What’s next for Nikki?
By Maisy Rae
Strawberry Kisses singer Nikki Webster is back in the spotlight after her 2001 hit became the Matildas’ unofficial anthem and propelled her back into the charts!
“It blows my mind that it lives on,” Nikki, 36, tells Woman’s Day. “It’s a song that keeps giving to me, and I think the song keeps giving to Aussies, too.”
The hit reached No. 2 on the ARIA Charts over 20 years ago after Nikki became famous overnight after appearing at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and last week climbed into Australia’s iTunes top 10, sparking hope of a comeback for the pop sensation.
“Never say never,” Nikki laughs. “I think that’s the beauty of being a performer – you’ve got to take opportunities. To see it live on, I’m like, yes, my 13-year-old self made a great choice!”
While her recent charting success hasn’t sparked an idea for an album just yet, Nikki says she isn’t ruling anything out after being recently contacted by the song’s producer.
“It’s been lovely to reconnect with people [from] that time – our lives are all busy, but the song always brings us back together,” she says.
On Top Again
The surprise comeback came when Nikki became the unlikely new member of the Matildas squad after it was revealed during the World Cup by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold that it’s the team’s go-to pre-game song.
While she wasn’t a football fan before, Nikki says she’s now become a Tillies devotee after being “wrapped up in the hype like everyone else”.
It was a no-brainer for her when she received a last-minute call to travel to Brisbane to give a surprise performance at the Matildas’ Keys to the City ceremony last weekend.
“The fun part was just watching them as they had no idea. Steph [Catley’s] face was the best – she was so shocked,” she says.
“Then, Sam Kerr got on the mic and she was fantastic – it’s a moment I’ll never forget.
“I just loved knowing that it gets [the players] in the vibe before the game. I think it’s also helping them relive their childhood – that’s what it does to me – it’s brought them back to that dream they had growing up.”
Nikki, who brought her two children, nine-year-old Skylah and five-year-old Malakai, along to the performance, says they were awestruck when they met the team.
“All their friends can’t believe they got to meet Sam Kerr,” Nikki laughs.
“But watching my daughter see these girls achieving their dreams was amazing. And for Malakai to look at girls being successful – I think it’s important for boys to be a part of that journey, too.”
Looking ahead
Has Nikki’s return to the spotlight caught the eye of any famous suitors?
Nikki says she hasn’t looked!
“There’s time to look, it’s just… what do you do? Where do you go? Online dating is a whole new world,” she says.
“I do hope one day maybe the right person will come along and it’ll just happen. But I’m really happy with where I’m at in life and being a mum – it’s my favourite job in the world.”
The Sydneysider, who split up from her husband many years ago, is kept busy running her dance schools in Sydney and on the Central Coast alongside her brother Scott.
When asked if her time on The Masked Singer in 2019 sparked a love for reality TV, perhaps even a future stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Nikki laughs and shakes her head vehemently.
“There are shows I would love to do that show a different side of who Nikki Webster is, for sure, but eating testicles and living in the jungle… I can’t say that would show the real Nikki,” she jokes.
“But I’d love to do Celebrity Apprentice! “Having run a small business for 15 years, I’d love to show that side of me, how to market, how to brand, how to be creative and work with a team.”
Nikki’s contribution to the Matildas campaign in the World Cup has also renewed calls for her to play a part in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, with an online petition available.
For now, though, Nikki says she’s just happy to be along for the ride. “The public has been really positive.
I think we needed it as a country, but I also needed it as a human to feel that love again,” she says. “I really appreciate that love from everyone.”