Nikki Opens A Can Of Worms

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 14th July, 2008

When Mardi Gras booked Nikki Webster for last year’s Sleaze Ball, they sure opened a can of worms, but you’ve gotta give the girl some credit. She knew it was tongue in cheek and she belted out Strawberry Kisses like nobody’s business! I say, good on her!

Whether you’re a Nikki fan or not, you gotta applaud anyone for having a dream and working hard at it, right? It seems that the folk from Confidential, the gossip corner of Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, don’t agree. They sunk to a new low today when reporting on Nikki Webster’s weekend appearance at Sydney’s Midnight Shift.

Nikki’s recently opened a dance school in Sydney’s inner west, where she teaches people of all ages how to work it on the dance floor the way Nikki did on Dancing With The Stars. However, it wasn’t just Confidential’s bitchiness that shone through in today’s news piece, their homophobia did too.

“Teetering on black stilettos, surrounded by lycra-clad male dancers… Confidential wonders what the parents of the young students Webster has taken under her wing at the talent school she opened recently are thinking.”

Ironically, the readers of Daily Telegraph mostly stood up for Nikki, and condemned the writer in question for the blatant strike against gays.

“It’s a shame about the ‘gay’ comment, someones bias is showing,” said one reader. “Good on her for taking the initiative. What is she suppose to do? Sit at home stagnating waiting for that ‘media approved’ gig? The media should be ashamed at the glee it takes at her ‘supposed’ downfall.”

“What are the parents thinking? Doubt if its even a concern for them. It’s 2008 – gay people, straight people work and party together without an issue. My goodness in other parts of the ‘civilised’ world gay people can even get married! I think its time for ‘Confidential’ to grow up,” says another.

“Would you have made such a fuss if Nikki had done a nightclub appearance at perhaps Home Nightclub, Tank or ahem… Petersham RSL? Quit demonising the fact that she appeared at a gay nightclub. At least she’s got a supportive crowd there,” says another.

It’s sad to see such closed mindedness on display in our mainstream press.

Watch Nikki’s performance at 2007 Sleaze Ball here:

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