Nico Rocks shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Nico, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
“Hey! I’m Nico ‘Rocks’ Calero. I’m an artist and actor from New York City. Some people might know me from American Idol as part of the boy band Menudo, or from my solo appearances on Univision and Telemundo. I’ve also worked on movies, commercials, and different TV shows.
Even though I’m only 13, I’m balancing school, acting, and music all at the same time—which can get crazy sometimes! But one thing that keeps me grounded and brings me joy is kickboxing. It’s my happy place. I get to release stress, yell, punch, and also work on discipline all at once. It helps me stay balanced and focused.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“Hi, I’m Nico ‘Rocks’ Calero. I’m a recording artist, songwriter, and actor from New York City. I started out as a child actor and won a few Best Actor awards for my work in TV, film, and national commercials. In 2022, I became the youngest member of the boy band Menudo and performed on shows like Good Morning America, The Today Show, and Live with Kelly & Ryan.
Now I’m focusing on my solo music career, blending my multicultural background, Afrobeat influences, and NYC style. I’ve released six original singles, including ‘Que Será’ and ‘Baile,’ which I recently premiered on Univision and Telemundo, one of which got accepted for Grammy nominations!
This year, I also performed at the Puerto Rican Day Parade and filmed roles for Only Murders in the Building, The Beauty, and my upcoming movie The One with Martin Sheen. I’m 13, I love what I do, and I’m excited to keep growing as an artist.”
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
This won’t surprise anyone, but my mom saw who I was before I even knew it myself. She’s a choreographer, and she actually started her own career really young too—acting and performing with her dad, my grandfather. He was the lead singer in a band, so my mom grew up around music and performance.
Fast-forward to my life: me and my brother grew up dancing, singing, and playing pretty much every sport under the sun. My mom recognized my passion before I could even name it. She nurtured it, polished it, and taught me to believe in myself and never give up.
She’s a huge part of why I’m the performer I am today, and I’m eternally grateful for everything she’s done for me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Actually, I’ve never given up. But I did have to face the fact that sometimes you need to change direction. That wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the best one I ever made. There are moments in life when you just have to leap without knowing the outcome. And honestly, I’d rather fail trying than live with regret.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
What the public sees when they look at me and my work is 100% real. I’m a lot of things—a serious actor, an energetic performer, a goofy TikToker—but all of it is truly me. Every side of my personality shows up in what I do, and together, that’s what makes me who I am.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
My dad is from Puerto Rico, and even though I live in New York, we go back to the island every chance we get. That’s why I feel the most at peace by the ocean. Water draws me in, it intrigues me, and it wakes up my creativity. Most of the songs I’ve written started as ideas I had while sitting by the water. It’s alive, it’s moody, and it’s incredibly inspiring.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://realnicorocks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realnicorocks?igsh=cHRycG0xaTFkODds&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@realnicorocks
Image Credits
RocksNvibes
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