Category: 2004

Nikki’s all grown up!

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The Olympic golden girl has grown into a fully-fledged pop princess, all without a hint of scandal.

Funny man Rove McManus pretended to spike her lemonade – and she once trashed Michael Jackson’s hotel suite – but that’s the extent of any scandal in pint-sized singer Nikki Webster’s past. No Drew Barrymore-style stints in rehab, no battles with booze and pills, no anorexia or bulimia scares, not even any unsuitable boyfriends.

“In fact, no serious boyfriends at all,” laughs Australia’s former child sweetheart, who flew to worldwide fame as “Hero Girl” at the Sydney Olympics in front of four billion TV viewers. “Maybe the time will come one day.”

At 17, the curly-haired poppet’s all grown up. And still the only secret in her closet is a serious fashion habit, courtesy of her best-selling Kmart clothing range. She may be a good girl, but this teenager is far from ordinary, whatever she might say. After all, how many 17-year-olds have partied with Michael Jackson? Nikki sang a duet with Michael, before his subsequent disgrace, on the then-superstar’s HIStory tour of Australia. It was her first, and only, brush with rock ‘n’ roll-style bad behavior.
Continue reading Nikki’s all grown up!

The Big Arvo interview

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Interview by Luke Jacobz

[We’ll Be One plays]

Luke: At the age of thirteen my guest became one of the most recognisable Australians in history. She’s performed with Michael Jackson, she’s been nominated for ARIA’s, plus she’s also doing her HSC. Most importantly, she is my friend. Nikki Webster, how are you?

Nikki: Good!

Luke: OK Nikki, greatest hit album at 17. Why?

Nikki: Why? Well basically it’s just kind of to say this is four years from the Olympics, and you know I’m turning 18, so just to kind of sum up what I’ve done over the past couple of years. It’s got the Olympic tracks on. Continue reading The Big Arvo interview

Nikki Webster, Gotham Records & BMG Australia Part Ways

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Immediate Release
December 2004

At the age of 13 years old Nikki Webster secured her record deal with Gotham/ BMG and has since released 4 albums – Follow Your Heart, Bliss, Let’s Dance and Best of Nikki Webster. However the agreement between Nikki Webster and Gotham/BMG has expired, enabling Nikki to explore new opportunities and musical directions.

“I feel that that in order to grow as a recording artist, I need to have the opportunity to explore the music world and work with a range of different people, which will broaden my knowledge of the industry. I was given the opportunity to work hand in hand with Gotham/BMG and have learnt so much from them individually and collectively but its time for me to find new direction and see where it will take me. Thank you all for your support.”   By Nikki Webster

During her time with Gotham/BMG, Nikki gained new experiences and worked with some amazing people. She has received an Aria nomination, released four albums, performed the theme song for Disney’s The Jungle Book 2, starred in the successful stage production of Wizard of Oz, and has performed all around the world.

Nikki has just released the Best of Nikki Webster, which sums up the past four years and closes the first chapter of Nikki’s recording career. It also gives Nikki the opportunity to be free to embark on the next chapter of her musical journey.

2005 is shaping up to be a busy year for Nikki.  After a well earned break over Christmas, Nikki will be touring in January with her Best Day’s Tour (Which will be Nikki’s 3rd tour in 12 months), participate in a series of engagements and will continue to work on her successful Kmart apparel & accessories range.  Nikki is also considering a number of other media opportunities for 2005.

Nikki continues to be represented by Williamson Management.

Nikki’s grown-up life

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Songstress Nikki Webster talks about life, the HSC and the release of her new album.

You’re about to launch a new album and sit for your HSC. How have you coped?
I am crazy! The HSC has already started. During my school holidays I was performing but I’ve been studying hard. It’s been frantic but good. I just kind of juggle everything around.

Your album, The Best of Nikki Webster is out on November 29. What can we expect?
There will be no new material but there will be Under Southern Skies from the Olympics. They are songs that really mean something to me. Strawberry Kisses would have to be my favourite because it was my first song. And I’d also have to say Don’t Give Up because I co-wrote that one earlier this year.

Let’s Dance – was that song written by Delta Goodrem?
It was co-written by Delta, Mark Holden and a guy called Axel Breitung. I have done a lot of work with Mark and he knows what I like.

You turn 18 next year – is the new look to distinguish yourself from that image of the young girl from the Olympics?
It’s been four years since the Olympics and people are suddenly realising I am older. I’m growing up. I don’t live in a bubble. I can look quite young so it’s good to look my age.

Do you think people will always remember you as that flying girl from the Sydney Olympics?
It hasn’t bothered me. I did it for my country but it only annoys me when people only remember that and ignore my other achievements.

What do you plan to do once the HSC is over? Are you going to Schoolies?
I’m not going to Schoolies – I don’t have any real plans. I’m going to take a break to figure out what I want to do. I’m going to the US for a holiday and then I’ll holiday with my family for Christmas. Hopefully I’ll be able to combine music and fashion in my future but I’m always up for new things. I’d like to get into writing more music. I like to challenge myself.

By Monique Butterworth

Source: New Idea
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Star’s worst stage fright – exams

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She’s performed in front of millions worldwide but for singer Nikki Webster, the HSC exams are far more terrifying.

The 17-year-old star will sit for her final exam tomorrow before jetting off to the US to check out the latest fashion trends for her clothing range.

“Sitting an exam is the scariest thing ever,” Webster said. “I can get up and I can perform and that doesn’t take anything out of me, but sitting in a corridor waiting to go into an exam is just crazy.”

She has finished her maths and English papers and will sit for drama tomorrow. She completed HSC subjects music and business studies in year 11. Between completing year 12 at the McDonald College in Strathfield, Webster has juggled performances, her clothing range and a “best of” album, to be released next month.

Source: The Sun-Herald
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“I Met Nikki Webster”

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D-Girl reader Edwina was lucky enough to be our roving celeb reporter, and got to interview one of her fave singers, Nikki Webster!

DG: How many music lessons do you have a year?
N: Probably one a week but sometimes none, so it just depends. If I’m performing, my performances are kind of my music lessons I suppose.

DG: When you were in The Wizard of Oz how did you go to school?
N: When I was doing Wizard of Oz I had a full-time tutor. My school work was sent home and I worked with the tutor. He also went to the shows with me. But otherwise, I go to school.

DG: Do you have any pets?
N: I do. I have two dogs. One called Star and one called Princess. I have a bird called Cheeky and I have a fish called Angelwings. I also have a duck who doesn’t live with me anymore, but his name is Quackers.

DG: I like wearing the Nikki Webster clothes. Do you design them?
N: I do. I design them straight from when I’m drawing them on a piece of paper, to seeing them designed on the computer, to actually seeing them made, and then seeing you walking around in them.

DG: What is your latest album Let’s Dance like?
N: It’s mostly dance but it’s got a kind of rock feel. Basically, it’s for people who like to dance, so it’s full of really upbeat songs. There are six original songs that have been written specially for the album and six remakes. It’s different from my last album because it has a story to it, and really different beats and perspectives.
Continue reading “I Met Nikki Webster”

Nikki’s just fan-tastic for Dan

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BY DAVID SEALE

SHE might not be the object of affection for many six-year-old boys, but for Daniel Hughes, Nikki Webster was “the bomb”.

The child star of the Sydney 2000 Olympics has been a great source of joy for Daniel, who used Nikki’s music as motivation during months of hospital downtime and a year at home in isolation to give his immune system a chance to recover from an extensive bout of chemotherapy.

Daniel, of Conder, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 2. Since then he has undergone a bone-marrow transplant, endured with unfaltering acceptance big needles rammed into his thigh and, despite relapsing twice, he’s a smiler.

Yesterday, the boy who wants to be a Bobcat driver met the two loves of his life: nature and Nikki.
Continue reading Nikki’s just fan-tastic for Dan

Smells like tween spirit

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Nikki Webster is now 17, but is she acting her age? Craig Mathieson reports.

In an empty auditorium at the Yarraville Club, Nikki Webster is singing to her past. Standing on stage, running through Somewhere Over the Rainbow as part of her pre-show soundcheck, the 17-year-old pop star is clad in black: leather jacket, jeans and boots.

A few metres to her right, on a large video screen, is an image of herself as a 13-year-old, all perfect teeth and an explosion of pink. She’s older now but her image is still the sweetly precocious girl thrust into the public eye at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

It’s the last day of the Victorian leg of Webster’s latest national tour, which has taken in locations from Ballarat to Ferntree Gully. She hits the road during school holidays; shows are at either 11am or 2pm – sometimes both – and feature Webster singing, in a strong voice for her size, over a recorded backing track while four dancers run through choreographed routines behind her.

It’s a sturdy business framework. Nikki Webster is already a brand name. She’s released three albums, appeared in musicals and now has a signature clothing range. A new line, designed by Webster, appears every two months, in competition with the range by America’s titans of tween, 18-year-old twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Continue reading Smells like tween spirit

Nikki comes of age

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Olympic singing sensation is ready to take on the world.

Pop princess Nikki Webster turns 17 this month – and she’s ready to take on the world. However, her busy schedule hasn’t left much time for romance and, just like the song on her last album, she’s still Never Been Kissed!

“My friends and I all kiss each other on the cheek but no, not a boyfriend. I haven’t found anyone that I feel comfortable with yet. Hopefully, that will come,” she tells Woolworth’s Fresh.

And so on April 30, when Nikki turns 17, she’ll spend the night having a quiet dinner with her mum Tina and dad Mark in their inner Sydney home – the same way she spent her 16th birthday. On the weekend a few gal pals will come over for “some dancing” but the music will “definitely not” be from one of her albums!

“They would probably love it if we played some of those – I’d be embarrassed,” she adds.

Most Australians would find it hard to imagine Nikki shirking away from the limelight. After all, in the last four years this baby-faced singer has grown up right before our eyes. Energetic Nikki became world-famous as the fearless high-flying 13-year-old performer at the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony – appearing before a TV audience of four billion. Continue reading Nikki comes of age

Nikki mobbed by young fans

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Narromine’s Australia Day ambassador Nikki Webster was mobbed by fans from the moment she arrived at the showground to celebrate Australia Day with the locals. And she obliged everyone who asked for an autograph or a picture with great grace and patience.

Nikki said she chose Narromine as her destination because she had never been here and she figured not too many celebrities get to visit a town this size. “Australia Day is a great day to celebrate, and just looking around you can see the spirit,” she said. “This is a great community with a great spirit and I just hope everyone has a great day.”

She gave a stirring speech acknowledging the hard work of volunteers and junior achievers in the town, adding she loved the experience of getting to know the people of Narromine. Nikki had the honour of presenting the Australia Day Awards, the most prestigious of which, Citizen of the Year, went to Norm Daniels for his work with the Narromine cub scouts.

Source: Narromine News