25 years after ‘Strawberry Kisses’ became one of Australia’s most beloved pop anthems, Nikki Webster is celebrating the song’s enduring legacy with a nostalgic trip back to the era that shaped her career. From a new 7-inch vinyl and Y2K-inspired merch to performing the iconic song alongside her 12-year-old daughter, Webster is embracing every part of the journey.
Now also celebrating 18 years of Dance @ Nikki Webster, the performer has found a new passion in mentoring the next generation, while watching her own children discover their love for the performing arts. Futuremag caught up with Nikki to reflect on 25 years of ‘Strawberry Kisses’, her favourite tracks from the album, motherhood and what might be next.
Futuremag: It’s been 25 years since ‘Strawberry Kisses’. When someone says 25 years, does that timeframe actually feel real to you?
Nikki Webster: No, not at all. It kind of feels like yesterday in some ways, and then a lifetime ago in other ways. So much has happened in those 25 years. It’s strange to think about, but it’s also really comforting and nice to know that people remembered that it was 25 years ago and want to celebrate it. That’s really cool to know as well.
Futuremag: ‘Strawberry Kisses’ is such an iconic part of Australian pop music. Was there a moment when you realised just how big the song was becoming?
Nikki Webster: I think it’s more about what it brings to people. I think it just brings happiness, and I learned that pretty quickly.
Whether it was people on the street singing it or people in nightclubs singing it to me, every time I’m out, people start mentioning ‘Strawberry Kisses’. I started to realise that it had this infectious feeling for people in a really positive way, and that was pretty cool.
I think that’s carried on. People remember what they were doing 25 years ago when they heard the song, or they remember playing it to their kids, or their kids playing it on repeat. It’s those memories that make it really special. It’s a nice time to reflect back on everybody’s life in general and how much everybody has achieved in 25 years.
Futuremag: Are there any songs from the album that you wish were still getting as much recognition as ‘Strawberry Kisses’?
Nikki Webster: Definitely. My brother’s favourite is ‘Best Days’, and I loved that track. It was really fun and kind of poppy.
I also loved ‘Red Light Green Light’. That was a really fun track that probably didn’t get a lot of traction.
‘Dancing in the Street’ was such a fun video clip. Filming it at Movie World and shutting down Movie World was insane. Every time I go back to Movie World with my kids, I’m like, “I filmed there and I filmed there and I did that.” So that’s really fun.
I also love singing ‘Depend on Me’. It’s about friendship, and that’s my daughter’s favourite.
Futuremag: With the anniversary bringing the song to a new generation, have you ever wanted to distance yourself from ‘Strawberry Kisses’, or do you still feel connected to it?
Nikki Webster: No, I never want to be disconnected from it, which I think is kind of cool. You’d think I’d be over it, but I always want to be a part of it.
When Sony rang and said, “Hey, we want to celebrate 25 years,” I didn’t have to take one second to think about it. I was like, absolutely. What an honour to even be a part of this.
It’s brought so much to my life and my family’s life as well. The song brings so much joy to us as a family, so it’s pretty cool to get to celebrate it and share it with Aussies and the people who have supported the song.
Futuremag: You’ve also released some new merch to celebrate the anniversary. What was it like the first time you held that 7-inch ‘Strawberry Kisses’ vinyl?
Nikki Webster: It was so nostalgic. Just getting to see it on vinyl was so cool, and then seeing it reprinted as well.
Seeing myself and what I looked like back then and seeing it reprinted was so fun. I’ve been getting lots of DMs from people saying, “I’ve got it, I’ve ordered it,” and it seems to be going gangbusters.
I’m so grateful to everyone who has ordered it and I hope it keeps flying off the shelves.
Futuremag: The cap seems to be pretty popular too, and I can see you’re repping it now. What was it like recreating that year 2000s vibe?
Nikki Webster: I love it. I’m a pink girl, so it was really cool and kind of a no-brainer. It’s that Y2K throwback and paying respect to the 2000s, I guess, and having a bit of fun with it.
The feedback has been really, really cool. A lot of people have worn it to pubs and things, and people are stopping them and messaging me saying, “Oh, I wore it to the pub and everyone loves it.”
We’re getting really great feedback and everyone seems to be really positive about it, which I’m very grateful for.
Futuremag: I loved the recent performance where your daughter helped you recreate ‘Strawberry Kisses’. What was it like inviting your daughter into such a huge part of your childhood career?
Nikki Webster: It was incredible. She was quite a bit younger than I was when I did ‘Strawberry Kisses’. She’s 12 and I think I was about 14 when I did it.
She looks so much like me, so I thought it would be a really fun moment for us to share and a memory that we can keep together forever. It was the best time on stage.
When she took over and I got to stand there and watch her, I was tearing up, just thinking what a huge moment it was. I’m so proud of her for not holding back and not being shy to give it a go and put herself out there.
I couldn’t be prouder.
Futuremag: Both of your children seem to be expressing an interest in the performing arts. Having experienced your own career from such a young age, are there extra protections you put in place as a parent?
Nikki Webster: I don’t think it’s extra protection. I think it’s extra support, definitely.
It’s a matter of allowing them to know how much hard work it is. If this is something you want to do, it may look fun, but it’s really hard work. If you’re going to put the work in and you really love it, then I’ll be there supporting you every step of the way.
It’s a tough journey. It isn’t easy. There are ups and downs and everything in between. It may look glamorous on the outside, but there’s a lot of depth to it.
I think I have insight into allowing them to see the full picture and making them understand how hard it is. It’s a really tough gig. If they want to do it, I’ll cheer them on and be there supporting them as Mum as much as I can and guiding them where I can.
If they listen, great. If they don’t, then it’s their journey. But I’ll still support them whatever that may be.
I think it’s just watching, as a parent, your kids’ eyes light up. You know they’ve made the right choice for where they are at now, and so I have to support that. I’m never going to take that away from them.
Futuremag: The Matildas have also adopted ‘Strawberry Kisses’, which makes the song even more iconic. What was that moment like for you?
Nikki Webster: That was so cool. They’re just incredible. I’m in awe of what they’ve achieved, what they are as a team, what they bring and what they represent for young girls and young players and sportspeople today.
I have huge respect for them as individuals and as a team.
When they started playing my song and using it as something to uplift them before a game, it just blew my mind. I could not have dreamt it. It was magical.
It was such a fun time to be surrounded by them, and their energy is infectious. I’m very, very grateful.
Futuremag: Dance @ Nikki Webster is also celebrating 18 years this year. When you were younger, did you ever imagine that one day you’d be mentoring and training the next generation of performers?
Nikki Webster: It was something I always wanted to do. Even as a kid, I wanted to run a studio. I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to be in a position to do it.
I opened it the day after my 21st birthday. Crazy idea to open it the day after your 21st, but just to see it grow and what it’s become now, and the students we’ve had come through the doors and the students who come back and tell us about their journey, that’s the most rewarding.
When you see students come back and teach for you, or have a career, or just come back as a mum and bring their kids to the studio, it’s so incredible to see that circle come full circle.
I absolutely love what I get to do every day. Watching the kids have fun, live their dreams and be in a creative space is the best feeling.
Futuremag: Looking back at a younger Nikki, what would you tell her now, knowing everything you know about your career, your studio and your life as a mum?
Nikki Webster: I would just say trust the process. Trust the journey.
There are ups and downs and there are a lot of hard times, but I think just stay close to the people who are there for you and enjoy the journey. That’s the most important thing.
Don’t think too far in advance. Just enjoy the journey and see where it takes you.
Futuremag: Finally, what’s next for you? Can we expect new music in 2026 or 2027?
Nikki Webster: At the moment, I’m working on the merch, and that’s fun — getting back into styling and doing all of that, and just the nostalgia.
At the moment we’re celebrating that, but maybe it’s a watch this space. Maybe I’m not finished yet. Who knows?