Check out Heaven nightclub Barbarella’s new look as she pays tribute to Olivia Newton-John

Nikki made a name for herself in the nineties and noughties as Barbarella at Heaven’s Timewarp nights, now she’s starring in a tribute show. See how the nightclub icon looks now.

It’s been 30 years since Nikki Kosmida-Heuskes first wowed the party crowd at Adelaide’s super club Heaven.

From 1995 to 2005 she was Barbarella, performing alongside Captain Kirk, Jaki J and DJ Shogun, at Timewarp – an OTT retro night, staged every Wednesday.

Nikki as Barbarella wearing body paint by Emma Hack in 2000. Picture: The Advertiser

Nikki was Hans’ back-up singer in 2020. Picture: Mark Lobo

By 2020 Niki was the owner of Ask the Body Kinesiology in Mount Barker and singing in a band All About Her, plus doing backing vocals for America’s Got Talent: The Champion contestant Hans.

And now, she is about to take on another role – paying homage to the late, great Olivia Newton-John.

Nikki is starring in a special ONJ tribute show this Mother’s Day, Sunday May 11, from noon.

The event, which will include a Luigi’s Delicatessen gourmet buffet-style Italian lunch and is being held at Woodville Town Hall.

Nikki Heuskes and her daughter, Akasha Starr. Picture: Ben Clark

In the lead up, Nikki transformed herself into ONJ’s most famous alter-ego, Sandy – the character the Physical singer played in the 1978 movie Grease.

Nikki posed exclusively for The Advertiser in Sandy’s iconic outfit; the famous spray-on shiny black pants, off-the-shoulder top and leather jacket the “good girl gone bad” wore at the end of the movie – when she delivered the famous line “Tell me about it, stud” to John Travolta’s Danny.

Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and John Travolta as Danny. Picture: Advertiser Library.

By Nikki’s side was her daughter Akasha Starr, 19, who was dressed as Sandy before her sexy makeover.

Both looking the part, the two enjoyed a fun photo shoot at DJ’s Diner and Bar, at Mantra Hindmarsh Square.

Nikki and her daughter, Akasha Starr. Picture: Ben Clark

Nikki, who is also mum to Australian Idol 2025 contestant Jaylena Heuskes, was lucky enough to meet her idol ONJ.

The encounter took place when she and Hans were doing a sound check ahead of the 2019 Mid Winter Ball at Parliament House in Canberra.

“She walked in and sat down waiting for Daryl Braithwaite … I had never been starstruck

before, I couldn’t even speak,” Nikki says.

“She said ‘Sing for me!’ So we did and it was such a special moment … I will never forget it.”

The chance meeting came about because ONJ, who was also performing at heard music and gravitated towards it.

Nikki Kosmida-Heuskes, Olivia Newton-John and Matt Gilbertson. Picture: Supplied

Guests attending the Mother’s Day lunch and show will have the chance to win door prizes – so long as they come dressed in their best Grease outfit.

* The “Tribute to Olivia Newton-John” Mother’s Day Luncheon is on from midday to 1.45pm, followed by the tribute show from 2pm-4pm.

Tickets to the lunch and show are from Eventbrite.

There are also tickets available for those who want to see the tribute show only.

Originally published as Check out Heaven nightclub Barbarella’s new look as she pays tribute to Olivia Newton-John