Isabela Merced is known for many roles. She fought aliens in The Last of Us and explored jungles as Dora the Explorer. Soon, she will take flight as Hawkgirl in the new Superman movie. But now, this talented artist is returning to where her heart truly sings: music. She is launching a new project that blends tropical sounds with her Peruvian roots. It’s a deep dive into her cultural identity.
"I’m happy to share this," the actress and singer recently shared. "It’s very personal to me."
Merced, who is 23, proudly announced her new song, "Apocalipsis" (salsa version). It drops on August 15. This isn’t a brand-new track, but a fresh take on an older one. This time, it’s vibrant and truly Latin. She’s not doing it alone, though. Danny Sugar, the first Peruvian producer to win a US Grammy, joined her.
"He asked me to be part of this new project after his big win," she explained. "Apocalipsis was a song I’d already made. But this new version sounds totally different. It’s salsa, it’s tropical, and it represents both of us."
Making the Music Video Her Way
The music video for the song was filmed in Miami. Isabela was deeply involved in its creation. She even picked up the choreography in record time.
"I learned the dance in about an hour and a half," she recalled. "Then I spent all day at the F1 races. The next day, we filmed the video. But I had a very clear picture in my head. Danny gave me complete freedom. He told me, ‘Whatever you need, I’m here.’ That was the best part of the whole process."
Having this kind of creative control helped the actress reconnect with her singing side. Her music had taken a break since her EP, The Better Half of Me, came out in 2020. That album also mixed pop with Latin sounds.
Proud of Her Peruvian Roots
Working with Danny Sugar was not a random choice. It shows Isabela’s strong connection to Peru. That’s her mother’s home country. It’s also a constant source of ideas for her.
"Every time I visit Peru, I feel at peace," she commented with warmth. "It’s a simple, spiritual country, full of talent. I go at least twice a year. Now that I’m working more in that direction, my dream is to work with Peruvian artists. I want to help them get noticed in Hollywood."
Merced believes the entertainment world would be much richer if it included the spiritual and grounded outlook she sees in Peruvian people.
"All the Peruvians I’ve met are very connected people," she said. "They are very centered. That would be very good for this industry."
A Journey of Growth
Her acting career is soaring with the upcoming Superman film. Yet, Isabela doesn’t see music and acting as separate paths. For her, these two parts of her work feed each other. They form a complete artistic vision she hopes to expand.
"This return to music makes me feel more whole," she concluded. "I want to show my skills live, not just in the studio or on screen. I’m really excited about what’s next."
With "Apocalipsis" (salsa version), Isabela Merced is not just proving she’s a multi-talented artist. She’s also showing her dedication to celebrating her culture. Starting August 15, the world will see – and hear – her shine from a place more real than ever before.