Jackie O. Henderson shared a heartfelt message with fans a day after opening up about her private struggle with addiction on live TV.
This morning, the 49-year-old Australian radio superstar took to her Instagram Stories to thank listeners for their support.
“I would like to thank everyone who sent me messages of kindness and support yesterday,” Henderson’s message began.
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Jackie O. Henderson thanked fans for their support. (Instagram/@jackieo_official)
“Your beautiful words mean so much to me. I will spend the weekend examining each one and replying to you as best I can,” she continued.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️❤️❤️.”
It was 24 hours earlier that Henderson broke down in tears during the Kyle and Jackie O Show while reading from his upcoming memoir, Jackie O: The Whole Truth. .
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Henderson privately revealed that she had been battling painkiller, sleeping pill and alcohol addiction for three years, and her best friend and manager, Gemma O’Neill, took her to a 28-day 12-step program at a rehabilitation center in California in November 2022. I confessed that I had gone. .
Speaking to co-host Kyle Sandilands, Ms Henderson said: “I was scared to tell people about it, I was scared to say it out loud. People would look at me differently and judge me. I know that,” he said. “I was in a really, really dark place.”
During a visit to the Betty Ford Center in Palm Springs, Henderson publicly announced that he had contracted the coronavirus and would be taking an extended break from “The Kyle and Jackie O Show” to focus on his health.
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Henderson shared the statement on her Instagram Story Friday morning. (Instagram/@jackieo_official)
Ms. Henderson called it a “lie by omission” when she read part of her memoir’s prologue on air.
She was sick with COVID-19 and a lung infection, and was absent because she was receiving treatment for her battle with addiction.
She kept it private until Thursday, telling a small group of close friends the true extent of her problem so she could focus solely on her health and recovery.
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Henderson made an emotional confession on Thursday morning’s broadcast. (KIISFM)
That group included her personal assistant, her parents, and O’Neill. Mr Sandilands, his extended family and close friends were kept in the dark until yesterday.
She said she asked her 13-year-old daughter Kitty for permission before revealing the truth, and praised Kitty for treating her with “compassion.”
“I couldn’t be more proud of my daughter. Her attitude so far has been non-judgmental, just caring and supportive,” Henderson said.
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She credits her best friend and manager Gemma O’Neill with saving her life. (Instagram/@jackieo_official)
Henderson credits O’Neal with saving her life.
“I believe she saved my life, and she did,” Henderson said on the air, encouraging O’Neal to seek treatment, helping her pack her belongings, and driving her 10,000 to Palm Springs. He said that he accompanied him on a journey of over 2,000 kilometers.
“And I think we all need friends like that.”
She also said she wanted to speak out in the fight to reduce the “stigma” surrounding addiction.
“I want to apologize to my listeners and everyone in my life,” Henderson said. “I needed to focus on that part first: recovery.”
If you or someone you know would like to talk to someone confidentially about addiction, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Reach Out. In case of emergency, please call 000.
