Jackie ‘O’ Henderson reveals the REAL reason why she said ‘nup’ to the Melbourne Cup

Jackie 'O' Henderson reveals the REAL reason why she said 'nup' to the Melbourne Cup

As someone who has always admired Jackie ‘O’ Henderson for her resilience and unapologetic authenticity, reading about her recent revelations was both eye-opening and humbling. It’s easy to get lost in the glamour of her public life, but her struggles with addiction and emotional turmoil serve as a stark reminder that beneath every polished facade lies a complex human story.


Jackie ‘O’ Henderson is certainly no stranger to flaunting her sartorial style at swanky events.

But the radio queen, 49, was a notable omission from Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup celebrity roster.

This attractive woman with blonde hair has shared that the main factor leading her to withdraw from this year’s highly anticipated race, which captivates the entire nation, is her lack of affinity for horses.

As I ponder over my decision to attend, I found myself questioning, “What truly compels me? Is it the allure of the horses?” Yet, that’s not quite it. Instead, I find myself drawn by an inexplicable fascination, a desire to immerse myself in the very essence of the event, that’s what drives me.

Jackie mentioned that, at this stage in her life, glamorous parties filled with celebrities no longer carry the same allure for her as they used to.

‘I think so often we are motivated by ego and it is so hard to strip that bare,’ she said. 

‘You start to hang out with people and think: ‘Who are these people?” 

Jackie swiftly clarified that this brief pause wasn’t a sign of a mid-life crisis.

Jackie 'O' Henderson reveals the REAL reason why she said 'nup' to the Melbourne Cup

Jackie 'O' Henderson reveals the REAL reason why she said 'nup' to the Melbourne Cup

‘It sounds like I’m having a mid-life crisis, but it’s the opposite.’

Jackie’s remarks follow a remarkable confession by the prominent radio personality regarding her past struggles with addiction, which she disclosed in an emotional talk with her fellow host Kyle Sandilands on their KIIS FM broadcast last month.

At the peak of her addiction, she disclosed that she consumed approximately 10 to 12 Stilnox/Zolpidem sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte tablets daily, often accompanying this with alcohol consumption.

Additionally, Jackie confessed that she sought treatment at the Betty Ford Clinic in California during November 2022, which coincided with a prolonged absence from her radio show, The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

On the other hand, the radio personality faced criticism because they sought treatment at an expensive, popular facility abroad, despite numerous Australians finding it difficult to cover the costs of local recovery services.

Responding to this, Jackie announced on Instagram that she intends to give the earnings from her book “The Whole Truth” to the Odyssey House Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre.

As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but express my deep gratitude for the remarkable work Odyssey House does. They offer life-altering aid to those in need, yet find themselves financially challenged on their journey towards recovery. Their efforts are nothing short of powerful, crucial, and transformative – making a real difference in countless lives, including mine.

This week on A Current Affair, Jackie shared that her life became extremely difficult after her 18-year marriage to photographer Lee Henderson fell apart. It’s amazing that she managed to carry on living through such tough times.

She confided in host Allison Langdon that she struggled significantly, and it was clear that she didn’t handle things in a beneficial or wholesome manner.

Jackie 'O' Henderson reveals the REAL reason why she said 'nup' to the Melbourne Cup

She mused that the solution was simply, “I’ll opt for a beverage instead.” She continued, expressing her dismal life of barely recalling, having no desire to reflect, experience, or act.

‘I don’t know how I woke up either… someone was watching out for me,’ the mother-of-one admitted.

The seasoned entertainer shared that she often awoke feeling like she wasn’t getting enough air, which she compared to the frightening experience of temporarily ceasing to breathe while asleep.

When asked if she cared whether she survived, Jackie answered with stark honesty.

‘Not really. I don’t think so,’ she replied.

‘It just goes to show how looks can be deceiving, right?’ she added.

Jackie 'O' Henderson reveals the REAL reason why she said 'nup' to the Melbourne Cup

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2024-11-05 12:48

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