Nicolas Heller | |
---|---|
Born | c. 1989 (age 35–36) |
Education | Emerson College |
Parent(s) | Steven Heller and Louise Fili |
Nicolas "Nico" Heller, better known as "New York Nico", is an American documentary film director, and social media personality known for his Instagram account @newyorknico. [1] Nicknamed the "Unofficial Talent Scout of New York", [2] Heller uses his platform to share photos, videos and stories showcasing life in New York City. [3]
Nico is the son of art director Steven Heller and graphic designer Louise Fili. [4] [5] He grew up in New York City and attended the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School. He obtained a degree in film from Emerson College and has gone on to create music videos, commercials, documentaries, and more under his production company, Heller Films. [6] [7] He first garnered attention for finding and recording offbeat New Yorkers. [8]
Heller Films' ordinary operation was put on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent lockdown in New York City. During this time, Heller held a contest for Best New York Accent. [9] New Yorkers in quarantine sent him video clips of their accents. The resulting videos went viral, and the project was picked up by mainstream media including TheNew York Times [10] and CNN. [8]
Heller used the New York-themed contest platform to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity. [2] Small businesses are highlighted regularly on his social media channel to bring awareness to their fight to stay in business during the economic challenges of COVID-19, including Astor Place Hairstylists, Ray's Candy Store, Army & Navy Bags, Veselka and more. [2] [3] [11]
In 2024 Heller released New York Nico's Guide to NYC (HarperCollins, ISBN 978-0-0633198-0-6), an illustrated guidebook to New York City. [12] [13]
Heller lives in Brooklyn. [14] In 2025 he got married to a graphic designer Naomi Otsu, with a wedding reception at Katz's Delicatessen, covered by The New York Times Styles desk. [15]
In November 2020, Heller announced a venture with MTA to enlist celebrities and notable New Yorkers to record public messages for use in the New York City subway. [16] [17] [18] As of Spring 2020, messages have been recorded by:
In December 2024, Instagram and MTA collaborated and had Metrocards sold featuring New York Nico.