Nikki Webster confirms truth about Brisbane 2032 Olympics rumoured return

Exclusive: Twenty-six years ago, 13-year-old Nikki Webster stole the heart of the nation, floating in a pink dress at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games.

It’d be only fitting Webster, now 39, pay tribute to the iconic moment when Australia hosts the Games once again in Brisbane in 2032.

“Oh my god, that would be so cool,” Webster told nine.com.au when asked if she did have plans to make an on-stage appearance, an apparent demand fuelled by fans.

“How epic would that be to even have a flashback moment during some point of the Brisbane Olympics,” she agreed.

“I mean, there were so many amazing Australian artists involved in the opening and closing ceremony, that it would be cool to do something with all of us.

“Even though we weren’t the athletes, it was still a very momentous moment in our lives. So to be involved at all would be incredible. But I haven’t heard anything yet.”

Read more

‘Sport and music go hand in hand. An NRL grand final without entertainment is no grand final at all’

Described as a “whirlwind” time in her life, Webster soon landed her own record deal, not realising her life was about to change.

“Things started happening, people were interested and wanted to talk to me and everything just fell into place,” she recalled.

Now, the Aussie icon is celebrating 25 years since her debut album, and hit single Strawberry Kisses, was released. To that, she has one thing to say.

“I feel a little old,” she laughed. “But it’s OK.”

“The song brings me back to feeling young, and I feel really grateful,” explained Webster, whose pop anthem will be released on vinyl for the first time to celebrate the milestone.

“I feel really happy that it’s having this resurgence of people loving the song for what it was and not taking it too seriously.”

Millennials across Australia would remember the pink ‘leather’ suit from the hit song’s music video – that Webster definitely doesn’t have any more.

“Probably because the plastic stuck together and got a bit disintegrated over the number of times I had to wear it,” she shared.

“I think I only had the one suit, it was literally the one that was used all the time.”

They would also remember her curled hair “with the two straight bits”, a look recently recreated by 12-year-old daughter Skylah.

“Why we did that? I don’t know, but it was just the time,” she said of the 2000s hairstyle.

Like their mum, Webster’s daughter Skylah and son Malakai, nine, “absolutely love being on stage”.

“You can’t make kids love it, it’s just in them,” she smiled.

Looking back at her own experience in the spotlight, Webster plays the role of protective mum, while letting her own kids shine.

“I’m just letting them be them,” she revealed.

“As long as they stay true to who they are, and they’ve got thick skin – I think that’s the most important thing, to be resilient.

“Not everybody’s going to like what you do, or what you deliver, but you’ve just got to go out there, give your best and have fun.”

And if she were to offer once piece of advice, it would be to not read the headlines, the “good or the bad”.

“Just to be a little bit more levelheaded about it all, I think is the most important thing I can teach them,” Webster said.

“No matter what, they’ve always got me, I’m their biggest cheerleader and always be supportive of them.”

Strawberry Kisses on vinyl, along with exclusive anniversary merch, is available for pre-order at Webster’s official online store.