Olympic hero Nikki Webster reveals she nearly left Australia for good due to gossip and cruel comedians

IT’S ALL very well to sing your way into a nation’s history, to dance in the sky above billions of mesmerised eyes and play the starring role in Australia’s finest hour before bedtime.

Before your 14th birthday.

But how do you float back down? How do you return to normal?

“I don’t think I ever did,” Nikki Webster tells The Saturday Telegraph in her sunny Leichhardt dance studio. “I think it became my normal. Which is not a bad thing. It became my life.”

On a breezy night 15 years ago this week, Nikki Webster launched “the best Olympic Games ever” with exquisite innocence, oozing talent and a familiar toothy grin.

Over the succeeding fortnight, Sydney presented to the world a celebration of sporting greatness, culture and charm not since matched by any city on the planet.

Ask any Sydneysider who was lucky enough to live through it and they will agree: life was never so sweet in the Harbour City.

And Australia nearly lost the girl who kicked it all off. Vicious gossip and public criticism came very close to driving Nikki Webster out of the country for good.

“You think as a performer you just go out and do your thing and the audience judge you. But to have media judge you and have people who have never met you judge you was a hard thing for me to cope with as a teenager,” she says.

“It was dark.

“It was what everyone calls tall poppy syndrome.

“I was just this young naive artist trying to make a go and work hard.

“I’d worked damn hard and I wasn’t getting the reception. I couldn’t understand it.

“Then people were telling me how I needed to change my career and break through like a Britney and change my image and I was thinking ‘is this me?’. It was confusing.

“It was quite dark and I think that’s why I went to LA, because I thought ‘I need to do this by myself’.”

When Webster was Stateside she was a young woman in a big new city and wasn’t exposed to cruel jokes and gossip writers trying to chain her to her childhood.

She was free.

And she considered staying put: “I did question whether I wanted to come back as an artist here at all.

“All the comedians, I was the punchline of everyone’s joke and I was just a kid.

“It was hard, because I’m such an Aussie girl, to go ‘I don’t know if I want to be there’.”

But Nikki Webster is brave. Only brave girls yell “can I fly higher?!” during hair-raising dress rehearsals for an acrobatics display that won the hearts of the world.

And she loved the country she did so proud.

So she came back home and set up a dance studio with her brother. She married Qantas flight attendant Matthew McMah and last year gave birth to Skylah, a contender for the cutest little girl in Australia.

“She loves music,” says Webster.

“She does a little ballet dance class and she just loves to dance and she loves watching the kids here at the studio. She absolutely adores it and she gets treated like royalty because she’s the cutest thing to all the big kids.”

Skylah is also learning to swim at the Olympic Park aquatic centre — metres from the site of a performance that shot her mummy into the stratosphere.

“I remember standing watching Cathy Freeman light the cauldron and I was counting. I’m not very good at maths, so I was going 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 — where will I be?” she says. “I don’t think I ever thought I’d be a mum in 15 years, that’s for sure.

“To have a daughter that could hopefully look up to me and I could make proud is just awesome. It’s cool to leave that legacy behind, whatever I do, I’ve done that.”

And how magic “that” was.

Proud mum Nikki: I feel like it’s my birthday!

Australia’s sweetheart Nikki Webster goes all out for her little girl’s big day, reports SHARI NEMENTZIK

With an elaborate candy bar of lollipop cakes and personalised cookies, a three-tier pink and gold cake and a jumping castle in the shape of Cinderella’s Carriage, Skylah’s first birthday party is a dream come true for her famous mum Nikki Webster.

“I started thinking about it as soon as she was born,” reveals an excited Nikki, who spent months planning the over the top birthday bash. “Skylah’s my best friend and it was so much fun.”

It’s hard to believe the curly-haired, freckle-faced 13-year-old who stole our hearts at the Sydney Olympics 15 years ago is now mum to a gorgeous 1-year-old girl, with husband Matthew McMah, 35.

“Nikki was virtually identical to this one,” says her mum Tina as she helps tiny Skylah into her custom0made party outfit. “Except Skylah has more hair. I had to stick a bow to Nikki’s head with sticky tape because she had no hair!”

For the big day, Nikki’s Sydney home is transformed into a pink playground fit for a princess. “I feel like it’s my birthday party!” exclaims Nikki, 27, also decked out in top-to-toe pink.

“Skylah hasn’t got to the age where she can choose, so I’m going to get her in as much pink while I can. She’ll probably end up choosing everything black when she’s older!”

While the set-up may seem extravagant for a first birthday, it seems the Websters are known for their memorable bashes. “I always had amazing parties,” says Nikki. “They were the ones everyone wanted to be invited to. I used to have massive disco parties, and one year I had monkeys!”

And it’s clear the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. “I have such great memories of our parties and I want that for Skylah,” says the proud first-time mum.

But considering the 70-plus guests, dad Matthew has other plans. “She’ll get a 16th, 18th and 21st only!” he jokes. “She’s growing up too fast!”

Pictures: Philip Castleton/BauerSyndication.com.au
Hair & makeup: Carla McKeever
Party planner: Decor by Yael

Source: Woman’s Day
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Meet Nikki Webster’s little princess: ‘She’s a Mini-me!’

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.

Via Woman’s Day
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Nikki Webster shows off her baby daughter, announces new music

NIKKI Webster has introduced her baby daughter Skylah to TV audiences and spoken of how she is “loving every minute” of motherhood.

Webster appeared on Seven’s The Daily Edition yesterday afternoon, showing off several pictures of her two-month-old baby girl.

It’s been 14 years since the now 26-year-old rose to fame during the Sydney Olympics.

In that time, she has married her now husband Mark McMah in November 2012 and welcomed a daughter on February 6.

When asked if her daughter would follow in her mum’s footsteps, Webster replied: “Am I going to be a dance mum? I don’t know, I hope not. I think it’s a matter of whatever she wants to do. I was lucky enough to have parents that supported my career and my choice and I hope that I can do that for Skylah, whether that’s in dance or performing arts.

“I do own two dance studios, so her whole wardrobe is tutus from all the kids at the studio. She’s glitz and glam every day when she sees the kids and all the kids want to teach her dance moves so I don’t think she’s going to have any choice, but it’ll be up to her whether she wants it as a career,’ she said.

“But it would be nice if she was a lawyer or something that could support me in my old age.”

The Strawberry Kisses singer was also on the show to announce she is releasing new music.

“I’ve been recording some new music in Nashville and I just love it. It’s real kind of pop-driven, really positive, great tracks so I’m really happy with the music and I can’t wait to release it and hopefully make everyone proud, including my daughter now.”

Webster also became embarrased during the show when co-host Tom Williams revealed the young singer gave him a Valentine’s Day card when they appeared on Dancing With The Stars together in 2005.

“Yeah, yeah I did,” she admitted. “I think I gave him some Strawberry Kisses.”

Source: Perth Now

Meet my baby Skylah! Nikki Webster proudly introduces her newborn girl

By Sally Lee

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 14 years since Nikki Webster first rose to fame when she flew over the Sydney Olympic crowd.

She was just 13 when she stole the hearts of many as she stepped onto the stage in her sweet summer dress and golden locks tied in pink bow ties as she performed Under Southern Skies.

But now the 26-year-old is all grown up and has taken on motherhood after the birth of her first child Skylah.

The vocalist and her husband Mark McMah, who tied the knot in November 2012, welcomed their new daughter on February 6.

Webster told Channel Seven’s The Daily Edition that she’s loving her new role.

The Strawberry Kisses singer, who currently runs two dance studios, even hinted that Skylah’s future may already be paved with stardom – whether she likes it or not.

‘It’ll be up to her whether she wants it as a career,’ she said.

‘But then again she might not have a choice.’

The new mother also announced on the program that a new pop-driven album is in the works.

‘I’m very happy with the music so hopefully it’ll make everyone proud including my daughter,’ she said.

Webster appeared on Dancing With The Stars in 2005 but was later criticised for having an unfair advantage over other contestants due to her previous dancing experience.

She was eliminated in week six after judge Todd McKenney gave her a score of one out of ten.

In the same year, a racy Nikki appeared on the May cover of FHM magazine after she was asked to do the shoot in celebration of turning 18.

She was subsequently voted seventh in the FHM Australia 100 Sexiest Women 2005 list.

Source: dailymailco.uk

Nikki Webster Had A Baby Girl

Nikki Webster is all grown up – in fact, she’s the mother of a baby girl now!

You might remember Nikki best as the girl in the pink dress who flew over the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony. Or maybe you remember the girl in pink vinyl singing Strawberry Kisses. Maybe the FHM shoot as a 17 year old? The Zoo Weekly pictures? Or the hyper sexual musical comeback?

Well all that is behind her, because Nikki and her husband Matthew are now proud parents to baby Skylah.

“I think people still see me as being young and can’t see me as being a mum yet,” she told Woman’s Day.

“I can’t believe I’m a mum! It’s the most incredible feeling to be given your child. It was magical and also a bit unbelievable. I’ve held newborns before but to think she is yours and you have to look after her and nurture her for her whole life…it’s pretty overwhelming.”

So what has Nikki been doing all this time? She owns her own dance school! It’s called Dance @ Nikki Webster and there are studios in Sydney and the Central Coast.

Congrats Nikki – you grew up in the spotlight, but you made it out the other side and turned into a normal grown up. We think you’ll be a great mum.

Source: The Hot Hits

Nikki Webster: Meet My Little Star

The angel of the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony is all grown up… and she’s mum to a gorgeous baby girl! By SHARI NEMENTZIK.

Nikki Webster will forever be remembered as the freckle-faced, curly-haired cutie who flew high above the crowd at the Sydney Olympics 14 years ago. But the baby-faced singer is certainly all grown up now. Nikki, 26, married her sweetheart Matthew McMah, 34, in a fairytale ceremony in 2012 and, just last month, the loved-up couple welcomed their first child, daughter Skylah.

“I think people still see me as being young and can’t see me as being a mum yet,” laughs Nikki, cradling tiny Skylah in her arms. “I can’t even believe I’m a mum! It’s the most incredible feeling to be given your child. It was magical and also a little bit unbelievable. I’ve held newborns before but to think she is yours and you have to nurture her for her whole life… it’s pretty overwhelming,” she admits.

But watching the smitten couple with their bub, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’ve been parents for years. “I read an article once that said you don’t know unconditional love until you look into your child’s eyes,” says Matt, who works for an airline. “When I first looked into Skylah’s eyes, that really resonated with me. I look at this little person and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her safe.”

Matt’s protective-dad instincts have certainly kicked in. “He is locking her up already so boys can’t have her,” jokes Nikki. “She’s not allowed to date until she’s 37!” adds Matt. Luckily for little Skylah, her youthful mum has her back. “I think the most exciting thing is building a relationship with her and having a best friend,” she says. “She can always come to me with any boy trouble and I will be there to help her and encourage her to follow her dreams.”

And she’s already looking to be following in her mum’s footsteps. “She does have strong lungs… whether she’s in pitch or not, I’m not sure,” laughs Nikki. “But we know she loves music.” So has Nikki introduced Skylah to some of her smash hits? “No, but I should start singing Strawberry Kisses to her,” she jokes. “That will make her go to sleep!”

Skylah is definitely Mum’s little princess. “I love dressing her up,” exclaims Nikki. “You open up her wardrobe and everything’s pink.” Skylah came into the world a day before her due date. “It was a beautiful process but very painful,” says Nikki of her 15-hour labour with no pain relief. “I hated seeing her in agony,” says Matt. “When our baby was finally with us, I sobbed for five minutes.”

The happy couple, who met on a blind date set up by their siblings, are closer than ever before, thanks to their beautiful new addition. “I think we have a deeper appreciation for each other because he saw what I went through and it’s really intense,” says Nikki. “We’re working as a team because this is all new to us.”

So will Skylah have any siblings? “Oh gosh, one at a time!” says Nikki. “When she first came out after all that pain, I looked at her and said, ‘You know what, honey? I think you’re going to be an only child for a while.'”

Meet
SKYLAH TIA McMAH

Born: February 6, 2014
Weight: 2.77kg
Height: 48cm

Pictures: Phillip Castleton, Getty Images.
Hair and makeup: Helen Dowsley.
Stylist: Pip Cook.

Source: Woman’s Day
View scans of this article.

2dayFM Breakfast – interview transcript

Jules Lund: One person I’ve always wondered about, and you know, it’s a home grown story, Nikki Webster at the 2000 Olympics. She gets out there, she is Australia’s darling.

Sophie Monk: Yeah.

Jules: A lot of pressure on her at that point – what is she gonna do after this? Everyone was talking about her, and you know I admire her because she was able to hold on. And she’s never gone off the tracks but she still had to endure that pressure.

Sophie: Yeah.

Jules: And we’ve got Nikki on the line. Nikki Webster, welcome to the show.

Nikki Webster: Good morning, guys.

Jules: Hi Nikki! So Nikki, what’s your opinion on all this? A lot of people are saying you can’t put pressure on your kids even if they’re going to be successful, and on the other side of the coin people are saying you have to let them live their own life.

Nikki: Absolutely, I think it’s a little of both. I mean I was the driving force in my passion for dance and wanting to be an entertainer and a performer, and you know I did my first stage show at five and I kind of just found this love for it and felt really comfortable there, whereas doing sport I was completely not comfortable. So it was something I kept pushing my parents for. And I think the most important thing is that the parents are supportive, everybody’s realistic about expectations, everybody’s on the same journey and um, I was kind of blessed to have the most amazing family where we’d sit down and we’d stay really grounded. I still had to go to school. Everything else was still in place, but I was supported to follow my passion and dream, and I don’t think holding kids back from when they’re given an opportunity, you know like the Olympics or like a big sports event, holding them back – if they’ve worked so hard and really have an incredible passion and drive for it – helps. And I think what [caller] Rebecca said, that really hit home to me as well, because if I was held back I don’t know what I’d be doing. It is who I am.

Sophie: I think it comes down to good parents. Like everyone I meet that hasn’t got an issue since they were little, their parents are rock solid.

Nikki: Yeah, and they don’t get caught up in it as well. You know, a lot of parents can start not being stage parents or athlete’s parents, and then they can get caught up in all this hype and everybody around them that’s telling them this, and managers telling them this and that. It’s about keeping normality in your life, and just trying to go on that journey and supporting. I mean, I had an incredible life. I got to travel the world, I got to meet superstars and I got to record albums at 13. So I wouldn’t want to take that away at all.

Jules: And we’ve seen all the positives. What are some of the negatives of feeling that pressure and having success so young?

Nikki: Tall poppy syndrome (laughs).

Sophie: Yeah.

Nikki: People judging you before they’ve actually met you. As a young teenager who is not only going through puberty and schoolyard antics, but to have that on an Australian scale, on a bigger scale, and…

Jules: What was the worst moment for you? Because we’ve seen stuff dragged out in the press every now and then.

Nikki: Yeah.

Jules: What was the moment that just really crushed you?

Nikki: I think it was the, you know, the point where I was about fifteen, sixteen, where everybody just turned. It went from me being a beautiful little hero girl to the media thinking I was, you know, there was something wrong and I was media prepped and I was too good at talking. They couldn’t find anything so they needed to make a good story, which I get now but at fifteen I was going –

Jules: Ouch.

Nikki: “Oh my God, nobody likes me!” And you know, I’d go to school and friends’d say, “Oh my God, did you read what they said?” and I’d be like, “No! I try not to read the good or the bad.” But…

Jules: Good on you, Nik.

Nikki: I think that was the hardest.

Sophie: God, you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Did you get therapy to help you through it?

Nikki: No. No, you just find your way and you’ve gotta be strong, and you know, at the end of the day all I wanted to do was sing and dance and no-one was gonna stop me doing that.

Sophie: Right.

Jules: Yep.

Nikki: And I just kept that in my mindset and knew that I was a good person. I mean I knew that what I was doing was great, and had so much fun doing it, so I just kept that in my head and didn’t worry about the people that I’d never met before (laughs).

Jules: Well done, Nik. You’re a lot stronger than most people.

Sophie: Stronger than me.

Nikki: Well, yeah I don’t think it’s for everyone, absolutely. I think that’s why it’s gotta be done on an individual basis. It is tough, and the kid’s gotta wanna do it. If the kid’s pushed then I absolutely know, but if the kid is the driving force, then I think support it and nurture it, absolutely.

Jules: We’ve been asking the question whether we should hold back kids from success in light of what Thorpie’s going through at the moment. It’s very tough to have success from a young age.

Source: 2day FM
Listen here.

Nikki Webster’s dancing with joy

To many of us, Nikki Webster will always be that bright-eyed, curly-haired poppet who flew high above Olympic Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Games. But 13 years on, the 26-year-old is taking another magical journey – starting a family with husband Matthew McMah, 33.

“It’s what everybody dreams of,” smiles Nikki, who is almost seven months pregnant. “We feel very lucky and can’t wait to be parents.”

Although the newlyweds, who tied the knot in Sydney 13 months ago, weren’t planning on having kids so soon, they’re thrilled. “We weren’t trying, so it was a beautiful surprise,” says Nikki. “I felt a bit strange, so I went to the doctor and the first thing she did was hand me a pregnancy test. I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ But it was positive!”

Nikki, who runs her own dance studios, couldn’t wait to break the news to Matt. “I took the test home, wrapped it up and gave it to him.”

“I cried,” admits Matt. “I was over the moon. I don’t think anything, apart from the wedding day, can beat that feeling.”

While many couples frantically scramble to kit out the nursery, Nikki and Matt are in no rush. “I’m just enjoying where I’m at and I think Matt can set it up while I’m in hospital, can’t he? Isn’t that what men do?” laughs Nikki, eyeing her husband. “I’m very superstitious, too. I don’t want anything set up in the house until the baby is born.”

The pair won’t find out the sex of their baby but they know just what qualities they want their bub to inherit from each other. “I hope it can cook and clean and wash like Matt, because it certainly won’t get that gene from me!” jokes Nikki. “I’m a self-confessed house-husband,” confirms Matt, who works for an airline. “If I had to pick qualities from Nikki, it’d definitely be her drive, her passion and her looks, because I don’t want it to look like me!”

“I was a really ugly baby, I just want to put that out there,” laughs Nikki.

As they argue over what other traits they want their bub to inherit, one thing is certain – it will be a talented tot. “Hopefully is has Nikki’s artistic side and my sporty side,” says Matt, a keen soccer player.

“Or who knows? It could miraculously be a genius,” giggles Nikki. “I wouldn’t know what to do if it tried to make me sit down and do maths homework!”

Either way, they know they’re in for the ride of their lives. “We’re going to make mistakes,” says Matt. “But it’s all about trying to provide the best possible life for the baby.”

“And having fun as well!” smiles Nikki.

Words: Shari Nementzik
Pictures: Yianni Aspradakis
Hair and make-up: Lores Giglio
Syling: Maia Liakos

Source: Woman’s Day
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Baby on board for Nikki

Former child star Nikki Webster is set to become a mother. The 26-year-old singer, who tied the knot with her long-time love Matthew McMah last year, revealed to Woman’s Day magazine that the couple were expecting their first child together, due early next year.

“We weren’t trying, so it was a beautiful surprise,” Webster, above, who is seven months pregnant, told the magazine. “We feel very lucky and can’t wait to be parents.”

McMah said he burst into tears when he heard the news.

“I was oven the Moon,” he said. “I don’t think anything, apart from the wedding day, can beat that feeling.”

Since being thrust into the spotlight 13 years ago for her opening-ceremony performance at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Webster has gone on to forge a successful career.

The mum-to-be has three albums under her belt and currently runs her own dance studio.

Source: Yahoo!7