Nikki’s all grown up!

The Olympic golden girl has grown into a fully-fledged pop princess, all without a hint of scandal.

Funny man Rove McManus pretended to spike her lemonade – and she once trashed Michael Jackson’s hotel suite – but that’s the extent of any scandal in pint-sized singer Nikki Webster’s past. No Drew Barrymore-style stints in rehab, no battles with booze and pills, no anorexia or bulimia scares, not even any unsuitable boyfriends.

“In fact, no serious boyfriends at all,” laughs Australia’s former child sweetheart, who flew to worldwide fame as “Hero Girl” at the Sydney Olympics in front of four billion TV viewers. “Maybe the time will come one day.”

At 17, the curly-haired poppet’s all grown up. And still the only secret in her closet is a serious fashion habit, courtesy of her best-selling Kmart clothing range. She may be a good girl, but this teenager is far from ordinary, whatever she might say. After all, how many 17-year-olds have partied with Michael Jackson? Nikki sang a duet with Michael, before his subsequent disgrace, on the then-superstar’s HIStory tour of Australia. It was her first, and only, brush with rock ‘n’ roll-style bad behavior.
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Nikki’s grown-up life

Songstress Nikki Webster talks about life, the HSC and the release of her new album.

You’re about to launch a new album and sit for your HSC. How have you coped?
I am crazy! The HSC has already started. During my school holidays I was performing but I’ve been studying hard. It’s been frantic but good. I just kind of juggle everything around.

Your album, The Best of Nikki Webster is out on November 29. What can we expect?
There will be no new material but there will be Under Southern Skies from the Olympics. They are songs that really mean something to me. Strawberry Kisses would have to be my favourite because it was my first song. And I’d also have to say Don’t Give Up because I co-wrote that one earlier this year.

Let’s Dance – was that song written by Delta Goodrem?
It was co-written by Delta, Mark Holden and a guy called Axel Breitung. I have done a lot of work with Mark and he knows what I like.

You turn 18 next year – is the new look to distinguish yourself from that image of the young girl from the Olympics?
It’s been four years since the Olympics and people are suddenly realising I am older. I’m growing up. I don’t live in a bubble. I can look quite young so it’s good to look my age.

Do you think people will always remember you as that flying girl from the Sydney Olympics?
It hasn’t bothered me. I did it for my country but it only annoys me when people only remember that and ignore my other achievements.

What do you plan to do once the HSC is over? Are you going to Schoolies?
I’m not going to Schoolies – I don’t have any real plans. I’m going to take a break to figure out what I want to do. I’m going to the US for a holiday and then I’ll holiday with my family for Christmas. Hopefully I’ll be able to combine music and fashion in my future but I’m always up for new things. I’d like to get into writing more music. I like to challenge myself.

By Monique Butterworth

Source: New Idea
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