Nico Tortorella

Nico Tortorella – Life, Career, and Memorable Words

Learn about Nico Tortorella, the American actor, model, and poet known for Younger, The Following, and bold statements on identity. Dive into their biography, career milestones, personal journey, and standout quotes.

Introduction

Nico Tortorella (born July 30, 1988) is an American actor, model, author, and cultural figure celebrated not only for their screen presence but also for their outspoken engagement with gender, sexuality, creativity, and authenticity. From television dramas to spoken-word poetry, Tortorella’s path reflects a commitment to artistic exploration and personal truth. Their journey offers insights into the intersections of identity, vulnerability, and public life.

Early Life and Family

Nico Tortorella was born on July 30, 1988, in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. New Trier High School.

From a young age, Tortorella was drawn to theater and performance. According to various accounts, they participated in productions as early as elementary or middle school, including being involved in a local children’s theater production of The Wizard of Oz. Over the Tavern.

Tortorella also flirted with a modeling career: in 2007, they attended an open call and were offered a contract with Ford Models.

Career and Achievements

Television & Film Breakthroughs

• The Beautiful Life / Make It or Break It (2009–2010)
  Tortorella’s early television work included The Beautiful Life: TBL, where they played “Cole Shepherd,” a rising underwear model living among other models in New York. Make It or Break It as “Razor.”

• Films: Twelve and Scream 4
  In 2010, they had a supporting role in Twelve, directed by Joel Schumacher, alongside actors like Emma Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland. Scream 4, playing the character Trevor Sheldon.

• The Following (2013–2015)
  Tortorella gained wider recognition for their role as Jacob Wells in the Fox crime-drama The Following.

• Younger (2015–2021)
  Perhaps their most prominent and sustained television role is Younger, a TV Land comedy-drama series. Tortorella plays “Josh,” a tattoo artist and love interest of the main character Liza.

• Other TV & Projects
  In 2020–2021, they appeared in The Walking Dead: World Beyond as Felix Carlucci. How Far Is Tattoo Far?

Writing, Podcast & Other Creative Ventures

Beyond acting, Tortorella has written and spoken publicly:

• Poetry / Prose
  They published All of It Is You (a poetry collection) and Space Between: Explorations of Love, Sex, and Fluidity.

• Podcast
  Tortorella hosts a podcast called The Love Bomb, in which they converse about love, sexuality, identity, intimacy, and community.

Personality, Identity & Public Advocacy

Nico Tortorella is well-known for being open and vocal about their identity, gender, and sexuality. Their public persona is intertwined with advocacy, self-expression, and the challenge of norms.

• Genderfluid & Sexual Identity
  Over time, Tortorella has described themselves using terms like genderfluid, bisexual, omnisexual, demisexual, sexual fluidity, and queer.

• Relationship & Family
  Tortorella has been in a long-term relationship with Bethany C. Meyers, with whom they married on March 9, 2018, in a gender-bending, nontraditional ceremony. Kilmer Dove Meyers, and more recently announced they are expecting their second.

• Public Voice & Expression
  Tortorella engages with topics of mental health, queer visibility, boundaries, and creative authenticity. They blend their artistic life with activism by being open about their journey, challenging norms, and using their platform to amplify marginalized voices.

Famous Quotes

Here are some notable quotes from Nico Tortorella:

“Art allows us to say the things we wouldn't normally be able to articulate in our waking life.”

“I wear my heart on my sleeve…”

“My mom actually took me to get my first tattoo when I was 15. She highly regrets that choice now, as I have a lot more.”

“I am the least jealous person I have ever met.”

“I’ve been acting since I was 8 — I used to play hockey and there was a kids’ theatre down the street from my house and one day I just walked in and signed up for auditions for ‘The Wizard Of Oz.’”

“I don’t really get nervous in front of people. I kind of walk into every situation like I’m walking in to meet my peers, and they either like me or not.”

These quotes reflect Tortorella’s vulnerability, boldness, and focus on expressive truth.

Lessons from Nico Tortorella’s Journey

1. Authenticity matters. Tortorella’s candid approach to identity and personal truth encourages others to live openly.

2. Art is a medium for inner life. They see art, poetry, acting as tools to give voice to what is often suppressed or hidden.

3. Boundaries and openness can coexist. They’ve navigated public exposure while retaining selfdefined limits and respect.

4. Identity evolves. Tortorella’s own journey suggests that identity is dynamic—not a fixed point but a conversation.

5. Use platform for change. They leverage their visibility not just for performance but for advocacy and community building.

Conclusion

Nico Tortorella is more than a performer: they’re a cultural voice at the intersection of artistry, identity, and advocacy. From early theatrical roots to television stardom in Younger and The Following, and from poetry to personal disclosures, their life is a testament to the power of expressing one’s evolving self.