Nina Montaldo (aka James Martinez) began her career as a female impersonator in 1969. Since then Nina has become a legend throughout the drag community. In her home town of Denver, Colorado, and throughout the country, Nina has entertained thousands of people in both the gay and straight communities. Nina was instrumental in bringing the art of female impersonation into the straight community while performing with the first female impersonation troupe, Playgirl Follies, at Denver’s Annual People’s Fair in the early 1980s and continues to perform through Denver and the country with her unique style of drag.
Since the inception of the Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire, Nina has been an active member. Her first official Command was for Empress I Bridgette. Nina served as Princess Royale 7, Queen Mother and the elected office of Empress 24. She also served on the Board of Directors for 14 years. Nina has helped raise thousands of dollars for various charities, including PFLAG and the battles against HIV/AIDS and breast cancer, and has been recognized for her work with numerous awards.
Nina is a mentor to many queens, providing makeup lessons, and she continues to style wigs for queens across the country. When not entertaining the masses, James is an apartment manager where he has lived for 30 years! You may have seen Nina last year as one of the Grand Marshals for the 35th Anniversary of Denver’s Pride Fest.
Titles include:
Ms. Gay Colorado America 1980
Princess Royale 7, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Ms. Gay Pride 1989-1990
Queen Mother 3 For Live reign 17-23, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Empress 24, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Board of Directors, Member at Large, for 14 years, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
First Lady of Entertainment to the Americas proclaimed by Nicole The Great, Queen Mother of the Americas
Find Nina on Facebook.Ms. Gay Colorado America 1980
Princess Royale 7, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Ms. Gay Pride 1989-1990
Queen Mother 3 For Live reign 17-23, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Empress 24, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
Board of Directors, Member at Large, for 14 years, Imperial Court of the Rocky Mountain Empire
First Lady of Entertainment to the Americas proclaimed by Nicole The Great, Queen Mother of the Americas
This post by Matt Kailey originally appeared at The Center's Blog as part of The ABCs of PrideFest series.
