Nikki Webster
{{short description|Australian singer (born 1987)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image = Nikki Webster.jpg
| name = Nikki Webster
| birth_name = Nicole Marie Webster
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|4|30|df=y}}
| birth_place = Sydney, Australia
| genre = Pop
| occupation = Singer, actress, dancer
| years_active = 1992–present
| label = Gotham (2001–2004)
Piller Records (2006–2010)
Spirit Music Group + Yummie Records (2012–present)
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|nikkiwebster.com.au}}
}}
Nicole Marie Webster{{cite AV Media | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOaTXYvaZQA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/GOaTXYvaZQA |archive-date=22 December 2021 |url-status=live| via=YouTube | title=Nikki Webster and Jamie from BB07 in a radio interview | date=30 May 2009}}{{cbignore}} (born 30 April 1987) is an Australian pop singer. She is best known for her role in performing at both the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics opening ceremony, and the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics closing ceremony as well for her song "Strawberry Kisses", which made number 21 on the list of Top 25 singles in Australia released in 2001.
Early life
Webster was born on 30 April 1987, to parents Tina and Mark Webster in Sydney, New South Wales. At a young age, she told her parents that she wanted to go into show business, so she started taking lessons.{{cite news | work=Dolly | title=Nice Life, how'd you get it? | date=June 2005}} She attended MLC School in Burwood until year 10 and then attended the McDonald College of Performing Arts in Sydney.{{Cite web |last=Crikey |date=2005-03-29 |title=Famous alumni on Latham's hit list |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2005/03/30/famous-alumni-on-lathams-hit-list/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Crikey |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Alumni – The McDonald College|url=https://www.mcdonald.nsw.edu.au/community/alumni/|access-date=13 August 2021|website=Mcdonald.nsw.edu.au |language=en-AU}}
Early career
Webster's first acting role was as part of the ensemble cast in the pantomime Cinderella at the State theatre in Sydney, at the age of five.{{cite news| url=http://www.watoday.com.au/news/tax/it-pays-to-have-a-great-accountant/2008/04/12/1207856903957.html | work=WA Today | title=It pays to have a great accountant | date=13 April 2008}} The production starred Jo Beth Taylor as Cinderella, Nancye Hayes as the Fairy Godmother, Lochie Daddo as the Prince, Bert Newton as The Baron, and Bruce Spence and Paul Blackwell as the Ugly Step-sisters. The following year she appeared in a production of Aladdin.
Webster appeared in television commercials including Twisties, Lay's chips and Campbell's Soup.{{cite news | work=The Sun-Herald | title=Still flying high | date=10 December 2000}} At 10 years old, Webster played the Young Cosette in Les Misérables, and in 1999–2000 starred as Brigitta Von Trapp in a stage production of The Sound of Music, alongside Lisa McCune, John Waters and Bert Newton.
In March 2000, Webster auditioned for an unknown part in the 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. In August, following an elimination process, she was told by opening ceremony artistic director/producer David Atkins that the role was hers.{{cite news | work=Stage Whispers | title=Child Stars – What happens when they grow up? | date=November 2011}}
At the age of 13, Webster played a major part in the opening ceremony, including performing the song "Under Southern Skies". She also performed "We'll Be One" at the closing ceremony.
Recording career
= 2000–2004: ''Follow Your Heart'', ''Bliss'' and ''Let's Dance'' =
Webster signed a contract with BMG at the age of 13, after her success at the Olympics, and her first single "Strawberry Kisses" reached No. 2 on the Australian singles charts in 2001, holding the position for 7 weeks. Her debut album, Follow Your Heart, also went platinum, with the second single, "Depend on Me", going top 20, while the third single, "The Best Days"/"Over the Rainbow", reached No. 21. She also starred as Dorothy in an Australian stage performance of The Wizard of Oz, which ran between 2001 and 2002. Webster was nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Selling album and she won a John O'Keefe Encouragement Award at the 2001 Mo Awards.
Webster's 2002 BLISS album also went gold with a cover of American girl group P.Y.T.'s "Something More Beautiful" reaching No. 13 and going gold, while the second single "24/7 (Crazy 'bout Your Smile)" also reached the top 20.
Later, Webster released a cover version of "Dancing in the Street" by Martha and the Vandellas which reached the top twenty while her 2004 single "Let's Dance" reached the top 40 in Australia. A greatest hits album was released soon afterwards.
= 2005–present =
In early 2005, Webster hosted The Greatest Circus Acts of All Time on the Seven Network. She was announced as one of the contestants in
season 2 of Dancing with the Stars. She was criticised for having an "unfair advantage" over other dancers because of her previous dancing experience.{{cite news | work=TV Week | title=Fair game? | year=2005}} Webster and dance partner Sasha Farber were eliminated in week six of the series after judge Todd McKenney gave them a score of one out of 10.{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/TV--Radio/Dancing-controversy/2005/03/16/1110913657005.html | work=The Age | title=Dancing controversy | date=17 March 2005}} Webster appeared on the May 2005 cover of FHM after the magazine approached her to do the shoot as a celebration of turning 18.{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Spike/Game-on-says-Nikki/2005/04/05/1112489490653.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Game on, says Nikki | date=6 April 2005}} She was voted #7 in the FHM Australia 100 Sexiest Women 2005 list.{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/People/Bec-Australias-sexiest/2005/04/28/1114635671574.html | work=The Age | title=Bec Australia's sexiest | date=28 April 2005}} Webster also appeared in one episode of Australian TV series Thank God You're Here as a cast member.{{cn|date=August 2023}}
In 2006, Webster stated in interviews that she was living and working in Nashville, United States, writing with well-known writers working on her new album.{{cn|date=August 2023}} It was also revealed she headed to Los Angeles to develop a new style of music heading for a more mature pop sound. In 2006, she modelled for the cover of Zoo Weekly to celebrate her 19th birthday.{{cn|date=August 2023}}
In May 2007, Webster played the lead role of Sheila in a Perth production of the rock musical Hair along with Rob Mills and Cosima De Vito. In September 2007, Webster raised eyebrows by performing as a wind-up doll at the Sydney gay and lesbian dance party Sleaze Ball.{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/gay-and-lesbian-sleaze-ball-performance/2007/09/29/1190486630402.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Daring Nikki has never feared the cutting edge of life | date=30 September 2007}} This and her October 2006 photoshoot appearance in men's magazine FHM were seen as an attempt to mature her image, but attracted wide ridicule given her previous role in the 2000 Olympics. Webster regularly appeared on the show 20 to 1.
In January 2008, Webster announced she would be opening a performing arts school in February with brother Scott in a bid to help young people get into the industry.{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/people/young-star-to-open-dance-school-for-kids/2008/01/05/1198950128426.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Singer gives dance a chance}} In January 2012 they opened a second school on the Central Coast, NSW.{{cite news | url=http://centralcoast.businessinsider.net.au/stories/business/nikki-webster-set-to-expand-her-business-to-the-central-coast | work=Central Coast Business Insider | title=Nikki Webster set to expand her business to the Central Coast | access-date=19 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218052414/http://centralcoast.businessinsider.net.au/stories/business/nikki-webster-set-to-expand-her-business-to-the-central-coast | archive-date=18 February 2012 | url-status=dead }} It was announced in May 2009 that Nikki was set to release her first new single in five years, "Devilicious", on 12 June. She performed "Devilicious" on The Morning Show in August 2009 in order to promote the single.
Webster made a guest appearance on 15 July 2009 episode of The Chaser's War on Everything, in a music video parody of the Barack Obama viral video "Yes We Can", the parody based on Kevin Rudd's speeches.{{cite web|title=In Due Season|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr_iGH75Zec |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/tr_iGH75Zec |archive-date=22 December 2021 |url-status=live|work=The Chaser's War on Everything| date=15 July 2009 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=13 June 2010}}{{cbignore}}
In February 2010, Webster and her brother Scott opened a talent and modeling agency for kids, Talent @ Nikki Webster.
Webster had a role in the 2012 independent feature Circle of Lies.{{cite news| url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/insider/big-break-for-nikki/story-e6frewt9-1226028596306 | work=The Sunday Telegraph | title=Big break for Nikki Webster | date=27 March 2011}}
Other work
In 2001, Webster was named the face of Jager Cosmetics' "It's a Girl Thing" range for young teens.{{cite news | url=http://www.bandt.com.au/news/archive/nikki-webster-s-cosmetics-deal | archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231044607/http://www.bandt.com.au/news/archive/nikki-webster-s-cosmetics-deal | url-status=dead | archive-date=31 December 2012 | work=B&T | title=Nikki Webster's cosmetics deal | date=2 March 2001 }} She was featured on their website and in print ads.
Webster was approached by executives at Kmart to create her own range of clothing. The 'Nikki Webster' clothing and accessories range for girls aged between 5–10 was first released in stores in August 2003. She said, "My clothes are more about fun and they're all bright colours. I want kids to have fun and be individuals in my clothes."{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/05/1065292464821.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Nikki takes on the big girls of pop | date=6 October 2003}} Webster designed the clothes herself and travelled to L.A. and London to "have a look at international fashion for inspiration."{{cite news| url=http://nikkiwebsterfan.net/press/?p=341 | work=Girl Power | title=Nikki Webster | date=February 2005}}
In 2019, Webster appeared as a contestant on The Masked Singer Australia as Alien, and was voted off in the third episode.Elshawarby, Nadia (2 October 2019). "[https://www.who.com.au/the-masked-singer-nikki-webster-hints-music-comeback The Masked Singer: Nikki Webster hints she's making a music comeback]", Who. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
Personal life
Webster got engaged to Matthew McMah in January 2011,{{cite news| work=Nikki Webster Fan | title=Woman's Day | date=28 February 2011}}{{cite news| url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/confidential/nikki-webster-all-grown-up-and-engaged/story-e6fredq3-1226009672518 | work=The Advertiser | title=Nikki Webster all grown up and engaged | date=28 February 2011}}{{cite news| url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/nikki-websters-olympic-ring/story-fn6bn80a-1226009714564 | work=Herald Sun | title=Nikki Webster's Olympic ring | date=22 February 2011}} and they were married on 10 November 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://au.thehype.yahoo.com/blog/post/-/15414709/nikki-webster-gets-married/ |title=NIKKI WEBSTER GETS MARRIED – The Hype Yahoo!7 |access-date=19 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128185451/http://au.thehype.yahoo.com/blog/post/-/15414709/nikki-webster-gets-married/ |archive-date=28 November 2012 |url-status=dead }} They separated in 2018{{cite web |title=Nikki Webster's shock split: My new life as a single mum! |url=https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celeb-news/nikki-webster-husband-matthew-mcmah-split-59595 |website=nowtolove.com.au |date=6 October 2019 |access-date=8 October 2019}} and have two children together.{{cite news| url=http://www.womansday.com.au/celebrity/celebrity-headlines/2013/12/nikki-webster-reveals-im-pregnant!/ | work= Woman's Day | title=Nikki Webster reveals: I'm pregnant! | date=16 December 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.womansday.com.au/celebrity/celebrity-headlines/2013/12/nikki-webster-reveals-im-pregnant!/ | work=Woman's Day | title=Nikki Webster: Meet my little star! | date=10 March 2014}}
Webster owns a children's dance school with three studios in Sydney called "Dance At Nikki Webster".{{Cite web|title=Dance Nikki Webster – Dance @ Nikki Webster offers a huge range of dance classes for students of any experience level, from two to 18 years|url=https://dancenikkiwebster.com.au/|access-date=13 August 2021|website=Dance Nikki Webster|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|title=Nikki Webster devastated as coronavirus forces her to shut down dance studios|url=https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/coronavirus-nikki-webster-dance-studios-close/249d7e21-1d4d-4fbb-945f-7f700f3675e9|access-date=13 August 2021|website=celebrity.nine.com.au|date=24 March 2020 |language=en-AU}}
Discography
{{Main|Nikki Webster discography}}
- Follow Your Heart (2001)
- Bliss (2002)
- Let's Dance (2004)
- Girls (2020)
Performances
| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |
| colspan="5" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film |
|---|
| style="background:#ccc;" | Year
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |
| 2012
|Circle of Lies |V |One of the exclusives |
| colspan="5" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Theatre |
| style="background:#ccc;" | Year
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |
| 1997–1998
|[Les Miserables] |Little Cosette |
| 2001
|Dorothy |Ran between 2001 and 2002. |
| rowspan=2| 2007
|Hair |Sheila |Only in Perth, Western Australia |
| Rent
|Maureen |Only in Bunbury and Perth, Western Australia |
| colspan="6" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Television |
| style="background:#ccc;" | Year
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |
| 2010
|Sunday Night: Stars of Sydney |Herself | |
| rowspan=3| 2009
|Talkin' 'bout your Generation |Herself | |
| The Chaser's War on Everything
|Herself |Sketch: "In Due Season" (a parody of "Yes We Can") from Series 3, Episode 6 |
| The Merrick & Rosso Show
|Herself |Sketch: Australian Story Season 2, Episode 3 and Sketch: Celebrity Skip Gotcha! Season 2, Episode 9 |
| colspan="5" style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Advertising |
| style="background:#ccc;" | Year
! style="background:#ccc;" | Title ! style="background:#ccc;" | Role ! style="background:#ccc;" | Notes |
| 2013
|BPAY |Herself |
| 2001
|Herself |
| 19xx
|Twisties |Herself |
| 19xx
|Australian Toaster Biscuits |Herself |
Awards and nominations
=ARIA Music Awards=
The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. It commenced in 1987.
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2001
| "Strawberry Kisses"
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2002
| Follow Your Heart
| {{nom}}
|-
{{end}}
=Mo Awards=
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|title=MO Award Winners|website=Mo Awards|access-date=16 March 2022}}
{{awards table}} (wins only)
|-
| 2000
| Nikki Webster
| The Johnny O'Keefe Encouragement Award
| {{won}}
|-
{{end}}
Popular culture
Nerf Herder wrote a song about Webster that was included as a bonus track on their 2001 EP My E.P..
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official|url=http://www.nikkiwebster.com.au/}}
- [http://www.dancenikkiwebster.com.au/ Dance@Nikki Webster]
- {{IMDb name|id=0916980|name=Nikki Webster}}
{{Nikki Webster}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Webster, Nikki}}
Category:Australian child singers
Category:Australian film actresses
Category:Australian stage actresses
Category:Australian television actresses
Category:Australian female models
Category:Musicians from Sydney