Nikocado Avocado's Journey from Veganism to Mukbang
Nicholas Perry, known to millions as Nikocado Avocado, is a Ukrainian-American internet celebrity who gained notoriety for his drastic lifestyle change. Initially, his YouTube channel showcased his vegan lifestyle, musical talent with the violin, and positive vlogging content. This version of Nikocado Avocado was a far cry from the controversial, erratic mukbang personality he would later become. The decision to stop being vegan was a critical turning point that led to the development of the persona recognized today. Understanding this shift requires looking at the multiple factors that Perry cited in his 2016 announcement.
The Health Issues Perry Cited
In his videos detailing his departure from veganism, Perry specifically mentioned several health concerns he believed were linked to his plant-based diet. While it's important to note that these were his personal accounts and not medical diagnoses, they heavily influenced his decision. The health problems he reported included:
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A common risk for those on an un-supplemented vegan diet, Perry claimed to have low B12 levels.
- Hypoglycemia: Perry mentioned that he had developed this condition, although he was unsure if it was a direct result of his diet.
- Dental problems: He cited a 'rotted tooth' as a consequence of his diet.
- Loss of Libido and Erectile Dysfunction: In a later interview, he spoke about these issues, though their direct link to his vegan diet is unclear.
It is crucial to distinguish between a well-planned vegan diet and the one Perry followed, which included phases of raw veganism and high-carb, low-fat eating. The online vegan community later pointed out that his health issues were not necessarily a condemnation of veganism as a whole, but rather a reflection of his own potentially restrictive and unbalanced approach.
Conflict with the Online Vegan Community
Beyond his health, a significant motivator for Perry's change was his growing dissatisfaction with the vegan community itself. He found the online space to be overly critical and hostile, feeling as though he was never "vegan enough" for some of his more militant followers.
Perry's frustrations stemmed from:
- Feeling judged: The pressure to be a perfect, unblemished representation of veganism became a burden for him.
- Hostile interactions: He described the community as "unbalanced, hostile, and mentally unstable," indicating a toxic environment.
- Performance anxiety: The constant scrutiny from fellow vegans may have contributed to his decision to leave the lifestyle and online niche altogether.
This negative experience with his former audience paved the way for his pivot to mukbang, where drama and controversy were embraced rather than shunned.
Veganism vs. Mukbang: A Dramatic Shift
The contrast between Nikocado Avocado's vegan phase and his subsequent mukbang career is stark. The transition not only changed his diet but also his entire online persona.
| Feature | Vegan Era (2014-2016) | Mukbang Era (2016-Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Diet | Plant-based, often raw or high-carb | Excessive quantities of high-calorie fast food and junk food |
| Content Style | Lifestyle vlogs, musical performances, positive tone | Dramatic meltdowns, chaotic eating, shock value |
| Physical Health | Thin frame, though reported health issues | Dramatic weight gain and related health concerns |
| Online Persona | Cheerful, positive, aspiring musician | Exaggerated, controversial, willing to play the "villain" |
| Audience Response | Positive but with intense scrutiny from some vegans | Engagement driven by shock, drama, and concern |
The Aftermath and Public Perception
After leaving veganism, Perry fully embraced the mukbang genre, where he consumed immense quantities of non-vegan food on camera. This led to a significant and noticeable weight gain, which became a focal point of his content and public discussions. His videos, often featuring loud, erratic behavior and staged arguments with his partner, Orlin Home, garnered millions of views and fueled his career. Despite repeated health scares and fan concerns, Perry continued his content, even admitting that many of his online conflicts were scripted for views.
In a dramatic turn of events, Perry revealed in September 2024 that he had been secretly losing weight for two years while posting pre-recorded mukbang videos to maintain his online persona. He called this the "greatest social experiment of his life," shocking his audience and revealing a significant weight loss. This revelation further complicated his public image, blurring the lines between authenticity and performance for his followers.
Conclusion
The story of why Nikocado Avocado stopped being vegan is multifaceted, involving a complex mix of reported health problems, a toxic experience with his online community, and a calculated shift in content strategy for fame. While his health concerns served as the initial catalyst, the move to mukbang was a deliberate choice that ultimately defined his controversial internet career. The journey from a soft-spoken vegan violinist to an over-the-top mukbang personality is a testament to the unpredictable nature of online fame and the lengths creators will go for audience engagement.
The Real Reason Nikocado Avocado Stopped Being Vegan
In a video posted on September 1, 2016, Nicholas Perry explained his reasons for leaving his vegan lifestyle. He attributed his decision to a combination of health issues he experienced and a negative relationship with the online vegan community. This pivot from a niche content creator to a mainstream mukbanger marked the beginning of his infamous and highly scrutinized career. The transition from vegan to mukbang was not just a dietary change but a complete transformation of his brand and persona.
Nikocado's Health Justifications
During his time as a vegan, Nikocado Avocado reported several health problems that he believed were related to his diet. These included a vitamin B12 deficiency and hypoglycemia, which he said he had never experienced before. In addition, he mentioned dental issues, though the direct link to his vegan diet is not fully clear. Later, he also discussed issues like erectile dysfunction and loss of libido, attributing them to his dietary choices. It is important to note that many of these issues can be mitigated or avoided with a properly balanced vegan diet, which may not have been what Perry was following, especially during his more extreme raw vegan and high-carb phases. Critics of his change argued that he was misattributing the causes of his health issues.
Conflict with the Online Vegan Community
Another major factor Perry cited was his dissatisfaction with the behavior of his fellow vegans online. He felt constantly scrutinized and criticized, leading him to describe the community as "unbalanced, hostile, and mentally unstable". He expressed frustration at the feeling of never being "vegan enough" for some of his followers, which created a toxic and stressful environment. This online drama was a precursor to the controversial, conflict-driven content he would later produce in his mukbang videos. This experience seems to have prepared him for the backlash and negative attention that would come with his mukbang career.
The Shift to Mukbang
With his negative experiences pushing him away from veganism, Perry found a new, highly lucrative niche in the mukbang community. Originating in South Korea, mukbang involves a host eating large quantities of food while interacting with an audience. Perry became one of the first American male mukbangers to achieve significant fame, and his willingness to eat excessive portions of unhealthy, non-vegan food distinguished his content. This move saw a radical change in his diet, leading to his well-documented weight gain. He strategically capitalized on his dramatic persona and health struggles to generate clicks and revenue. This culminated in his most recent reveal that his weight gain over the last two years was a performance, as he secretly lost weight and posted pre-recorded content.
The Greatest Social Experiment: Recent Revelations
In September 2024, Nikocado Avocado shocked the internet by revealing he had lost 250 pounds over two years while strategically uploading pre-recorded videos to maintain the illusion of his weight gain. Calling it "the greatest social experiment of [his] entire life," he detailed how he faked his online persona to test audience reception. The revelation has prompted significant discussion about authenticity in online media and the exploitation of health issues for engagement. After his weight loss, he also underwent several plastic surgeries to remove excess skin. This latest twist highlights the fact that his career has long been a calculated performance, extending back to his initial reasons for leaving veganism.
