‘I know exactly what he thinks’: Jackie O Henderson reveals secret to success with co-host Kyle Sandilands

Radio star Jackie O Henderson has opened up about working with Kyle Sandilands, how they negotiated their mega-bucks deal, and her dating life.

Radio star Jackie O Henderson has opened up about how she and co-host Kyle Sandilands negotiated their rumoured $50 million radio deal.

In a new interview, Henderson said the pair were paid equally – and struck the mega bucks salary together.

“It’s rare that you will get a radio duo … that are going in and making sure that they’re getting paid equally,” she told with Samantha Armytage on her podcast, Something To Talk About.

“And it’s to the benefit of your show to do that.”

Jackie O says the secret to her long-term success with radio co-host Kyle Sandilands is that they’re paid the same. Picture: NIGEL WRIGHT/The Masked Singer

‘I know exactly what he thinks.’ Jackie O and Kyle Sandilands are the biggest radio stars in Australia. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Henderson said she and Sandilands had no intention of quitting the high-profile KIIS FM breakfast slot any time soon.

“I just think when that day happens you will miss it so much,” Henderson said.

“Kyle and I always say we’ll be doing it as long as they’ll have us. It’s the blood that runs through our veins … it’s everything to us. We’d be lost, if we didn’t have that radio show.”

Henderson and Sandilands were said to have signed the biggest ever media talent deal in Australia in 2019, to host The Kyle & Jackie O Show until 2024.

Speaking candidly to Armytage, Henderson, 47, revealed she never planned on pursuing a radio career in the early 90s when she stared on-air with her then-husband, Ugly Phil, and was paid about $10,000.

“I’m always happy to go along and see what presents itself,” she said, of how her career has evolved. “That’s not to say I haven’t worked my a** off.”

Henderson said she and shock jock Sandilands were so in sync that “I know where he is going to go next”.

“I know exactly what he thinks,” she said.

Samantha Armytage hosts the podcast, Something to Talk About. Picture: Christian Gilles

‘He does shock me.’ Kyle and Jackie O. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“He does shock me with some of the things that he comes up with.

“There have been times where, you know what? Pick your battles, I’m not going to fight you on this one.”

Henderson credited her job with helping her get through her divorce from ex-husband Lee Henderson, with whom she shares daughter Kitty.

“Every time I get in there and the mic goes on … you just let go and have fun,” Henderson said.

“It’s almost my saving grace, in a way. Kyle is extremely supportive, he knew what was going on (with her marriage breakdown) before anyone else did.

“(Kyle) is a vault – he will never tell anyone.”

Speaking to Armytage, Henderson said she was happily single since her split from Henderson in 2018, after 18 years together.

“I am definitely not ready other than what I have got going on right now (with work).

“I just don’t know when I’d have the time (to date) I really like being on my own for now.

“I’ve never been on a date since I split with my husband.

“I am also really scared to get out there and have that first date.”