Guitar virtuoso Nita Strauss, known for her explosive solo career and tenure with Alice Cooper, has officially become a mother. She and her husband and manager, Josh Villalta, welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Maxwell James Villalta, on Thursday, May 28, at 8:00 p.m. local time. The newborn weighed in at 7 lbs., 6 oz., and measured 20 inches long.
The couple officially announced the news earlier today (Wednesday, June 3) through an exclusive feature with People magazine, while Strauss also took to her social media accounts to share a series of heartwarming photos with her son and a joyous message to her fans.
“Welcome to the world, Maxwell James. He came into this world surrounded by so much love and he’ll be loved even more with every passing day. Max is already so special and we truly believe he’s destined for greatness. With a little bit of both of us in him, whatever path he chooses, he’ll make his mark on the world and be a force to be reckoned with. We can’t wait to watch him grow into the man he’s meant to become, but for now we will cherish every moment along the way.”
“We’re excited for every phase of this new chapter, from right now as we’re learning to care for a newborn to bringing our son along for the ride on tour when the time comes! It’s going to be amazing, chaotic, and exciting and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“May you always live your life to the MAX, little man,” Nita concluded.
Speaking directly with People, the 39-year-old rock musician opened up about the early days of motherhood and the intense experience of labor.
“We’re in the full on newborn trenches: exhausted, running on fumes and figuring new parenthood out as we go, and it’s still been the most fulfilling and incredible time of our lives,” she shared. “Even after only a few days of motherhood, it’s already the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Strauss described the delivery process, surrounded by her husband and mother, as the “hardest thing I’ve ever done,” but also incredibly profound.
“I’ve always heard people say ‘You don’t know true love until they put your baby on your chest for the first time,’ but I never fully understood it until it happened to me!” she said. “It was as if the rest of the world melted away and we were in a vortex bringing a new life into this world.”
The couple, who tied the knot in May 2024 at The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel in Los Angeles, put careful thought into their son’s name. Villalta, who is also a drummer, explained the dual meaning behind the moniker.
“Whatever he does in his life, we hope he does it to the max!” he said. “His middle name is James, after Nita‘s dad, musician James Strauss.”
Music, naturally, played a central role in the days surrounding Maxwell‘s birth. Villalta noted that while preparing for the delivery, the couple listened to Metallica‘s classic “Nothing Else Matters“, feeling it perfectly captured the gravity of the moment. Upon bringing their newborn son home for the first time, they played Extreme‘s “More Than Words“, the very song they shared their first dance to at their wedding.
“That song has always held a special place in our hearts and now it has even more meaning,” Villalta said. “It always reflected the love we have for each other, but now that love has grown into something even greater with him in our lives. Hearing it play while holding our son was so beautiful and it marked the beginning of the new chapter in our story.”
The proud father also took a moment to praise his wife’s resilience throughout the entire pregnancy and delivery.
“I stayed by her side every second of the day, holding her hand and encouraging her as she endured labor. One side of Nita that many people don’t get to see is just how mentally strong she is and that strength was on full display that day,” he shared. “Then at 8 p.m. our beautiful boy arrived, and nothing can compare to the moment you see the child you created with the person you love most.”
The couple’s love story dates back to 2011 when they first met in the driveway of the Rainbow Bar & Grill in West Hollywood, having been introduced by Yamaha marketing manager Mike Taft. Villalta later proposed in July 2023 during the record-release party for Strauss‘ successful sophomore solo album, The Call Of The Void.
While Strauss focuses on her newborn, her longtime boss Alice Cooper recently announced that 22-year-old British guitarist Anna Cara is currently filling her spot in the touring lineup.
