By Deborah Hope and Sally Jackson

NIKKI Webster became one of the most watched faces in the world last night as Hero Girl, the biggest non-sporting star of the Olympic ceremony extravaganza.

The 13-year-old Sydney schoolgirl and aspiring actor had the most demanding role of any of the 12, 500 performers in the hour-long cultural segment, not only having to act, sing and dance, but also to fly 30m into the air in front of 118, 000 enthralled spectators as well as an estimated television audience of about 3.7 billion.

Like all the other performers, Nikki had to sign a confidentiality agreement that meant even her parents, Tina and Mark, did not know the full extent of her role until they were able to see it last night.

Opening ceremony artistic director David Atkins said the little girl’s journey, which was used to link all seven sequences of the creative segment, was what held the story together.

“Whether it’s the Hero Girl materialising out of a waratah, feeding the Kelly Horse or interfacing with Djakapurra, she and Djakapurra are the links,” he said. “All the pieces form a story about who we are and what we feel.”
Continue reading Hero Girl harnesses world’s delight

SYDNEY, Australia – Sydney schoolgirl Nikki Webster became one of the most-watched faces in the world Friday when she appeared as Hero Girl, the biggest nonsporting star of the Olympics opening ceremony.

The 13-year-old aspiring actor had the most demanding role of any of the 12, 600 performers in the hour-long cultural segment: Not only did she act, sing and dance, she also “flew” in a harness about 100 feet into the air in front of 110, 000 spectators and millions of TV viewers.

Like all the performers, Nikki had to sign a confidentiality agreement that meant even her parents didn’t know the full extent of her role until they saw it Friday night.

She was chosen from about 500 hopefuls, a field that was eventually cut to three finalists after the contenders were put through their paces in the dafety harness.

“Flying at the stadium for the first time was amazing,” she said in an interview in The Australian newspaper. “The flying is a bit demanding. There’s lots of practice, especially to stay stright.”

“They took us up very high and we did some swimming strokes. Then I had to sing.”

Her voice and stage presence made her a natual, organizers said.

Opening ceremony artistic director David Atkins said the little girl’s journey, which was used to link all seven sequences of the creative segment, was what held the story together.

She had previous “flying” experience from television commercials.

Despite her youth, the girl is also a showbiz veteran who, according to her agent, started in the entertainment business when she was 5.

Source: Detroit Free Press

By Nikki Webster

When I flew last night, I wasn’t scared – just thrilled to be a part of the opening ceremony seen by billions of people around the world.

I couldn’t see anyone in the crowd while I was swimming, and just concentrated on pretending I was at the beach and in the ocean to make people believe the story. The Deep Sea section of the ceremony was my favourite because I love going to the beach. It was amazing to be up there, 25m off the ground, and so much fun. Even in my first audition I wasn’t scared when they lifted us up to test our nerves, then took us up a bit higher into the stadium.

When I won the part I was so excited, and since then the training has not taken that long. I had to spend the most time learning the flying sequence, and that is a great new skill to have.

It was a great honour to be part of the ceremony and perform in the stadium, and also to meet some of my idols like John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John. I look up to Olivia because I love her voice and she’s gone so far with her career, which I hope will happen to me too.

I hope my performance last night helps me with further opportunities and pushes along my dream of being a pop star and an actor. Olivia has given me some encouraging words which I will always remember, saying I have an amazing voice. I just love her, she has been my idol since I first saw Grease when I was about five years old. That was when I first started performing and I have been dancing, singing, and acting ever since.

I sang at the Royal Easter Show, and I’ve been in the Sound of Music, but last night’s performance was the most thrilling.

But even though I know my life will change today because of the publicity, it won’t change me.

Source: The Herald Sun
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The Australians staged a strange and wonderful Opening Ceremony for the 2000 Olympic Games yesterday that took us to the Thunderdome and beyond. Now we know why they call this place Oz.

When cute 13- year-old Nikki Webster started the show by stepping to the middle of Olympic Stadium, flashing an ethereal smile, and suddenly shooting 100 feet into the air and began doing back flips, it was clear we were heading into something completely different. We’re not in Atlanta any more, Toto.

“I wasn’t scared at all,” said Nikki, who spent much of the program suspended high above the crowd hooked to a harness and a wire. “I was just having heaps and heaps of fun.”

So was everyone else, with the possible exception of Nikki’s parents, who had been kept in the dark about her high-flying stunts. She told them it “wouldn’t be a surprise” if she told them what she would be doing. Asked how they reacted after watching her sail clear up above the cheap seats with only a harness to hold her, Nikki said they were “both in tears.” So we can assume they were surprised.
Continue reading Sydney’s Spectacular Show

Nikki Webster, as she swam and swooped 30 metres above the ground in Stadium Australia last night, looked down on the fishes below her and 110,000 people looking up.

“It’s so gorgeous when you’re up there. It looks just amazing,”she said.

To be the one who walked alone into the stadium with a beach blanket and zinc cream took a lot of confidence but to “fly” as well was an act of sheer bravery.

“I’m not scared of heights and I wasn’t frightened at all,” said Nikki. “I just enjoy it.”

A photographer who was at the stadium earlier this year to see Nikki strapped for the first time into the harness that hoisted her to rafter height – eight storeys up – says she is fearless.

“She squealed and laughed and loved every minute,” the photographer said.

“The biggest buzz is when I fly up. The audience has no idea because it has been such a big secret,” Nikki said. Continue reading A Star Is Born in the Heavens Above Homebush