Nicolas Heller

Nicolas "Nico" Heller (better known as "New York Nico"), is a 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]

Biography

Heller 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.[4][5] He first garnered attention for finding and recording offbeat New Yorkers.[6]

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. [7] 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 The New York Times[8] and CNN.[6]

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][9]

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. [10][11]

References
  1. Barone, Vincent. "New York Nico's guide for surviving straphangers' rude subway behavior". amNewYork. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  2. Yaptangco, Ariana (2020-09-21). "New York Nico Is Helping Save New York City, One Instagram Post at a Time". ELLE. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  3. Satenstein, Liana. "For Nicolas Heller a.k.a. @NewYorkNico, It's New Yorkers Keeping New York Alive". Vogue. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  4. Healy, Jasmine (2019-01-30). "FEATURE: Reinventing Street Documentary with NewYorkNico". Resource. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  5. "'Art Is Like My Soul:' Tattoo Art Muse Is Featured in New York Nico Documentary". NBC New York. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  6. Alaa Elassar. "Can you tawk the tawk? New Yorkers, including celebrities, compete for the title of best accent". CNN. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  7. Yaptangco, Ariana (2020-09-21). "New York Nico Is Helping Save New York City, One Instagram Post at a Time". ELLE. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  8. Caramanica, Jon; Throop, Noah; O’Neill, Shane (2020-04-16). "How Does a New Yawker Tawk?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  9. "New York Nico & Hudson Whiskey Team to Support Local Businesses". gothammag.com. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  10. "New York Nico is recruiting the next voice of the subway". Queens Daily Eagle. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  11. "Iconic New Yorkers to Lend Their Voices for New MTA Announcements". Complex. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
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