Meet Nick Ricca | Model, Actor, & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick Ricca and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I’m from Maui, Hawaii, and growing up on the North Shore shaped every part of who I am. I spent my childhood in the ocean — surfing, swimming, paddling, and eventually picking up cameras to capture the beauty and culture around me. Living in such a special place gave me a deep connection to nature and to community, and it fostered my passion for storytelling.

Hawaii is paradise, rich in culture and experiences, but being from a small island can also be challenging. Opportunities feel limited. Growing up, it felt like the only ways to ‘make it’ were in the tourism industry or becoming a professional athlete. That reality gave me a stronger drive to push further, to create my own path, and to pursue something extraordinary. I carry that work ethic and perspective with me everywhere, and I credit it for the success I’ve found in the acting world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is about storytelling and capturing the energy of life in authentic, dynamic ways. I’m passionate about acting, photography, and filmmaking, and what excites me most is bringing unique perspectives to each project — whether I’m in front of or behind the lens. That’s what sets me apart, the ability to work in front of and behind the camera. Also, my upbringing in Maui; growing up there gave me a creative lens shaped by authenticity, community, and resilience.

One of my proudest moments this year was being at the top of the call sheet for a Hawaiian Airlines commercial back in May. To be on such a major shoot for our airline, with a local crew of old friends and new ones, felt surreal. Two months later, I starred in global commercials for Samsung in Argentina and Nissan in Los Angeles. To be working all over the world with some of the biggest brands, while also getting to work at home in Hawaii, makes me feel incredibly proud. It’s special to represent my home globally, while staying rooted in where I come from.

The path here wasn’t easy. Pursuing creative work full-time meant leaving stability behind and navigating rejection in modeling and acting. It’s one of the hardest industries to make it in. There’s no guarantees, no security, and intense competition for work. I overcame those challenges by staying persistent, honing my skills, and taking calculated risks — like re-entering the creative world after a corporate career, and pushing to get signed with a top agency in LA. That coupled with delusional belief in myself, and radical optimism. I work daily to keep my mind right so I can stay in that high frequency energy.

Those experiences taught me that resilience, authenticity, and hard work are everything in this industry, and in life.
I want the world to know that my work is about fostering connection, creativity, and inspiring others to pursue their passions. My ultimate pursuit is acting and helping to build the film community here in Hawaii, sharing stories that are uniquely ours with audiences everywhere. I want to inspire the next generation the way this place inspired me — to show that being from a small island doesn’t limit you, it prepares you. Ultimately, being from Maui is what makes me different. My home gave me my worldview, my resilience, and my creativity, and I carry Hawaii with me in everything I do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my friends around where I live on the island, the north shore, upcountry, Hana, etc. I’d eat at Mamas Fish House, Nuka, and take them to my friend Bobba’s food truck called The Daily Grindz. We’d go surfing at Ho’okipa, and watch the sunset at Poli Poli. We’d BBQ with friends and just have a good time!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shoutout my agent in Hawaii, Dawn Larson, for getting me into the modeling world and guiding me through the industry. I’d also like to shoutout my LA agent Laura Blaubuka of Nomad Management, for seeing my potential and taking my career to the next level. Also, Roman Young and Damon Rutland of Nomad. Working with them is a dream come true and I feel like I have the best team in the game. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them and am so grateful for their support.

Website: https://www.nomadmgmt.com/divisions/commercial-talent/portfolios/nick#portfolio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickricca/

Image Credits
Kristy Taylor, John Hook, Sophie Wall