14-year old Isabela Moner, star of Nickelodeon’s “100 Things To Do Before High School,” is releasing her debut, 12-track album called Stopping Time tomorrow, September 18, which will be available on iTunes, Amazon.com, BroadwayRecords.com and other retailers.
The album is a mix of both originals, such as the first single “Dream About Me” which she wrote with her father’s help at age 11, and covers ranging from Beyonce’s “Halo” to Oasis’ “Wonderwall.” In a nod to her Broadway origins, she also performs “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” from the Evita revival which ended its run in 2012.
Also of note is the brand-new song “Angel,” which was written by Debbie Gibson.
The song selection seems random at first glance, as even “The Girl From Ipanema” is thrown into the mix, but in Isabela words she explains that, “I have chosen a wide range of songs from all over the world and different decades written, or originally performed, by artists who have inspired me in my search for who I continue to become musically. I wrote my first song, ‘Dream About Me’ when I was 11 years old on the ukulele. My mother is from Peru and that part of my heritage is very important to me and is reflected on my album along with many other aspects of my personality.”
While there are some cute tracks that will appeal to younger teens, we like that Moner chose to mix things up and show a wide range, rather than release a pure bubblegum pop record for her debut as so many other Disney and Nick stars choose to do. It sets her apart and establishes her as a teen singer already capable of tackling mature music. This is impressive for a 14 year old (she was 13 when she recorded the album) and points to her having a great shot at an enduring career, rather than struggle or even disappear as soon as her series stops hitting the airwaves.
Check out the video for the first single “Dream About Me” here:
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Isabela made her Broadway debut in the revival of Evita at age ten. That same year, Isabela made her national and international television debut as a singer in “The Next Big Thing: New York”. She earned her first feature film lead role in the critically acclaimed “The House that Jack Built”, winner of numerous awards at film festivals across the United States.
In 2013, Isabela went on to star as Wendy in the world premiere of Fly the Musical. Other workshop and theatre credits include: Zorro (Young Lisa), Little Miss Sunshine(Rosa Maria), A Christmas Carol (Sarah Cratchit), Annie (Annie) and Les Miserables(Young Cossette).
Broadway Records’ Van Dean, already an ardent fan, quickly signed her to a recording pact with the intention of developing a more pop-oriented vehicle for her. Says Dean, “I recognized immediately that Isabela is an artist with her own unique vision and is an incredible musician. We started working together when she was only 11 but it was already clear that she had an astounding knack for crafting new songs and making songs we’ve heard before, very much her own. Given how accomplished she is already, I can only imagine what the future holds for her. She is definitely one to watch and I am honored to have been there at the beginning.”
Isabela currently stars as CJ Martin in the Nickelodeon show, “100 Things To Do Before High School”. She sings the show’s theme song “Brand New Day”, as well as an episode solo “Rock Out”. She previously appeared in NBC’s “Growing Up Fisher” and the Nickelodeon movie “Splitting Adam”, as well as voices a series regular character on the Nickelodeon animated preschool series, “Dora and Friends: Into the City”. She has performed with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and Contemporary Youth Orchestra, and has performed at various notable venues such as 54 Below, Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, and the Apollo Theater.
— ISABELA MONER SOCIAL MEDIA —
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