The darling of the Sydney Olympics is over the moon with her little lookalike, reports Shari Nementzik.
Despite her initial first-time mum nerves, Nikki Webster has taken to motherhood like a fish to water – and her gorgeous girl Skylah looks to be following in her famous footsteps. “It’s been such a wonderful journey and it’s so much fun,” says Nikki, 27. “I think every mother says it, but it’s a different kind of love … an unconditional, incredible love.
“Motherhood is obviously challenging and tiring, but it’s the wonderful moments like seeing her smile and hearing her say ‘Mummy’ that make it all worth it,” she grins, gazing at her “princess”. “It’s just amazing to watch her grow.”
Little showstopper
It’s been 10 months since Nikki and her husband Matthew McMah, 34, welcomed their precious girl into the world, and she’s growing up to resemble her iconic mother.
“I think it’s the eyes – she’s got these massive eyes!” laughs Nikki, while bouncing petite Skylah on her lap. “I mean, my mum always says she used to get stopped in the shops because of my eyes as a kid. And now I get it with her… it’s really nice.”
Watching Nikki dote on Skylah, who has already taken her first steps, it’s clear to see they share a very special mother-daughter bond. “It’s a bit of a sore point,” jokes Nikki, eyeing Matt. “Her first word was Mummy, then Daddy, then bubba… and then she said puppy.”
“I still blame the fact I was away with work,” quips Matt, who works for an airline.
Cherished moments
But it seems Skylah is just as much daddy’s little girl as she is mummy’s. “He’s a fantastic dad,” beams Nikki. “They have an awesome bond and he spoils her like crazy.”
Skylah is certainly a very lucky girl – her wardrobe is overflowing with frills and adorable outfits fit for a little princess. “She has two full wardrobes,” says Matt. “She has more clothes than me!”
“Mummy loves pinks,” admits Nikki sheepishly. “I seriously thought I was having a little boy, so to have a little girl to dress up is fantastic and I feel pretty lucky. She’s a girlie girl – she even has her ears pierced!”
But there’s a new addition to Skylah’s dress collection that stands out from the rest – a replica of the pink-and-white hibiscus frock that made Nikki famous.
“It’s pretty exciting to have a little dress for her,” she gushes.
“It’s something we’ll treasure and we’ll store the dresses together in a special place.”
Next year marks 15 years since Nikki shot to stardom when the then freckle-faced and curly-haired 13-year-old cutie soared high above Sydney’s Olympic Stadium in front of the 110,000-strong crowd and 3.7 billion people watching around the world.
“I’m an Aussie girl and to be given that opportunity at such a young age, to represent the country, it was my most incredible moment… well, until I had Skylah, now that tops the list of course!” smiles Nikki.
For the happy mum, who pulled her original dress out of storage for Woman’s Day’s photoshoot, seeing it again brings a massive smile to her face.
“It’s just a sundress and for a lot of people it’s just a little bit of pink lycra or whatever and I know it’s not the most glamorous dress in the world, but to me it has a lot of memories.
“That night has so many incredible moments for me and I remember watching Cathy Freeman lighting the flame and I was counting in my head, ‘In this many years when the next Olympics is on, I’ll be this old… and in this many years I’ll be this old… I wonder if I’ll have kids by this year’.
“So to think I now have this little girl and she’s in the same dress, it’s pretty crazy.”
But Skylah has yet to see her mum’s claim to fame. “I’ve shown her the Teletubbies on YouTube, but that’s about it,” laughs Nikki. “Maybe it’s time to bring out the old Strawberry Kisses stuff!”
Skylah has inherited more than just her mum’s good looks, too. “She loves music and I sing to her,” says Nikki. “Her favourite song is Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” adds Matt.
She also loves watching Nikki’s students at the dance studio, especially ballet. “She waves her hands in the air when the music comes on,” reveals Nikki, adding that she and Matt will support Skylah no matter what her chosen path may be.
I often take Skylah swimming at Olympic Park – that’s where it all began for me,” says Nikki. “Who knows what she’s going to do with her life. She might be into sport, she might be into music, I don’t know.
“It’s so exciting to share her journey. I just hope she has a love and a passion for something like I did. Performing was my passion and I got to do it and I hope she gets her opportunity, too.”
Pictures: Nick Cubbin/bauersyndication.com.au, Getty Images.
Makeup: Lores Giglio.
Styling: Pip Cook.
Nikki’s dress from Sheike.