Nikki Webster - 16 Years After The Sydney Olympics

The former child star is now living a very different life

January 29 2019

It's hard to believe it was 16 years ago that little Nikki Webster stole the hearts of the nation - and the world - at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. 

Now, on the eve of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, 29-year-old Nikki has re-emerged to talk about how her fame has affected her, and where life has taken her. Proud mum to a little girl, Skylah, Nikki is a highly successful business woman, running three dance studios. 

Minchinbury is OPEN!!! Come try free classes all day including HipHop with our teacher Yukino (top 10 so you think you can dance) and singing with Nikki Webster. #weRnikki
Minchinbury is OPEN!!! Come try free classes all day including HipHop with our teacher Yukino (top 10 so you think you can dance) and singing with Nikki Webster. #weRnikki
Central coast open mic starts at 2.30 @ central coast leagues club park view room can't wait to see you there so excited
Central coast open mic starts at 2.30 @ central coast leagues club park view room can't wait to see you there so excited

Nikki confesses that the harsh spotlight of fame sometimes made her life difficult growing up - and at one point she left for LA after tiring of becoming the butt of endless jokes. 

But she says she developed resilience and strength as a result of her fame -  and that has helped her to achieve so much in adult life, as a highly driven dance teacher. So will she put her own little girl on the stage?

"Am I going to be a dance mum? I don’t know, I hope not," she told The Daily Edition. "I think it’s a matter of whatever she wants to do. I was lucky enough to have parents that supported my career and my choice and I hope that I can do that for Skylah, whether that’s in dance or performing arts. 

"But it would be nice if she was a lawyer or something that could support me in my old age."