Nikki Webster, the Australian pop star who rose to fame at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, made a surprise appearance on the iconic children's program, *Play School*, this week. However, her performance has left viewers bewildered and unimpressed.
Webster, known for her hit song "We'll Be One", was invited to discuss the upcoming Paris Olympics. But instead of performing her own song, she opted to cover fellow Aussie Vanessa Amorosi's Olympic anthem, "Absolutely Everybody".
Her rendition, backed by a girls' choir, was met with criticism on social media, with many questioning her vocal ability and the show's choice of performer. "Why did they just get Vanessa Amorosi to sing it?" one frustrated viewer asked. Others lamented that Webster's performance "sounds absolutely terrible" and that Amorosi would have been a far better choice.
Despite the backlash, Webster's appearance comes at a time when she's experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Her 2001 hit "Strawberry Kisses" has become an unofficial anthem for the Matildas, Australia's national women's football team, during their successful 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign.
Webster's career has seen her transition from a teen pop star to a more mature performer. In 2005, she graced the cover of *FHM
magazine, marking her 18th birthday with a racy photoshoot. She was later voted seventh in the magazine's "100 Sexiest Women" list.
The Sydney native is married to Matthew McMah, and together they have two children: Skylah, 10, and Malachi, 7. Webster's recent appearance on *Play School
may have stirred up controversy, but it's clear that she remains a prominent figure in Australian popular culture, even after a lengthy hiatus from the spotlight.