Jackie ‘O’ Henderson came under fire on social media on Thursday after revealing she secretly checked into the celebrity-favoured rehab Betty Ford Clinic for drug and alcohol addiction.
But many of the 49-year-old radio queen’s celebrity friends have rallied behind her, with a flood of comments hitting the Kyle and Jackie O Show’s Instagram account on Thursday.
Jackie made the stunning admission that at the height of her addiction she was consuming up to 12 Stilnox sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte tablets daily during a tearful conversation with her co-host Kyle Sandilands on their KIIS FM radio show.
And Tottie Goldsmith was one of the first to wish Jackie the best, with the singer and actress writing, ‘The people that feel deeply for others will be proud of and inspired by you, and they are all that matter. Bravo sista!! You’ve got this!!’
‘I’m crying now too!!! Much love to you!!’ added American gossip columnist Perez Hilton.
‘Thank you for sharing Jackie, you inspire someone else & give them permission to share their story to allow them to know it’s ok,’ wrote Married At First Sight star Cam Merchant.
Meanwhile comedian Peter Helliar simply added, ‘Love & strength to you Jackie.’
The wave of support follows earlier online criticism of the mother-of-one.
Jackie ‘O’ Henderson came under fire on social media on Thursday after revealing she secretly checked into the celebrity-favoured rehab Betty Ford Clinic for drug and alcohol addiction. Pictured: Henderson
While Jackie bravely shared her story, explaining her battle with addiction and why she took an extended break from The Kyle and Jackie O Show, not all listeners were sympathetic.
Many criticised the radio personality for using an overseas facility favoured by the rich and famous, while thousands of ns struggle to afford local rehabilitation services.
Known for treating Hollywood stars including Keith Urban, Robert Downey Jr. and Lindsay Lohan, the Betty Ford Clinic charges anywhere from $45,000 to $90,000 AUD for a month-long stay, depending on the program.
But many of the 49-year-old radio queen’s celebrity friends have rallied behind her, with a flood of comments hitting the Kyle and Jackie O Show’s Instagram account on Thursday. Pictured: model Ellie Gonsalves
Tottie Goldsmith was one of the first to wish Jackie the best, with the singer and actress writing, ‘The people that feel deeply for others will be proud of and inspired by you, and they are all that matter’
While the clinic provides comprehensive care for addiction, the price tag left many listeners feeling disconnected from Jackie’s story.
Social media was soon flooded with backlash, with fans slamming the star for apparently flaunting her privilege.
‘Desperate for ratings in Melbourne. We don’t care, Jackie. You’re rich and have every resource at your hand. You are not one of us,’ one listener vented.
Others chimed in with similar sentiments: ‘It’s all well and good to inspire people to stop taking drugs, but not many people can afford a stint in rehab at the Betty Ford clinic.’
Another wrote: ‘Grow up with your $20m a year paycheck. Who cares about her? She has money to get help, what about the THOUSANDS of people who can’t afford help? Sounds like a “look at me” attitude.’
Known for treating Hollywood stars like Keith Urban, Robert Downey Jr. and Lindsay Lohan, the clinic charges anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000 USD for a month-long stay, depending on the program
Jackie’s emotional confession, however, did have its supporters.
‘Why are there so many haters! Good on you, Jackie, for having the courage and honesty to tell us about your battle with addiction. Hopefully, your story will save some lives,’ one fan wrote.
‘Cried my eyes out this morning… so much courage. What a journey. You are amazing a true inspiration to so many,’ wrote another on Instagram.
A second added: ‘These problems she’s detailed don’t discriminate over rich and poor. Look at Andrew O’Keeffe. Liam Payne. It never ends well, so it’s important to get help.’
Jackie admitted she was advised not to reduce her pill intake before arriving at the clinic, meaning she was still using the substances the day she flew out to the US.
Jackie revealed that at the height of her addiction, she was consuming up to 12 Stilnox sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte tablets daily, often with alcohol. Pictured at the 2022 n Commercial Radio Awards with her daughter Kitty shortly before leaving the country
When Jackie took her break from the show in 2022, Kyle Sandilands told listeners she was stepping away to ‘focus on her health’ after contracting COVID-19.
However, behind the scenes, the beloved radio host was battling an addiction that had spiralled out of control.
Jackie admitted she was ashamed of her secret, fearing public judgement, and decided to get help after hitting rock bottom.
Jackie said she began struggling after her split from UK photographer Lee Henderson in 2018.
She also revealed she asked permission from her daughter Kitty, 13, to share her story publicly and praised her for treating her with ‘compassion’.
‘I couldn’t be more proud of my daughter, the way she has been about it has been zero judgement, just compassionate and support,’ Jackie said.
Jackie said she wanted to publicly speak about her addiction battle to reduce the ‘stigma’ around drug dependence and ‘normalise’ it.
The presenter bravely apologised to listeners for not revealing her health struggles before and revealed she will be marking two years of sobriety in a matter of weeks.
‘I want to apologise to our listeners and everyone in my life […] I just needed to concentrate on that part first, that recovery,’ she said.