You’ve seen the meltdowns, the massive piles of spicy noodles, and the recent, mind-blowing weight loss transformation that felt like a glitch in the Matrix. But behind the theatrical "Two Steps Ahead" persona lies a question that often gets buried under the drama: where is Nikocado Avocado from? Most people assume he’s just another guy from the American suburbs who got swept up in the weird world of mukbang. The truth is actually a lot more complex. Nicholas Perry—the man behind the camera—wasn't born in the United States. He wasn't even born in North America.
The Early Days in Ukraine
Nicholas Perry was born on May 19, 1992, in Kherson, Ukraine.
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If you look at a map, Kherson is a port city in the south of the country. It’s a long way from the bright lights of Las Vegas or the bustling streets of New York City where he eventually found fame. However, Nick didn’t spend much of his life in Eastern Europe.
He was adopted as an infant.
Basically, while his roots are Ukrainian, his upbringing was as American as it gets. He was raised by an adoptive family in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This explains why he doesn't have a Ukrainian accent and why his cultural references are strictly Western. He grew up in a middle-class household where, believe it or not, he was a classically trained violinist.
From Pennsylvania to the Big Apple
By the time he was in his early twenties, Nick wanted out of Pennsylvania. He had talent—serious talent. He actually performed at Carnegie Hall, which is basically the Olympics for musicians.
Around 2013, he moved to New York City. The goal? To play in a Broadway orchestra.
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Imagine that for a second. Before the "Nikocado Avocado" we know today existed, there was a skinny, vegan violinist trying to make it in the most competitive music scene in the world. He worked at Home Depot to pay the bills. He was living that classic "struggling artist" life. It was during this time that he met Orlin Home through a vegan Facebook group.
Orlin lived in Colombia at the time. Their relationship eventually led Nick to leave the U.S. for a while, but he always found his way back.
Is He Still a Ukrainian Citizen?
People ask this a lot, especially given the current global climate. While he was born in Ukraine, Nick identifies as Ukrainian-American. He holds American citizenship, having lived in the U.S. since he was a baby.
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His adoption story is something he’s been surprisingly open about in the past. In a 2020 podcast with Trisha Paytas, he touched on the mental health struggles he’s faced since childhood, mentioning that he was in and out of therapy starting at age five. He’s suggested that the "unknowns" of his early life in Ukraine and the adoption process contributed to his lifelong battle with anxiety and depression.
Why Does His Origin Story Matter?
Honestly, knowing where Nikocado is from helps humanize a guy who has spent years acting like a cartoon villain. We see the 250-pound weight loss and the "social experiment" reveal, but we forget there's a real person who traveled a very long path from a Ukrainian orphanage to Pennsylvania suburbs, to New York stage pits, and finally to a custom-built mansion in Las Vegas.
He isn't just a product of the internet; he’s a guy who has been reinventing himself since the day he was born.
What You Should Know Now
If you’re following the "New Nikocado" era, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- He’s an orchestrator: His recent weight loss reveal proved that a lot of what we see is a performance. He was filming content years in advance to trick the audience.
- The music is still there: Don't be surprised if he pivots back to the violin. It was his first love before the food took over.
- Location matters: He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where most of his "post-transformation" content is filmed.
If you're looking to understand the "Two Steps Ahead" strategy, your best bet is to re-watch his early 2014-2016 videos. You'll see a completely different person—the one who was still close to those Pennsylvania roots before the "Nikocado" character swallowed Nicholas Perry whole.