YouTuber Nikocado Avocado bamboozles viewers with secret weight loss transformation

Nikocado Avocado has successfully carried out a prank that lasted for several years.

The well-known mukbang YouTuber, famous for consuming large quantities of food on camera, tricked the online world by secretly undergoing a weight loss transformation while posting old videos to conceal his journey.

Nikocado Avocado, also known as Nicholas Perry, showed off his fresh new look to his many followers on YouTube last Friday. His appearance was noticeably thinner than in his previous videos.

"This morning, I finally woke up from a super long dream and realized I had shed 250 pounds from my body. Just yesterday, folks were criticizing me for being overweight, unhealthy, dull, and unimportant," shared Perry, age 32, in his recent video. "Humans are the most flawed beings on Earth, but I've somehow managed to outsmart them all. The joke's on you."

The video named "Two Steps Ahead" gained over 26 million views in just one weekend. This led to a lot of talk about whether it was possible for him to lose so much weight in a short amount of time, especially considering his previous videos where he appeared much bigger.

However, Perry revealed to NBC News through email that it took him approximately two years to shed the weight, dropping from 411 pounds at his heaviest to 158 pounds currently.

"I have been cleverly sharing videos I made ahead of time for 2 years on both YouTube and TikTok. I changed the videos so they seemed new, which let me work on getting better in private," Perry explained in an email. "I cut my hair so people wouldn't see me in public. A few other YouTubers also helped me keep my secret."

Starting the video wearing a large panda mask, he described his personal change as the "biggest social experiment I've ever done." He remarked how observing viewers' constant comments and theories about him felt like he was "watching ants in an ant farm."

According to Perry, the panda represented the idea that the online world is more complex than it seems. He wanted to encourage people not to take social media too seriously.

Perry explained that despite being teased for eating too much food, he felt confident and in charge the whole time. He pointed out that many people are fixated on online influencers and consume their content obsessively. Perry saw a connection between this behavior and over-eating, which he found interesting to explore.

Following the exciting reveal, Perry returned to his typical mukbang videos, ending the video by devouring a large platter of spicy black bean noodles.

However, his latest video contained several of the same phrases as a previous monologue he posted in February 2022. The original video, named "The Best Burger I've Ever Had," was later changed to "Two Steps Ahead • Original, 2022."

Perry mentioned in the email that he had planned out this video with the knowledge that he was beginning his private weight loss journey. He considered it a subtle clue that was essentially a straightforward confession, however, the viewers did not pick up on it.

Following this, Perry decided to fully embrace the persona by continuing to post previous videos of himself on all his different platforms. The most recent one, posted only a few days before he revealed his new look, displayed him weighing 351 pounds when he stepped on a scale.

Three months ago, he posted a video saying he was stopping his efforts to lose weight. He expressed disappointment, saying he hadn't seen any lasting results in almost two years.

"Oh well, there are people who are overweight. Accept it," Perry stated in the video. "Do you believe we were placed on this planet just to go hungry, obsess over calories, and limit carbohydrates? I'm tired of it, it doesn't help. I've tried, it doesn't help. I have come to terms with the fact that I am overweight. And I believe most people should do the same, honestly."

He emphasized that he is not interested in losing weight in a TikTok video from earlier this year. In the video, he was seen dramatically slurping noodles from a baking sheet. His latest TikTok, which was posted a few weeks ago, also showed him embracing the exaggerated character.

Currently, Perry appears to be transitioning into a "fresh chapter," as he hinted at in a recent video uploaded on his second YouTube channel. He has created new accounts on Instagram and X, where he has uploaded a series of before and after pictures over the past weekend.

"I'm not sure if people still enjoy my company. I'm not sure if people are interested in what I have to say or if they like my content. Honestly, I'm just unsure," he mentioned in the video after devouring a plate of spicy cheesy noodles. "Ultimately, if only one or two people come to watch me eat, I'm satisfied."

Angela Yang writes about culture and trends for NBC News.