Nikki Webster » Quotes
On growing up in the spotlight
"When you are a child star you're put in a time capsule, and people don't wanna see you get older because they have that beautiful innocent image of you, and when I started doing men's magazines, raunchier photoshoots - still very classy - it was really hard for people to grasp. Yes they get older, but they don't expect you to get older as well." (2007)
"It's been 4 years since the Olympics, and I guess that's been a wake up call. That's why I'm bringing out this album (The Best of Nikki Webster), to remind everybody that I'm nearly 18 and driving around like anyone else. I'm not 13 forever, you know! People hold on to that Hero Girl image and forget I've grown up like any other teenager." (2004)
"When you look at people like Britney (Spears), she was a young star and she's grown up and made that change. A lot of people say she's gone too far, but I don't think I'll be like that. Not now. I'm happy where I am now and I'm comfortable with myself and with my body. It's also different for me because I do look young, so I suppose I'll wait a few more years before I make that big jump. Obviously there'll be subtle changes along the way because my body is changing, but the big changes are yet to come." (2004)
"I'm 17 going on 18, I'm not a 13-year-old anymore. I don't think my personality has changed in the past few years, but I'm more awake to the industry." (2004)
On Michael Jackson
"He was in Australia on the HIStory tour and to attend the premiere of his movie Ghosts. Kids were picked to attend the premiere and I sat next to Michael. He invited us all to his hotel room and we had M&M fights and he gave us jackets. Then he asked us to his concert at Sydney Football Stadium and chose me to sing Heal the World with him at the front of the stage." (2006)
"Michael was great. So down-to-earth, but he wouldn't show us how to moonwalk." (2004)
"When I met him, he was the nicest person, and I'm not going to make a judgement on him now." (2004)
"He invited a whole bunch of us kids up to his suite after the show. He was giving away PlayStations and everything. One boy even asked for the TV, but Michael explained it wasn't his, it belonged to the hotel! We were having M&M's fights, there was Fanta sprayed all over the walls. That room was trashed by the time we left!" (2004)
On her fans
"People have grown up with me and watched me grow through my career. I even get grandparents coming up to me and kissing me! They nurture me, so I'm not interested in coming back as a completely different person. I think I'll always stay the same." (2004)
"I have younger supporters who are between three and six, up to teenagers and then parents and grandparents. It's not a niche market, it's quite broad." (2004)
"They are really positive. I get thousands of letters a week and I answer them all. They're like, 'Come over and have a sleepover'. It's so uplifting. That's why I do this!" (2004)
"I'm in this industry for all my fans and as long as they're happy, I'm happy." (2004)
On tall poppy sydnrome
"I don't think I ever saw a positive story after I was 14. I'm at a point now where I laugh at it - people are still talking about me, that has to be good! I think it's funny and I laugh it off, but if I look back it has made me quite insecure. I think in the long-term it has created a false sense of who I am. Now that I'm older and going out I'll meet people and they say, 'Oh! I had the completely wrong impression of you!' Every time I meet someone I have to break down a wall so they'll accept me." (2009)
"The backlash seemed to begin a few months after the Olympics. I went suddenly from being Hero Girl to someone everyone poked fun at. For someone who'd been so proud to represent her country, that was hard to take. It wasn't very nice. It can damage anybody of any age, let alone a 13-year-old. Luckily, I had the support of my family and friends like Kylie and Bert and Patti Newton to help me get through it. I judge my success by what supporters who've been with me through thick and thin think, not the media. I just try my hardest not to let criticism upset me." (2006)
"Look at Kylie, who ignores all the knockers and keeps coming back, bigger and better than ever. See, she's proved all the people wrong who bagged her out, and I'll be the same. God, at least I haven't been called anything as bad as 'the singing budgie'!" (2004)
"I take in my stride and try not to take any notice of anything they say. I guess when they say mean things about me it's because they haven't really met me. I don't know what I did wrong, but everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I'm open to their opinions." (2002)
On the Nikki Webster fashion range
"I've always wanted to have my own clothing range but never thought it would come true. I've seen a few children walking around in the clothes and it's like 'wow!' It's amazing! It's so rewarding to see that someone is enjoying what I've designed." (2004)
"It's such fun, from the design I draw, to the colour board and then the sample and then seeing it in the shops!" (2003)
Other
"Shirley Temple was my idol when I was young. I had all the movies. I just thought she was gorgeous and I thought she just lit up the screen." (2007)