You probably know her as the woman who has been gracefully turning letters and wearing impossible-to-walk-in gowns for over four decades. Vanna White is a television institution. But for a long time, her personal life—specifically her kids—stayed mostly in the wings. Then, a single video of a guy cutting onions changed everything. Suddenly, the internet wasn't just talking about the Wheel; they were talking about Vanna White’s son Nikko.
He didn't ask to be the "internet's boyfriend." Honestly, he was just making his family’s famous Uncle Roy’s Chicken. But that one viral moment in late 2024, where he appeared in a tight white T-shirt alongside his mom, catapulted the 31-year-old into a level of fame he wasn't exactly hunting for. People wanted to know: Who is this guy? Is he just another "nepo baby," or is there something more to him?
The truth is a lot more grounded than you’d expect from a kid raised in the zip codes of Mulholland Estates and Beverly Park.
From the Garden to the Red Carpet
Nikko Santo Pietro, born Nicholas Santo Pietro on June 10, 1994, isn't some Hollywood club rat. While his mom was busy becoming a household name, Nikko was living a surprisingly normal, albeit privileged, life. Vanna has been very vocal about the fact that she didn’t raise "spoiled" kids. She wanted them to work. And work he did.
Before he ever touched a real estate contract or a viral cooking video, Nikko was into the dirt. Literally. He moved away from the Los Angeles bubble to attend the University of Arizona before transferring to Oregon State University. He didn't study drama or communications. He studied agriculture.
Imagine the son of the most famous game show hostess in the world spending his days learning about plant biology and soil health. It sounds like a movie plot, but it’s real. He even spent time living on a farm and working as a baker. He’s a guy who knows his way around a sourdough starter just as well as he knows a luxury floor plan.
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Why the "Thirst Trap" Video Actually Mattered
When that cooking video hit Instagram, it racked up tens of thousands of likes almost instantly. Vanna told People magazine she didn't quite get why everyone was freaking out. To her, he was just Nikko. But to the world, he was a fresh face with a relaxed, authentic energy.
He handled the "shocking moments" of being recognized in grocery stores with a weirdly calm grace. He credits that to his mom. He told reporters that the biggest lesson he learned from Vanna was to "be authentic and speak your truth." It sounds like cliché advice until you realize he’s navigating the same industry that can chew people up and spit them out.
The Real Estate Pivot and The Agency
Currently, Nikko is making serious waves in the Los Angeles real estate market. He’s not just "trying it out" either. He’s an agent at The Agency, the high-profile brokerage owned by Mauricio Umansky. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Umansky is a staple of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and the Netflix hit Buying Beverly Hills.
Nikko has actually appeared on Buying Beverly Hills, but he’s focused on the grind. His background in agriculture gives him a weirdly specific edge. He talks to clients about the trees and plants on their properties with actual expertise. How many agents can tell you why your landscaping is dying while they're showing you a $5 million kitchen?
His portfolio includes some heavy hitters:
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- Sales in the $2 million to $3 million range in areas like Roscomare Road.
- Deep knowledge of the "individual property stories" in Beverly Hills.
- A focus on "transparency and honesty," which is a bold claim in the 90210 real estate scene.
Is He Single? (The Question Everyone Asks)
Let’s address the elephant in the room. As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the heartthrob status is still very much intact, but the availability is... complicated.
For a while, he was dating singer-songwriter Easae. She even wrote a song about him. But in a more recent sit-down with People for their "Generations" issue, Nikko mentioned he was "seeing someone" and that things were moving toward a girlfriend status. He’s private enough to keep the name out of the headlines for now, but he’s definitely "off the market."
His mom’s advice on his love life? "Listen to your heart."
Nikko’s response? "I don't really think about my mother when I'm navigating my love life."
Vanna’s take? "Good answer."
It’s that kind of banter that makes people like them. They seem like a real family, not a curated brand.
The Relationship with His Dad, George Santo Pietro
While Vanna is the one in the spotlight, Nikko’s father, George Santo Pietro, has been just as influential. George was a restaurateur—owner of the legendary L.A. spots Santo Pietro’s and Sushi Ko. That’s where Nikko’s obsession with cooking comes from.
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One of the most surprising things Nikko recently revealed was about his parents' divorce back in 2002. You’d think a split after 12 years of marriage would make things awkward regarding the "family business" (the show). But Nikko says his dad would actually watch Wheel of Fortune more than Vanna did. He grew up with his dad supporting his mom from afar, which is a level of maturity you don't always see in Hollywood divorces.
Poetry Nights and Piano
When he isn't selling houses or cooking gingery chicken in white wine, Nikko is a bit of a renaissance man. He hosts poetry nights. He plays the piano. He reads. He’s a "social enthusiast" who seems to value deep connection over the shallow influencer lifestyle.
It’s easy to look at a celebrity’s son and assume it’s all easy. And sure, the doors were opened. But Nikko seems to be walking through them with a different mindset. He isn't trying to be the next host of a game show. He’s building a business, tending to his mom's garden, and trying to stay "normal" in a city that is anything but.
What You Can Learn from Nikko’s Approach
Whether you're looking for real estate tips or just fascinated by the White-Santo Pietro family, there are a few takeaways from how Nikko handles his life:
- Diversify your skills: He used an agriculture degree in a real estate career. It makes him memorable.
- Authenticity beats curation: The video that made him famous wasn't a professional headshot; it was him in a kitchen being himself.
- Keep the family tight: Despite the fame, his focus remains on "homey stuff" with his mom and sister, Gigi.
If you want to keep up with his latest listings or see if he drops another family recipe, your best bet is following his Instagram, @nikkoshow. He’s finally embracing the reach that viral moment gave him, using it to fuel his business while keeping his feet firmly in the soil he studied.
To see more about the properties he’s currently moving or to get a look at the "Uncle Roy’s Chicken" recipe that started it all, check out his professional profile at The Agency RE. You might just find your next home—or your next dinner idea.