New York Nico is recruiting the next voice of the subway

Nicolas Heller, aka New York Nico, poses with the Cellino and Barnes poster he recently auctioned off for charity. Photo via Instagram

By Rachel Vick

New York City’s unofficial talent scout is looking for the next voices of the subway.

New York Nico, also known as Nicolas Heller, is teaming up with the MTA to find “iconic” New Yorkers to record subway messages next year. 

The social media star uses his popular Instagram account to highlight the creative characters who make New York City unique, like street performers, small business owners or everyday neighbors with outsized opinions. 

Heller put out a casting call to his 478,000 Instagram followers Monday requesting they recommend local legends, recognizable voices and unsung heroes of the city to ensure New Yorkers stand clear of the closing doors, please.

"There is no real determination for who is iconic," Heller told Time Out. "It's really just who the people think is worthy of the honor! I want the people of New York to be a huge part of this whole process."

Queens has no shortage of potential candidates, and connections on the dream team that Heller listed for Time Out. His candidates include Queens College alum Jerry Seinfeld, Queens native Debi Mazar and Grover Cleveland High School grad Rosie Perez. Heller said Mazar was already down to participate. 

Heller’s followers have suggested other World’s Borough reps like Fran Drescher, Nicki Minaj, Billy Eichner and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. 

The initiative follows a successful January pilot where Forest Hills native Awkafina recorded the announcements for the 7 Train to promote her show “Nora from Queens”.

“Rather than personally choosing all the lucky voices for this project, I felt it was important to open it up to you all,” Heller posted on Instagram. “So let me know... Who deserves the high honor of being a voice of the MTA?”