Jackie O Sues ARN for $80M Over PTSD Claims as Kyle Responds

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has alleged in Federal Court documents that she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder from workplace bullying by former co-host Kyle Sandilands at KIIS FM. Court filings released Tuesday include a psychiatrist’s report supporting her claim. Henderson is suing ARN, the station’s owner, after her $100 million contract was terminated in March 2026, weeks after an on-air conflict.

What Henderson claims happened

Henderson alleges that Sandilands’ behaviour shifted in 2023, becoming ‘unpredictable and erratic’. She said comments that once felt like banter became pointed and designed to ‘belittle or humiliate’ her. In her affidavit, she described driving to work with ‘anxiety and dread’ and feeling ’emotionally unsafe’ despite outward appearances of positivity. The on-air argument in late February over her love of astrology triggered her exit from the show.

Medical evidence supports her account

Psychiatrist Dr Jonathan Phillips found Henderson was suffering from PTSD as a result of Sandilands’ bullying, ARN’s failure to protect her, and the public announcement of her contract termination. Psychologist Dr Emma Agnew wrote that the pattern of belittling behaviour was consistent with workplace bullying. Agnew said the public nature of the conduct and perceived lack of support from ARN contributed to Henderson’s emotional decline.

Sandilands denies wrongdoing

Kyle Sandilands responded on his show Kyle Sandilands Live on Wednesday morning, saying he ‘fell apart’ and ‘burst into tears’ when he read the allegations. He called Henderson’s claims ‘soul-destroying’ and said they were ‘so against what the reality of what happened was’. Sandilands said his commitment to Henderson extended well beyond their on-air partnership. He is not a party to the lawsuit.

The partnership’s collapse

The Kyle and Jackie O Show ended on KIIS FM in March after 27 years on air. ARN terminated their $200 million 10-year contract just one year in. Henderson told ARN she could no longer work with Sandilands and did not feel safe in the workplace. The pair’s split made headlines globally and ended one of Australia’s most successful radio partnerships.

Final Thoughts

Henderson’s Federal Court filing marks her first public statement on the split. The case hinges on whether ARN failed to protect her from workplace bullying. Sandilands’ emotional denial suggests the dispute will intensify as the lawsuit proceeds.

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