For close to two years, Jackie 'O' Henderson wondered how the world - and those closest to her - would react if she shared the truth about what happened in November 2022.
That was the month she went to rehab after three years battling drug and alcohol addiction.
Now, in a rare and candid interview with Good Weekend, the 49-year-old Australian radio superstar explained that for close to two years, her mind has kept wandering back to the idea of speaking up.
READ MORE: Jackie O breaks down as she admits addiction battle
Jackie O Henderson was candid in a new interview with Good Weekend. Out now. (Supplied/Good Weekend)"There's been so many times where I've wondered, 'Should I just say it?'," she told the outlet earnestly.
"But then I'd think, 'I have the right to keep this private until I'm ready, because sobriety is a really fragile thing.'"
It's something she's never shared with the media before.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
How a chance phone call led to Jackie O's $200m payday
Henderson privately struggled with addiction for years before she spent a month at the Betty Ford Centre in Palm Springs, California in late 2022.
At the time she kept her battle secret from almost everyone in her life, including her KIIS FM bosses and The Kyle and Jackie O Show co-host Kyle Sandilands.
When asked why she didn't share her battle with Sandilands sooner, Henderson tells Good Weekend she wouldn't risk it.
READ MORE: Best friend's incredible act 'saved' Jackie 'O' Henderson's life
Jackie O kept the battle from her co-host Kyle Sandilands. (KIIS FM)"I know Kyle. If I told him something in confidence, he's never going to outright say it on air," she said. "But he might have a tiny little slip, and I just didn't want anyone to know."
Despite keeping Sandilands in the dark, he very nearly guessed the truth.
Before her stay, Henderson told listeners she would be taking time off to focus on her health after a long bout of COVID-19.
READ MORE: Jackie 'O' Henderson's emotional update after revealing private battle with addiction
Jackie O may not have written the book if it weren't for her daughter's support. (Instagram)When she returned, Sandilands joked on the airwaves that she had probably been at the Betty Ford Centre. He had no idea that that's exactly where she had been undergoing treatment for addiction.
Henderson shared her addiction battle with the world on Thursday morning, while reading an extract from her upcoming memoir Jackie O: The Whole Truth live on air.
However, this memoir may never have been written if not for the wholehearted support of Henderson's 13-year-old daughter Kitty, who has shown her mum incredible compassion through her struggles.
READ MORE: How to know if you're overfeeding your dog
Jackie O's daughter Kitty gave her support amid the battle. (Instagram/Jackie O)"I don't know how it would have been if Kitty felt differently," Henderson told Good Weekend. "I don't think I would have done the book, to be honest."
Read the full story in Good Weekend out now or on the Good Weekend website here.
Jackie O: The Whole Truth releases on October 29.
If you or someone you know would like to talk to someone confidentially about addiction, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Reach Out. In an emergency, call 000.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
English (US) ·