You remember the hair. That massive, gravity-defying blonde mane and the voice that sounded like she’d just spent the night at a smokey jazz club. Nina Blackwood wasn’t just a face on a screen; she was the vibe. When MTV launched at 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 1981, the world didn't really know what a "Video Jockey" was. Honestly, neither did the VJs.
Nina was the first one hired. That’s a heavy mantle to carry. Along with Mark Goodman, Martha Quinn, Alan Hunter, and the late J.J. Jackson, she basically invented a profession on the fly. No teleprompters early on. No roadmap. Just five people in a cramped studio in New Jersey—not even Manhattan yet—trying to explain why you should care about a three-minute film for a song you’d only ever heard on the radio.
The Audition That Almost Killed Her
Most people don't realize how close we came to never having Nina on our screens. The story is kind of legendary in industry circles. She was an actress and musician in L.A., totally broke, when she saw a tiny ad in Billboard. She sent in an 8x10 and a resume. They flew her to New York.
During the final stages of the hiring process, executive producers took her to the fancy Tavern on the Green. She was nervous. Who wouldn't be? She started nibbling on a dinner roll, and it got stuck. Like, really stuck. She was literally turning blue. Producer Robert Morton had to jump up and perform the Heimlich maneuver right there in the middle of the restaurant.
"I guess I have to take the job now," she joked after he saved her life. Imagine that. The first MTV VJ almost went out before the first video ever aired because of a sourdough roll.
🔗 Read more: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
Nina Blackwood: MTV VJs and the 80s Sound
The chemistry between those original five was lightning in a bottle. They weren't polished news anchors. They were music geeks. Nina brought this specific "cool older sister" energy. While Martha Quinn was the cute girl next door, Nina was the one who probably knew where the after-party was.
She wasn't just reading scripts. She was a musician herself—a trained harpist, believe it or not. She played keyboards in bands back in Ohio. That background gave her a layer of credibility when she sat down with people like John Mellencamp or Duran Duran. She spoke their language.
Why the Raspy Voice?
It’s her trademark. People always asked if she smoked like a chimney. The truth is, she’s had that voice since she was a little kid. It actually got deeper as she aged, which only made her more recognizable on the radio later. It’s a texture you can’t fake.
The "Missing You" Rumor
Here is a bit of rock trivia for your next dinner party: the 1984 John Waite hit "Missing You"? Yeah, that was written about her. Or at least, she was a major part of the inspiration. Waite has confirmed it over the years. When you hear that line about "I ain't missing you at all," you're hearing the fallout of a real-life rock-and-roll romance.
💡 You might also like: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Life After the Moonman
Nina left MTV in 1986. Five years. That’s a lifetime in TV years, especially when you’re working 12-hour shifts in a windowless studio. She didn't just disappear, though. She moved to Entertainment Tonight for the "Rock Report" and hosted Solid Gold.
If you grew up in the 80s, she was everywhere.
But the real second act happened in radio. She eventually found her way back to her roots. Today, in 2026, she’s still a powerhouse on SiriusXM’s "80s on 8." It’s fascinating because the technology has changed—we've gone from bulky cathode-ray tubes to streaming digital satellites—but Nina’s role is exactly the same. She is the curator. She is the one telling you why the synth-pop track from 1983 still slaps.
The Maine Animal Sanctuary
She lives a much quieter life now than she did in the mid-80s. Nina resides on a farm in coastal Maine. It’s not just a house; it’s an animal sanctuary. She’s a massive animal lover, surrounding herself with dogs, cats, and birds. It’s a far cry from the neon lights of the 57th Street studio, but it suits her.
📖 Related: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
She still works with her fellow VJs, too. Mark, Martha, and Alan are still her close friends. They wrote a book together, VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave, which is probably the most honest look at that era you'll ever find. They talk about the pay (which wasn't great at first), the drugs (which were everywhere), and the sheer chaos of a network that didn't think it would last six months.
Practical Ways to Connect with the 80s Legend
If you're looking to dive back into that era or see what Nina is up to now, you don't have to look far.
- Listen to SiriusXM 80s on 8: She hosts the weekday show and the "Big 40 Countdown" on weekends. It’s the closest you’ll get to the original MTV experience.
- Read the Memoir: Grab a copy of VJ: The Unplugged Adventures of MTV's First Wave. It’s filled with stories that didn't make it to air because of 1981 censorship.
- Check out "Absolutely 80s": This is her syndicated radio program that focuses on the deep cuts and the "New Wave" stuff she always loved.
Nina Blackwood proved that you don't need to be a corporate drone to succeed in media. You just need a voice—even if it’s a little raspy—and a genuine love for the music. She remains the queen of the 80s for a reason.
Next Step: Go back and watch the very first hour of MTV on YouTube. Look for Nina’s first segment. Pay attention to how nervous yet cool she looks. It’s a masterclass in faking it until you make it, and it changed the way we all watch music forever.