Nikki Webster re-releases ‘Strawberry Kisses’ for charity in 2017 comeback

Singer Nikki Webster, who rose to fame after performing at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony, has re-released her popular 2001 single Strawberry Kisses to support a children’s charity.

Now a mother and dance teacher, Webster, 29, released an updated version of the much-loved pop song, 16 years on from its original 2001 release.

The singer is donating all the proceeds from the song’s sales to the Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia.

The song is already number eight on the Australian iTunes top charts.

Continue reading Nikki Webster re-releases ‘Strawberry Kisses’ for charity in 2017 comeback

Nikki has new tune

EIGHT years since the release of her last album, Nikki Webster says she is finally ready to return to music.

Famous for her involvement in the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, Webster, 25, says she’s struggled to find her way.

She’s tried country, dance and even rock music, and her new single Long Hot Summer is pop.

Her biggest hit was bubblegum pop song Strawberry Kisses in 2001.

“It’s taken people a while to realise that I don’t live in a time capsule, I’m not going to be 13 forever. I had to work out the right way to move forward and find out who I am and I’ve tried everything,” she says.

At 18, she controversially posed for men’s mag FHM to try to change her image.

Most recently, she’s kept a low profile by opening up Dance@NikkiWebster schools in Sydney’s west and on the Central Coast. “I didn’t know if people would accept me again,” she says. Webster is engaged to flight attendant Matthew McMah.

Source: Daily Telegraph

Nikki Webster Q & A

Our Olympic pop sweetheart is pushing her boundaries, writes Cameron Adams.

What has been the reaction to your comeback single Devilicious?
I’ve been working on this track for so long, writing it, contacting the producers, building it up. When you finish it you can’t wait to get it out, but just before that you think, “Oh no, what’s going to happen?” It’s had a mixed reaction, but the people I want to like it are liking it. Everyone else can have their own opinion.

Do you find a lot of people review you before they’ve even heard the new single?
Absolutely. There’s a stigma attached. As soon as some people hear “Nikki Webster” it’s like “Don’t worry about bringing her in” or “We don’t want to play that”. Radio play hasn’t been supportive, but radio interviews have been great.

It must be frustrating, hitting that wall.
Totally, but what am I going to do? All I can do is keep trying other ways and prove – not just to them, but to myself – that I’m an entertainer. I’m not just singing other people’s songs, I’m creating music now. I’m a singer and a songwriter and everything in between.

Is there an easier option?
To break it overseas first. I had that option with the producers I wrote this track with. They were like, “Why do you want to go back?” I said, “I don’t care if they don’t like me, it’s my home. It’s where I represented my country”. I feel Australia is ready for new music from me.

Have you ever wondered why there was such animosity towards you in Australia?
I’ve thought about it long and hard and I have no answers. Maybe I’m too straightforward and simple and they have to create drama. I’ve cried about it, laughed about it, joked about it. I’m at the point now where I don’t really care. I just want to make music and entertain.

You seem a lot more confident now.
I am. That’s from escaping (to LA) for four years and surrounding myself with people who believe in me. The only reason Devilicious is out is because I hunted down people to work with. I sent out emails – “I love your work, do you want to work with me?” – there’s no shame in that. I had to find finance. It’s all me. I’ve always had a record company or someone else to fall back on. Now it’s me saying “Push yourself, Nikki”.

Presumably there’s no baggage being Nikki Webster when you meet producers in America.
That’s refreshing. Sometimes producers Google me – they see it but don’t understand the tall-poppy syndrome. We embrace sports stars; Americans embrace all their talent. They love success. When you meet someone who’s behind you there’s no stopping them. In Australia people are more laid-back. I did Devilicious with Mike Rizzo, who’s a huge DJ in America, and Peter Rafelson, who wrote Open Your Heart for Madonna and has worked with Kylie and Britney. They were really behind this, and that’s really great for your confidence.

You’ve been writing songs. Are there dark moments when you vented against the haters?
I’ve spent four years writing, but a lot of it is self-therapy. I’ll listen back and go “Wow, I was really negative” or “That was when I broke up with that person”. I needed a light-hearted song and that’s where Devilicious came in. Being older helps. I was always 13 or 14 in the studio with producers; we had fun but I was always the kid. Now I’m an adult, I’m dealing with adults.

Can we clarify you are singing “taste my apple, take a bite” in the song?
Yep. I like to push the boundaries a little bit. It’s a little tongue in cheek.

When the video was released, were you surprised that people said you were suddenly sexy? Some people obviously want to freeze-frame you as a little girl from the Olympics.
I’m 22. I’m up against Britney, Lady Gaga and Pussycat Dolls. If I was dressed in a little pink sun-dress singing Devilicious or even Strawberry Kisses, people would say, “Who does she think she is? She’s 22, grow up”. I can’t win. I just have to do what I feel comfortable doing. When I was 18 or 19 I wouldn’t have felt as comfortable being… not as sexy, but as edgy as I am now. I’m a woman now.

Are you still haunted by posing for FHM?
I’m kind of over the question. It wasn’t a porn video but it’s obviously something I’m going to be questioned about forever.

Was it a mistake?
It was a growing thing. It wasn’t Playboy. It did what it needed to do, stirred up some kind of conversation and made people go “Oh, she’s not 13 any more”. It’s not something I’d do again.

You were one of the first celebrities to change their status on Facebook to single and see it become a story in the gossip pages.
I know. I was a virgin to Facebook, I just changed a status and all of a sudden it was in the gossip pages: “Nikki’s had her heart broken!” That was hard to deal with. My friends said, “If you put anything up on Facebook it’ll end up in the press”. I guess the positive is that I’d get Google alerts when I was in LA that people were still writing about me. It was kind of reassuring. I realised people were ready for something new from me, I could still do something in Australia other than RSL clubs.

Source: The Herald Sun
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The Big Arvo interview

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

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.

Write your own pop songs!

Ever wanted to create your own song from scratch? We asked a couple of our friends, Nikki and Mandy, to tell us how they do it! So what are you waiting for? Get writing!

Nikki Webster

TG: Do you write any of your own songs?
N: I’m just starting to at the moment – there might be one or two on my new album. I have been working with a producer though, writing my own songs…

TG: Has it been a good experience?
N: Yeah, I mean it’s just another area to explore, I like it and will see what I can learn from it.

TG: So how do you start writing a song?
N: I start with the words, but obviously first of all you have to have an idea of what you want the song to be about. Every day something comes into your head and you just jot down words and then I meet with my producer. He’s a good piano player so we mix up a theme and a melody and go from there.

TG: Has there been a song that changed your life?
N: Christina’s “Beautiful”. I love listening to that song.
Continue reading Write your own pop songs!

Ask Nikki Webster

Nikki Dub faces some rough treatment from the media, and you wanted to know just what she thinks of the nasty things that are said about her. She also opens up to Smash Hits about radio refusing to play her songs and whether she has a boyfriend!

What do you say to people who suggest you’re growing up too quickly?
Andy, NSW
Well, I’m 15 years old and everybody’s got to grow up. It’s so much fun doing this. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do and it wasn’t something I was forced into. I still get to see my friends and travel around the world. I don’t think you could ask for anything better.

Continue reading Ask Nikki Webster

“I’ve grown up!”

The Return of Nikki Webster

It’s been a hectic few months for Nikki Webster. After finishing up the Sydney season of her musical The Wizard of Oz, she headed straight to the studio to record her second album, before jetting overseas to promote her first single “Strawberry Kisses”. Now she’s back home and not only is she starring in Oz in Melbourne, but she’s also releasing her brand new single “Something More Beautiful” . . .

How far off is the new album?
I’ve finished recording it, it’s in the stages of mixing now. They’re getting it all together and putting in all the drums and stuff. It’s an exciting time, but I haven’t heard much of it yet!

How have you managed to record it while juggling everything else?
I did it at the end of The Wizard of Oz season in Sydney. I went into the recording studio about two weeks after. We’d blocked out three weeks, but it only took a week to do the whole album. We did about three songs a day which is pretty good, and then I went off to Europe, and now I’m doing The Wizard of Oz in Melbourne!

Continue reading “I’ve grown up!”

Nikki’s Best Day

When Nikki Webster flew to a beautiful Aussie island to film her latest video for “The Best Days”, she invited Big Hit along for the ride …

What was the best thing about filming the video?
Basically my last two videos have been in a studio, so being on location in Stradbroke Island in Queensland was such a fantastic time! You know, having all my friends around and actually sleeping over somewhere and just having such a great big party!

Your friends are also your dancers which you’ve used in all your videos, right?
Yeah that’s right. Most of them were there, although there were all new friends too, so that was great. There was Hayley, Melissa, Simone, Rainer, David, Shannon and Mitchell.

All up, how long did it take to film the video?
We were there for three days but we could have stayed there all week! (laughs) We actually had the night times off, which is when I suppose we all started to party! (laughs) We just went into each other’s rooms and watched TV, had lolly fights, stuff like that.

Lolly fights?
Well, not lolly fights … um, let’s just say that we ate lots of lollies!

OK. Describe the video?
With “Best Days” I just thought you have to say you are having the best days. So we thought about a beach and I really wanted to go somewhere other than a normal Sydney Beach. I wanted jet skiing and you know, just things that look like we’re having fun, like sand dunes. My mum found Stradbroke and when we got there it was just fantastic

Descibe your best day?
Just spending time with friends and family and having a life, basically. You can never ever not have fun if you’re having a life.

What’s your favourite line in the song?
Um … I probably remember all the good and bad times we had. There’s always going to be good and bad times in your life no matter what, you have just got to make sure the good ones come out really strong, and you remember them forever!

In the video, your brother Scott drives you around on the jet ski. Was he safe?
He was fine. There were a couple of my friends who got bogged down on a sand dune. We were riding around warning everyone, “Hey there is a sand dune there” and what did they do? Run straight into it! (laughs)

Were there any other scary moments during the filming?
When we were on top of the boat. It was a beautiful day, but on top of the boat it was quite windy, so everyone was being blown everywhere! Their hair is in the wrong place, but it was lots of fun. When we were going down the big sand dunes – that was fun!

Finally, was there anything bad about doing this video?
I don’t think so … Oh yeah, probably getting up early for the sunrise shot. But that was OK.

INTERVIEW: SANTI PINTADO

Source: Big Hit
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Olympic ‘hero Girl’ Nikki ‘kisses’ The Charts

By CHRISTIE ELIEZER

It’s no surprise that an Australian label’s first marketing foray into the under-10s music market was with Nikki Webster. The elfin 14-year-old flew 98 feet into the air while playing the role of Hero Girl last September at the spectacular opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics.

Her lead-off single, “Strawberry Kisses,” debuted on the Australian Record Industry Assn. charts at No. 2 in the week ending June 23. It remained at No. 6 in the week ending Aug. 18 and has so far sold 115,000 copies, according to BMG Australia (platinum here is 70,000), setting up the Aug. 20 release of an album, Follow Your Heart.

“Doing the Olympics was fantastic, but I was just playing a character,” Webster says. Since the age of 7, she has been in such musicals as The Sound of Music and Les Miserables, and she also sang onstage with Michael Jackson on his HIStory tour. “But I’d always wanted to do a pop record,” she tells Billboard. “My heroes are Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John. The best thing about the Olympics to me was that Olivia came backstage and told me she thought I had a great voice.”
Continue reading Olympic ‘hero Girl’ Nikki ‘kisses’ The Charts