Twenty five years ago, Nikki Webster was a 13-year-old girl who, following a starring role in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, had the whole world at her feet.
Today, she’s looking back on the phenomenon that was her debut single, ‘Strawberry Kisses’, with her two children, daughter Skylah, 12, and eight-year-old son Malakai, by her side.
And it’s been sweeter than she ever dreamed it’d be.
“I love that the song has had a bit of a resurgence and is connecting with people again,” Nikki, now 39, tells Woman’s Day of the infectious pop hit that ruled the Aussie charts back in 2001.
“It was such a great part of my childhood, so getting to relive it again with my kids – it’s just awesome.”
The battle for Strawberry Kisses: ‘This is my song!’
Nikki says she knew the song was a hit when she first heard it, and despite it already being on hold for one of music’s biggest stars at the time, Aaron Carter, she fought hard to make it her own and won.
“I just knew I needed it, I was like, ‘This is my song,’” she says.
The then-adorable teen recorded the song, and its subsequent album, Follow Your Heart, while juggling it alongside school, and yet rather than feeling overwhelmed, she remembers simply having fun.
“I had the best time. I remember recording, and then they’d go and mix and I’d be doing schoolwork and would ask a couple of maths questions, then I’d jump back into the box and record some more,” she says.
Then came the iconic space-themed music video, complete with an animated sidekick robot, DJ.
“It was an insane budget. I remember arriving on set and seeing all the crew and thinking, ‘Wow! All these people are here for me.’ It’s probably still one of the most expensive video clips ever made in this country,” she says.
Star supporters
Recalling the craziest memories from that time, Nikki says filming the music video for her follow-up single, The Best Days, which was shot on top of a luxury yacht, and performing to thousands of adoring fans at Westfield, are certainly up there, but the incredible friendships she made with some of Australia’s biggest stars such as Olivia Newton-John, Kylie Minogue, and Tina Arena top it all.
“My mouth was just wide open whenever I was around them. I was so grateful to sit there in the dressing room and chat with them. And they’d always treat me like an adult, not a kid. They were so inclusive of me.”
Nikki would also go on to forge a strong bond with John Farnham, who would later sign her to his music label, Gotham Records. “John was so supportive of me,” she says. “Especially when I was trying to figure out where I wanted to go.
“I knew I wanted to stay in Australia as an artist. I didn’t want to go to America. That’s just my heart. And I remember talking to John about it, and I felt very safe having him be a part of it because he was such a huge Australian artist who I looked up to so much, and having his support throughout all my albums was huge.”
‘They’re really proud’
Nikki says getting to celebrate her incredible career with her two children has been the strawberry on top of a beautifully nostalgic trip down memory lane.
“It’s been so special. They’re at an age now where they appreciate what the song’s given me and what it’s given them,” she says.
Nikki’s mini-me daughter Skylah, who’s taking after her mother and becoming a big star in stage musicals, says she’s lost track of how many times she’s listened to the song. “I love it,” she says. “It’s on my homework playlist.” While son Malakai, who’s also just appeared in his school’s production of Mean Girls, calls the track “cool”.
“They’re really proud of it,” adds Nikki. “And as a parent, that’s the best feeling in the world.
“I didn’t think when I was recording it that I’d be lucky enough to share it with kids. I feel the luckiest.”
The limited-edition Strawberry Kisses 7-inch and 25th anniversary merchandise are available to pre-order now here.
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