Nina Blackwood

Here’s a biographical sketch of Nina Blackwood — an influential media personality best known for her work in music television and radio:

Nina Blackwood – Biography & Career

Full name: Nina Kinckiner (professionally known as Nina Blackwood)
Date of birth: September 12, 1955 (commonly cited)
Place of birth: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality: American

Early Life & Beginnings

• Nina grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from Rocky River High School in 1970.

• In high school, she sang and played keyboards in a band.

• After high school, she moved to California to study acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute.

• Before her VJ career, she worked as a model; notably, she appeared in Playboy in August 1978 in a pictorial titled “The Girls in the Office.”

Breakthrough: MTV & Television

• When MTV launched in 1981, Nina was selected as one of the original five VJs, along with Martha Quinn, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, and J. J. Jackson.

• She stayed at MTV until 1986.

• After MTV, she hosted a “Rock Report” segment for Entertainment Tonight.

• She also appeared on Solid Gold between 1986 and 1988.

• Over the years she made on-screen appearances on programs for VH1, MSNBC, Discovery, and others.

Radio & Later Career

• In 1999, Nina launched “Nina Blackwood’s Absolutely 80’s”, a nationally syndicated radio show.

• She followed that with another syndicated show: “Nina Blackwood’s New Wave Nation”.

• She has been a host on SiriusXM, notably on The 80s on 8.

• On weekends, she co-hosts The Big ’80s Top 40 Countdown with other original MTV VJs.

Acting & Other Media

• Nina has acted in films such as Vice Squad (1982), Reckless Kelly (1993), and I Crave Rock & Roll (1996).

• She also performed in the road company of The Vagina Monologues in 2003.

Personal Life & Interests

• Nina is known for her raspy voice, which she’s had since childhood.

• She lives in coastal Maine on a farm that also functions as an animal sanctuary for her many pets.

• Though she was briefly married (to a man named Dennis), she has no children.

• Blackwood has stated that the 1984 hit “Missing You” by John Waite was partially inspired by her.