Child Stars – The Kerri-Anne Show

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Kerri-Anne was joined by former child star Nikki Webster on the back of her advice for AGT contestant Jack Vidgen.

Kerri-Anne: Well he’s the favourite to take out Australia’s Got Talent, the final, but now 14-year-old singing sensation Jack Vidgen is receiving very disturbing death threats via Facebook, which I guess begs the question, why are we so quick to criticize people who’ve enjoyed some success?

Nikki Webster grew up in the spotlight, knows all too well how brutal people and the media can be. Now she’s offering Jack some sound advice to help him avoid Australia’s tall poppy syndrome. She joins me to discuss how challenging it can be growing up a child star. Nikki, great to see you again.

Nikki: You too, you too. Good morning.

Kerri-Anne: It was interesting your remarks and advice to Jack Vidgen. You suggested that he leave the country, what’s behind that remark?

Nikki: It wasn’t so much ‘Get out of Australia.’ I love Australia, this is where my career started and I’m so grateful and blessed to have had the opportunities that I’ve had, and I wouldn’t change anything for the world. But I was asked to give Jack advice, and it was more the fact that the media can get quite vicious – and I hope it doesn’t for his sake – but they can get vicious, and it can affect his passion to perform and entertain, and if that’s gonna happen then he needs to go overseas and travel the world and make music throughout the world, and then Australia’s always gonna be here and we’re always gonna love him. So that was the context, that I was saying it to him.

Kerri-Anne: Are we still in the era that we appreciate our people more when they’ve gone away, done the big stuff, and come back – are we still in that era?

Nikki: You know, I think we are still in that era. When I look at the history, you know Kylie Minogue’s gone overseas, Danni’s gone overseas, there’s a lot of stars that’ve had to go overseas.

Kerri-Anne: And they’ve copped their own. Kylie: the singing budgie.

Nikki: Horrible, yeah.

Kerri-Anne: They’ve been [through] some really tough stuff. But what was is that affected you so much? You talk about how brutal the media and people can be, what do you mean by that?

Nikki: Um, I think it was more the fact that I was a 13-year-old girl who represented my country, had a wonderful opportunity, created music after that, all my dreams were fulfilled. Got to about fifteen and all of a sudden, media personalities who I thought I had a good relationship with were making me the brunt of their jokes and, you know I was sitting at home and they weren’t letting me on their show, and I was always the punch line of jokes. And I couldn’t really work out what was going on, and I’d go to school and people would say to me, “You’re this diva,” or this, that, the other, and I was like, “But you know me, we’ve grown up together.” And people were believing what they were reading and hearing more than the relationship I had with them.

Kerri-Anne: Why do you think people turn, in Australia? Is it very much the tall poppy syndrome, an Australian thing to go through?

Nikki: You know, I think it happens all over the world. I think we do put people up on a pedestal and then we kinda need to let them get a little bit rocky and give them a hard time and see if they can fight through. But I think in Australia it happens more so with our child stars – not our sports stars, we do support our sports stars – but with performers it does happen. Yes, everyone knows I went through it and I’m not crying out saying I want an apology. It happens.

Kerri-Anne: What was the most hurtful thing you remember, when you were fifteen or sixteen?

Nikki: [laughs] I think it was something where I was, I think it was on the Rove show, and they actually blew me up or something and, they had like a fake character of me and they blew me up. And I thought that was just a little bit inappropriate.

Kerri-Anne: It’s very hurtful to be constantly the butt of people’s jokes.

Nikki: And it does hurt your passion, as a child.

Kerri-Anne: And that’s what you think may happen to Jack?

Nikki: It could happen; I hope we’ve learnt and I hope we support him. He’s an incredible talent and I wish him all the best and you know I hope that we can watch his journey grow, wherever it may go musically.

Kerri-Anne: On the weekend Toddlers and Tiaras, a lot of hoo-ha about this sexualisation of young kids. How have you viewed that?

Nikki: I think we need kids to be kids. We’re only kids for such a short amount of time, we need to nurture kids, and when I opened my dance studio three years ago, it was for that reason. It was to nurture young performers, to share my experiences with them and to guide them, and protect them. You know, they’re so innocent and beautiful.

Kerri-Anne: Aren’t there parents who are just way too involved in a kid’s career?

Nikki: I think there are two sides. There are parents who live through their kids, and their kids aren’t really enjoying what they’re doing, and there are parents whose kids actually have talent, and would give up everything to make sure that kid has the best opportunity possible, to fulfil their dreams.

Kerri-Anne: Nikki, if you hadn’t been the big star you were from the Olympics, do you believe you would have had a better career and a better life?

Nikki: Not at all, not at all. My whole life has been performing. I started performing at the age of five and you know, I was doing musicals and TV, and performing and dancing. It was my dream! The fact that it came true at thirteen is just a blessing, and I wouldn’t change anything. It’s allowed me to open my dance studio, my talent agency, you know I’ve made music, I’ve done records. I’ve travelled the world and what more could a 13-year-old ask for?

Kerri-Anne: We’re just sorry for all those brickbats. Quite undeserved. But thank you.

Nikki: Definitely! Let’s support our talent and get behind them, because it’s a great thing we have incredible talent in this country.

Kerri-Anne: Well said. Nikki Webster, thank you.

Nikki: Thank you, so good to see you!

Source: Kerri-Anne
Watch the video here. View screencaps here.

Take40 Interview

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On what Devilicious means: “To me it just means girl power and having fun, and being a little bit cheeky but in a good way, and being a little bit devilish, and really being positive about self-image and being a girl in a nightclub, dancing away and getting rid of your fear.”

“I’m excited, I’m nervous, I’m you know worried about what’s gonna happen with it, but most of all it’s just great to finally be out and for people to be able to download it and start getting feedback.”

On the feedback: “It’s mixed and it was always gonna be mixed and I’m not gonna lie and say, ‘Oh my god it’s all positive!’ But I think we’re definitely breaking some ground. People are really listening to the track for what it is. It’s been four years since anybody’s really heard me sing and I think this track does what it’s supposed to: it showcases my vocals great and shows that I’ve progressed and I’m a pop diva, pop artist now! So it’s good fun.”

“I’m so lucky to have a huge gay following, and you know, one of my dreams is to get a float at Mardi Gras so [laughs] I think it’s great, and I think the great thing about doing pop-dance is you can get different DJ’s to remix the track and it sounds completely different. So I really wanna hit the clubs and start performing this track. I can’t wait to tour.”

Looking back on the young girl that appeared in the opening ceremony, what advice would you give to her if you could talk to her now?

“I’d probably say, ‘Surround yourself with good people.’ And… yeah, I guess I’d say that but I don’t think I’d say anything else because I think the great thing about what I did was the fact that I wasn’t media fed. It was innocent. Everything I did was innocent. There was no, I’ve said it before, there was no handbook, there was no ‘everybody knew what they were gonna do, this is stage-by-stage’. We were just flying, like we had sunglasses on, no-one knew what was coming next. ‘Okay, they called, let’s do that, let’s do that! Okay cool, that sounds fun, why don’t we do that?’ And we just went with it. If we made mistakes, we did, but I don’t live with regret, so I probably would just say, ‘Go out and have a good time and do what you do best and entertain.'”

What do you think about songs like Strawberry Kisses now, these days?

“I love it! I wish I wrote the track! [laughs] The great thing about it is it doesn’t matter how old people are, they still remember the chorus, and to me that’s a great sign of a pop song. I can be out with my friends and young guys will come up and they’ve had a few drinks and they’ll be singing Strawberry Kisses, and yeah they don’t know all the words, but they know the tune, and it amazes me! I’m like, ‘How do you know the tune? It so wouldn’t have been cool when you were 14, 15 to like Nikki Webster.’ So, I mean they’re taking the piss out of me when they’re singing it to me but I kinda get in there and sing it with them and go, ‘This is great!’ So I think it’s one of those songs that has been passed down in generations for some reason. At my dance studio I have five year olds singing it to me and they weren’t even born, so it’s obviously been passed down. It’s a good song.”

Source: Take40.com
Watch the video here!

NIKKI WEBSTER

How did you get your start in the music industry?
I guess I would have to say the Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Best part of the job?
Is that everyday is different. Getting to meet interesting people, and making music.

Worst part of the job?
The extreme highs and lows of the entertainment industry.

Any interesting experiences you can share?
Mmm, where do I start? I’ve been lucky enough to live a pretty exciting life and travel all around the world. One of the most interesting/fun experiences would have to be when me and my girlfriend party crashed an Oscars pre-party at Les Deux in LA last year. Once we got in and realised what party it was, we couldn’t stop laughing. We had the best night and by the end of the night, had all the pretentious LA people up on the dance floor!

Favourite CD of all time and why?
‘Rent The Musical Live Recording’ – Anytime I’m driving and feeling down, I pump up the volume and belt out the tracks to myself :)

Tell us about the best live show that you ever saw?
I think it would have to be a tie between the band “Five” (as I was in love with Scott from the band hahah) and Kylie’s show.

Favourite bars/clubs/pubs to hang out in?
Any thoughts?

What advice would you give to someone looking at getting involved in the music industry?
Always be true to yourself.

Take us through a typical “day in the life of Nikki Webster”.
It begins with answering numerous emails, dealing with the day to day running of my dance studio (Dance @ Nikki Webster), teaching my students singing, a few events, a little bit of singing, and ends with answering more emails.

Any news or final comments?
Well I think this is the point I get to give the shameless plug about my new single ‘Devilicious’ released on the 12th of June, haha! I’m really proud of this track. I had an amazing time writing it and the film clip was so much fun.

© Danny Canak

Source: SydneyUnleashed.com

Interview with Nikki Webster

At what age did you become interested in dance & entertainment?

Nikki Webster: I first started going to singing. dancing lessons at the age of 4 or 5… I just loved it… it was such a social thing for me. I was quite shy and it really allowed me to come out of my shell.

Can you describe how it makes you feel to perform?

Nikki Webster: Performing for me is just the best feeling you could ever imagine. Its like I’m on top of the world and I have no worries at all. The adrenaline mixed with the audiences’ appreciation for what you’re doing could not be more rewarding as an entertainer.

What were some of the challenges you faced to become a recognised dance & entertainer?

Nikki Webster: Well I wouldn’t call myself a recognised dancer, I love to dance but I guess I am a singer that dances. I guess one of the challenges that all performers are faced with is the unpredictability of the industry and work available… however we are all sop

What was you inspiration to open a Dance school?

Nikki Webster: To be able to give back to the youth of Australia, also to able to watch and have a hand in developing new Australian talent.

The dance school has combined acting and dancing, is acting important for a dancer?

Nikki Webster: I definitely believe that acting is important for dancers… when you dance you are expressing emotions and I think acting can only help this.

What types of dance do you offer at your dance school?

Nikki Webster: We offer everything, “ALL CLASSES, ALL LEVELS, ALL AGES” that’s our motto- Jazz/funk, tap, ballet, contemporary, singing, drama, musical theatre, hip hop, Latin/salsa, acrobatics.

Can you tell us some funny stories about teaching 3-5 year olds to dance?

Nikki Webster: They’re just so imaginative and unafraid… I think the funniest thing is how they are all obsessed with the mirrors… they love watching themselves it’s soooo cute

Which is your favourite type of dance? Why?

Nikki Webster: Mmm I have many. I really appreciate all forms of dance. I love watching my teachers choreograph and dance their hearts out – they are all so amazing!

Has your Dance School, changed your career objectives?

Nikki Webster: Not really. However it has made me more determined than ever to keep performing and producing music.

What are your aspirations for the future?

Nikki Webster: Hopefully over the next 5 years the school will grow and we will expand. I’d love to open up interstate as well. Musically I hope to keep releasing music and also just developing everything that goes along with that.

What effect do movies like Step Up Two have on you?

Nikki Webster: They are so inspirational. When I leave the cinema all I want to do is get up and dance!

Are the challenges the dancers face in Step Up 2 unique and realistic?

Nikki Webster: I think they are realistic for growing up in that part of America. I guess its hard for me to comment as I grew up in Australia.

Do you hope to get into the dance movie industry?

Nikki Webster: I’d love to do a film that incorporated dancing and acting. I think the filming process would be soooo much fun.

60 Second Quiz
Full Name: Nikki Webster
Nickname(s): Mighty Mouse, Nickway
Star Sign: Taurus
Music Talent: Singer
Favourite Food/ DRINK: Chai Latte
Favourite Film: Centre Stage
Favourite Actor: Ashton Kutcher
Pets: 2 dogs – star and princess
Best Feature: mmm – I am not really sure. I guess I have to say my brown eyes
Worst Feature: where do I start! Hehehe…. I talk too much
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Madonna
Hobbies/Interests: Movies, games nights with friends
First Job: Cinderella the Pantomime
Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: I am a bit of all three depending on what mood I’m in and also what crowd of friends I’m hanging out with. At the moment I am finding myself more of a bar person.
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: My mobile
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: How many things I need to get done in the day and to feel accomplished.

Source: Girl.com.au

My Sexy New Life

Seven years ago Nikki Webster captured Australian hearts at the Sydney Olympics. Now a 20-year-old woman, Nikki is branching out by taking on some very challenging and confronting roles. She’s currently appearing on stage in the hit musical Rent, and recently performed at Sydney’s Sleaze Ball alongside Human Nature’s Toby Allen. When she’s not in her homeland, Nikki’s been busy carving out a singing and songwriting career in Los Angeles. We caught up with her in the US to see how Tinseltown is treating her.

The singing sensation shows us around her second home.

Q: So what made you decide to head to LA?
A: I’m here for songwriting. I’ve been working with and meeting producers, trying to figure out the direction I’d like to go with my music. I work with the producers who work with Kelly Clarkson, and the management companies that work with them. I also wanted to enjoy the US summer before heading home to start the musical Rent.

Q: You’ve been coming back and forth for how long?
A: I first came to LA by myself when I turned 18, after Dancing With The Stars. I spent time discovering myself and finding out what direction I wanted to go in with my music. I spent six months focusing on songwriting, then last year I was there for five months. I went to Nashville and met some writers.

Q: Did you meet Keith Urban while you were there?
A: [Laughs] No, I didn’t. But I saw Nicole Kidman at the supermarket Wild Oats; she always shops there, apparently. Nashville is the home of songwriting, and learning the art and craft of it. I’m not a country-music singer, but country songs are so descriptive in how they tell a story. It’s great to learn that way. Pop songs are all about having a hook and a catchy phrase, whereas country songs are all about telling a story. Instead of paying to go to a university, I’m learning from some of the best producers and songwriters in Nashville and LA.
Continue reading My Sexy New Life

Nice Life, how’d you get it?

Wanna get in on the fame game? We chatted to four celebs about the perks of being famous, and how they got there…

You were 13 when you had your big break at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Did you always want to be famous?
When I was younger I told my mum and dad that I wanted to go into show business, so I started taking lessons. I was then in some musicals and got the lead in a massive production of The Wizard Of Oz. I love being a performer, I love singing and dancing, and it’s always been my dream.

Was it tough at times?
It can be tough, but you’ve just got to stick at it. My advice would be to try really hard to get different influences and lots of feedback, but still follow your dreams.

What’s the best part about being a celeb?
I love being able to put a smile on people’s faces and allow them to forget their worries while I perform!

What is the hardest part?
It would have to be putting up with other people’s false perceptions of me. I just have to keep telling myself to be strong.

Are there any celebs who you really admire?
I love Kate Hudson’s style. I also think if I met Heath Ledger I would be a little speechless!

What beauty products are you sooo lost without?
Foundation, lip gloss and eyelash curlers!

What are some of your favourite things in your wardrobe?
My white knee-high boots! I also love my leather jacket and wearing dark flared jeans.

Do you have any tips on surviving life in the public eye?
Make sure you keep your private life private, but still allow people to see the real you. Learn who to trust, too.

Source: Dolly magazine
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Dancing Queen

We all thought Nikki Webster was such a brilliant dancer on Channel Seven’s Dancing With the Stars! So, Simone and Amanda decided to enlist Nikki’s help for a few dance tips, and while we were at it, we caught up with one of our favourite Aussie divas…

What’s been the best part about competing in Dancing With the Stars?
Being able to learn new dance styles and to wear some amazing costumes… Not to mention the cast! We have all become close during the making of the show.

Who was your toughest competition?
I don’t think that I had one particular competitor on the show. They were all pretty amazing! But if I had to narrow it down, I would say Jason Smith and Tom Williams. They are spunky boys and I know the girls are voting for them.

Continue reading Dancing Queen

Dancing Queen

Nikki Webster has done it all! She sang with Kylie at the Olympics, had hit albums, a fashion line and most recently appeared on Channel 7’s Dancing With The Stars. Wow!

Were you disappointed when you were voted off Dancing With The Stars?
I had a really great time on the show, and it was a shame that it ended with getting a ‘one’ from Todd McKenney. I feel that because we did the tango and we were judged harshly. It wasn’t consistent with the marks that the other dancers were given. It’s a shame because I really did have the best time on the show. It was really hard with rehearsals seven days a week, but it was worth it.

Do you feel you were unfairly done by?
Well, at the time I was 17, so I couldn’t dance with the passion of someone older who had experienced it, so in that way yes. But I’m glad I did the show to learn the dances and to have fun with it at the same time. Todd made an analogy recently about the competition and that I didn’t do a tango, but he’s got to remember that we’re doing it for charity and raising money for charity. It’s a television program. It’s not a professional ballroom competition.

Continue reading Dancing Queen

Proof Of Age

It’s okay – you won’t go to jail for looking at these photos of a purring Nikki Webster playing the sex siren. It’s her 18th birthday, and this is her coming-of-age photo shoot

IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY THAT OUR Nikki Webster was the cute kid at the Olympics opening ceremony and your little sister was dancing around her Barbie’s to the strains of Strawberry Kisses. But fast-forward five short years and, lo and behold, Nikki is all grown up. In fact, you can even ask her out on a date now. We at FHM are over the moon she has become a gorgeous woman and we’re proud to present to you Nikki Webster, sexy superstar. Happy birthday, Nikki – you look damn hot.

Was it hard posing for this shoot, considering you don’t usually appear in mags like FHM? This is certainly a change of pace from the shoot you did for Barbie magazine…
No, it was great. When I was approached to do this shoot as a celebration of turning 18, the one thing I wanted was to have some control, because of everything that was bound to follow once it hit the stores. But I was happy with the way it went and I tried to make myself look as glamorous as I could.

Continue reading Proof Of Age

Nikki Webster

Four years ago she stood up and sang at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympics. Today she’s finishing high school, designing clothes and accessories for her own fashion label and performing live for thousands of fans.

You’ve been very busy designing all of the clothes and accessories for your Nikki Webster range. Where do you come up with the ideas for your stuff?
Designing clothes is something that I’ve wanted to do for so long and I know when I was little, I wanted to wear the clothes that the 17-year-olds wore, so I used to get stuff made especially for me all the time. It’s weird though, sometimes I will be sitting down and an idea will pop into my head, so I will jot it down, but my influences come from everywhere. I travel overseas once or twice a year to places like L.A. or London to have a look at international fashion for inspiration.

A lot of the clothes in your label are pink – are you a bit of a pink girl?
Definitely, and I know that a lot of the people who wear my clothes like pink as well. It’s all of the girly stuff from my label that is in demand at the moment.

What’s your favourite item of clothing from your label?
That’s a hard one! We’ve got some stuff coming out soon which has a cartoon of me drawn on it. It’s going to be an ongoing theme and it’s one that I definitely like because it’s fun.

Four years ago you were just a normal girl, what’s it like now juggling fame, a career in singing and fashion, school and time with family and friends?
It is hard, but you never know what’s going to happen. One day you could have four things on and the next day you could have nothing. Your family and friends kind of get used to it so when you phone them up and say you’re free, they make sure they’re free as well.

Did you ever expect what this is what you’d be doing career-wise?
No, everything has just been amazing. I thought straight after the Olympics I’d go home and go back to school on Monday. (Laughs) But I thought I’d have to wait until after school to release albums so I’ve had a head start in that department!

You’ve had a pretty amazing career for someone who is only 17 years old! What has been your absolute highlight?
I think just performing. The whole package is pretty good, I’ve learned a lot about the entertainment industry and I enjoy meeting new people but I love performing. Live performance is what it’s all about.

Source: Girl Power
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