the aftermath of the blaze.
She turns to her dogs for support
Last year, she spoke to The Cut about her battle with anxiety. Being an actress, “You have access to far more emotions or hybrids of emotions”, she said, and revealed that she turns to her dogs when she needs peace. “They have no judgment and no words to say. They just are there, and I aspire to be like my dogs.”
She identifies as queer
(Spoiler alert)
Speaking about the recent sex scene between Ellie and Dina, Isabela said she and Ramsey felt comfortable because “we both have experience in queer relationships”. She also told The New York Times in April, that she’s “been queer my whole life”.
She’s a trained boxer
Now 23, she’s been boxing since she was 14.
She was accepted into college at 15
(@isabelamerced)“Today, I was accepted into college at 15 years old,” she posted on Instagram in 2017. “I don’t even know why I started crying. Maybe the thought that while pursuing my dream of becoming an actress, I was able to finish all my schoolwork and get good grades.
“In my family, a good education is invaluable and cherished. I really hope all of you realise how important it is to be smart rather than a movie star. I can’t wait to start working towards that degree.”
She has three dogs
They’re called Bon Bon, Canela and Pluto – who only has three legs.
She didn’t have to audition for The Last of Us
Isabela had a meeting with show creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann where apparently she made such a good impression they decided to give her the part on the spot.
She told the Happy Sad Confused podcast in August that she didn’t even do a screen test with Ramsey.
Her go to karaoke song is anything by Chappell Roan or Avril Lavigne
What more could you ask?
She’s a musician
Isabela has been writing songs since she was 11. Her debut album, Stopping Time, was released in 2015. Her most recent release was the single “Cuffing Season”, last year.
She told Refinery29 in 2019: “I want my music to represent who I am.”
Her first on-screen job was in a Claritin commercial
After moving to New York to pursue acting, Isabela booked a commercial for antihistamine medication Claritin, which “paid for the rest of my career until I got a solid gig”.
Her acting inspiration growing up was J-Lo
Not a bad choice, as role models go.
Her first celebrity crush was Cameron Boyce
Isabela was a big fan of the Disney Channel series Jessie, in which Boyce, who died in 2019 at the age of 20, played Luke Ross.
Her star sign is Cancer
According to queer astrologist Deborah Roe, who spoke exclusively to PinkNews about astrology last year, Cancerians “tend to use feeling or the expression of feeling to try to understand the harshness of the world against the LGBTQ+ community”.
Roe also said there was a 30 per cent chance of anyone born under this sign being queer.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
The post 14 fascinating facts you might not know about queer The Last of Us star Isabela Merced appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.