Articles from 2004
Nikki comes of age
Woolworth's Fresh | April 2004
Pop princess Nikki Webster turns 17 this month – and she’s ready to take on the world. However, her busy schedule hasn’t left much time for romance and, just like the song on her last album, she’s still Never Been Kissed!
“My friends and I all kiss each other on the cheek but no, not a boyfriend. I haven’t found anyone that I feel comfortable with yet. Hopefully, that will come,” she tells Woolworth’s Fresh.
And so on April 30, when Nikki turns 17, she’ll spend the night having a quiet dinner with her mum Tina and dad Mark in their inner Sydney home – the same way she spent her 16th birthday. On the weekend a few gal pals will come over for “some dancing” but the music will “definitely not” be from one of her albums!
“They would probably love it if we played some of those – I’d be embarrassed,” she adds.
Most Australians would find it hard to imagine Nikki shirking away from the limelight. After all, in the last four years this baby-faced singer has grown up right before our eyes. Energetic Nikki became world-famous as the fearless high-flying 13-year-old performer at the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony – appearing before a TV audience of four billion.
This year the down-to-earth songstress will finish her final year of high school, but not before releasing her third album on June 21 and completing a whirlwind 19 performances in a school holiday tour. “I’m lucky, I’m used to juggling things where a lot of people aren’t. My teachers keep my work or send it by email or mail when I’m away and that support is helping me get through my HSC. I’ve had great training – I’ve been doing it since I was five.”
The pint-sized sensation says she definitely has even more stars in her eyes since visiting Hollywood.
“I stayed right on Rodeo Drive, it was so exciting. America is so different – it’s great to go over there and have a look – everyone is so positive,” she says.
Despite her amazing life, Nikki still tries hard to be “a normal girl”. “I go out and love going to the movies – but I’m lucky I’ve been allowed to reach some of my dreams before I’ve finished school.”
Talent in the blood
Nikki’s big brother Scott, 19, is studying musical theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, the training ground of Australian superstar Hugh Jackman. While Nikki douses down ideas that she and Scott might headline a follow-up production of The Wizard Of Oz, she says her big brother is one of her biggest fans. “We will see what happens… but he’s always very supportive and defensive of me. I’m his kid sister and that’s it – he’ll stick up for me.”
[View scans from this article]