Nikki Webster

Early life, and career beginnings

Nikki Webster was born on 30 April 1987 to parents Tina and Mark Webster. At a young age she told her parents that she wanted to go into show business, and started taking lessons.

Webster's first job was as part of the ensemble cast in the pantomime "Cinderella", at the State Theatre in Sydney, at the age of five. 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".

She appeared in TV commercials including Twisties, Lays chips and Campbell's soup. 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, she auditioned for an unknown part in the 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony. In August following an elimination process, 13-year-old Webster was told by opening ceremony artistic director/producer David Atkins that the role was hers. Webster performed the song 'Under the Southern Skies' at the Sydney 2000 Olympics opening ceremony.

2000–04: Follow Your Heart, Bliss and Let's Dance

Webster signed a contract with BMG at the age of 13, after her success in 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 second single "Depend on Me" going top 20 and third single "The Best Days"/"Over the Rainbow" reaching No. 21. She also starred as Dorothy in an Australian stage performance of The Wizard of Oz which Ran between 2001-2002. 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: recent career

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 (Australian TV series). She was criticized for having an "unfair advantage" over other dances because of her previous dancing experience. 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. Webster appeared on the May 2005 cover of FHM after the magazine approached her to do the shoot as a celebration of turning 18. She was voted #7 in the FHM Australia 100 Sexiest Women 2005 list. Webster also appeared in one episode of Australian TV series Thank God You're Here as a cast member.

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. It was also revealed she headed to Los Angeles to develop a new style of music heading for a more mature pop sound.

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. This and her October 2006 photoshoot appearance in men's magazine FHM was 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. In January 2012 they opened a second school on the Central Coast, NSW. It was announced in May 2009 that Nikki is 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.

In February 2010, Webster and her brother Scott opened a talent and modeling agency for kids, Talent @ Nikki Webster.

Nikki had a role in the 2012 independent feature Circle of Lies.

Other work

Nikki Webster was named the face of Jager Cosmetics' "It's a Girl Thing" range for young teens. She was featured on their website, www.itsagirlthing.com.au, 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 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." Webster designed the clothes herself and travelled to L.A. and London to "have a look at international fashion for inspiration."

Personal life

Webster was in a relationship with Sasha Farber, her Dancing With The Stars dance partner, in 2005. In June 2009, she commented about the relationship between the pair stating "Sasha and I are still very close friends but there was no time to see each other, and I was too young to get locked down".

Nikki and her partner, Matthew McMah, were engaged in January 2011. In a recent interview, Webster was quoted as saying "I can't wait for the rest of our lives together." They were married on Saturday, 10 November 2012 in front of 100 family and friends.

In December 2013 it was announced that Nikki and husband Matthew were expecting their first child. Their daughter, Skylah, was born on 6 February 2014.

Discography