Meet Nina Montaldo

The beautiful and talented Nina Montaldo has been doing drag since 1969. A former ICRME Empress (she just celebrated the 10th anniversary of her reign), Nina wows crowds year after year at PrideFest. Don't miss her performance this year at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 22 on the Main Stage right before the legendary Miss Martha Wash!



Drew: Nina, how long have you been performing at PrideFest?
Nina: For many years. I first started in the 1980s.

What is your favorite thing about PrideFest?
When you see all those people out there. You just get high on the energy. I don't do drugs but you know what I mean? When you see all those people it just really makes you feel high.

Do you have a most memorable PrideFest moment?
They're all good moments.

What can you tell us about your performance this year?
This year I'm doing Shirley Bassey because she has a new album out. I'll be doing a Shirley Bassey medley. She's my favorite. I've been doing her since the '70s.


How has doing drag changed over the years?
It goes up and down. Some years it's good, like when La Cage aux Folles came out, and other years it's not so good. I don't know if it's up or down now.

How has PrideFest changed over the years?
Oh, it just gets bigger and bigger every year. That's a good thing.

Where else can we see you perform?
Once a month I'm in the show 'Dreamgirls' at Hamburger Mary's and I perform every Sunday at Charlie's with Michael Vrooman.

What message do you have for readers of the PrideFest blog?
Time goes by and you just have to keep going. Never look back. Always look ahead. And I look forward to seeing all my fans this year at PrideFest.