Nikki Webster performs her iconic hit Strawberry Kisses at Matildas ceremony – while players Sam Kerr and Mackenzie Arnold dance and sing along
Nikki Webster’s 2001 hit Strawberry Kisses became the unofficial anthem of the Matildas 2023 World Cup team.
And on Sunday, the pop star, 36, serenaded the Australian soccer team with the song at Brisbane’s Riverstage as they celebrated their fourth-place finish in the tournament.
Nikki was in her element as she got up close and personal with the athletes as she sang her song to thousands of fans.
The Matildas were on stage for nearly an hour as their huge sporting success was honored, when Webster appeared out of nowhere to perform for them.
Nikki looked every inch as she effortlessly sang the tune for esteemed athletes, including star striker Sam Kerr and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Nikki Webster’s 2001 hit Strawberry Kisses became the unofficial anthem of the Matildas 2023 World Cup team. Pictured: Nikki Webster and Matildas star striker Sam Kerr
The Matildas looked over the moon to finally relax after a grueling finals campaign that saw them finish fourth after losing to Sweden on Saturday.
Fans quickly took to Twitter to gush about seeing Webster serenading the Tillies.
What better way to celebrate the Tillies than a performance by Nikki Webster herself,” one fan wrote and another added, “This is so iconic I’m crying.”
And on Sunday, the pop star, 36, serenaded the Aussie soccer team with the song at Brisbane’s Riverstage as they celebrated their fourth-place finish in the tournament.
It comes after Webster made a shocking confession about her signature Strawberry Kisses song.
Last week, the former child star said she receives no royalties for the song, which reached No. 2 on the ARIA chart.
Appears on 2DayFMs Hughesy, Ed & Erin breakfast show on Wednesday, Webster explained that since she had not written the song, she was not entitled to any income from the sale.
She also added the memorable music video, in which a 13-year-old Webster dances with an animated robot – at the time the most expensive music video ever made in Australia.
Webster couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she got close to the athletes and effortlessly sang the tune to them as thousands of fans watched
Webster joked that the hit’s songwriters were “really happy” with her at the time after Matildas goaltender Mackenzie Arnold revealed that Strawberry Kisses was a team favorite.
After host Erin Molan asked if Webster was entitled to any of the Strawberry Kisses winnings, the beloved Aussie star replied: ‘Well, no, it’s recoverable from the record company for the money they invested in you as an artist. ‘
Strawberry Kisses, released in June 2001, was written by Jeff Franzel, Andy Marvel and Marjorie Maye and spent a whopping 14 weeks on the ARIA chart.
It comes after the Matildas goalkeeper, Mackenzie Arnold revealed that Strawberry Kisses was the song the team played before kickoff.
‘I don’t know where that comes from. I think it was actually (Matilda) Steph Catley’s favorite song and now we’ve all jumped on the bandwagon,” she said last week.
The Matildas were on stage for nearly an hour as their huge sporting success was honored, when Webster appeared out of nowhere to perform for them.
Nikki looked every inch a stunner as she effortlessly sang the tune for the esteemed athletes