Radio star Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s sexy, sassy transformation
Giving up alcohol and going on a diet resulted in a dramatic transformation for radio star Jackie ‘O’ Henderson — and now she’s found her fashion groove.
Entertainment
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This is Jackie 2.0.
Since the mid-1990s, Jackie “O” Henderson has undergone a series of style transformations.
It seems that at 49, the queen of breakfast radio has found her fashion groove.
In recent years, Henderson has opted for busy florals, oversized tracksuits and even Hawaiian mumu-style dresses, but in the past year the mother-of-one has revamped her wardrobe and perfected her personal style.
And the fash pack are taking notice.
Her most recent look, a $1100 Christopher Esber mini skirt and T-shirt, flying off the shelves and resulting in her stylist’s phone ringing hot with inquiries.
But Henderson hasn’t always been known for her flawless figure and sense of style.
For years, Henderson’s weight and lack of effort when it came to fashion have been a topic on her and Kyle Sandilands’ top-rating KIIS FM radio program.
In 2016, she was told by her dad Tony that she had “stacked on the weight” and had “let herself go”. Two years later, Jackie O announced her split from husband Lee Henderson after 18 years together.
Less than a week later, Sandilands “fat-shamed” her live on air, rating her “five out of 10” because her stomach “needs a fair bit of work”. Then in 2022, the shock jock joked he could never have sex with Henderson because “she’s stacked on the kilos”.
Last year, Jackie O went on a diet, began exercising and quit booze. By August, she had shed more than 18kg.
It was then Henderson began taking an interest in fashion and began earning sartorial street cred among fashion followers.
Fast-forward 12 months and she has found her fashionable feet.
As well as homing in on her own personal style, Henderson enlisted one of the country’s top stylists, Jess Pecoraro, who is responsible for her endless number of well-curated looks.
Pecoraro, who also worked with Henderson three years ago when she appeared on Channel 10’s The Masked Singer, said she had noticed a significant change in her client when it came to confidence.
“Now the options are endless,” Pecoraro told The Sunday Telegraph.
“When I started with her, I had a brief that I had to stick to; now we can do anything.
“She is more playful now and is putting effort in every day.
“She is looking amazing, so we are having so much fun when it comes to the fashion choices.
“She is enjoying the process more. We have a lot of fun pulling together these looks.”
Pecroaro said Henderson was now being recognised as a key player in Sydney’s style scene.
“All the fashion crowd is noticing her and Jackie deserves all the attention she has been getting,” she said.
“Compared to previously, she is a bit more playful and is excited to try things on and have fittings.
“She is excited to experiment with new brands and new designers. She is invested in the fashion now, which I love as a stylist.”
Pecoraro is responsible for Henderson’s now coveted Christopher Esber look at her boat birthday party on Sydney Harbour last weekend, which resulted in the designer set almost selling out.
“It was so cheeky and playful,” she said.
“Jackie has the most amazing legs, so it’s always been about her legs. I have never had so many people reach out to me over a set.”
Paparazzi will often snap Henderson updating her wardrobe at luxury designer store Belinda, Rebecca Vallance, and at The Intersection in Paddington, where she peruses Zimmermann, Scanlan and Theodore and Rachel Gilbert.
She has been photographed in a number of Vallance pieces — most recently at Friday night’s Taylor Swift concert — with founder Rebecca Vallance saying: “Jackie is the ultimate RV girl, and she has a modern eye for colour and print.
“She tends to favour minis or midis; anything that is feminine and ‘of the moment’.”
Fashion psychologist and styler Trish Murray said losing excess weight had empowered Henderson to embrace a new sense of confidence.
“And this has prompted her to explore new avenues of self-expression, including her fashion and style choices,” she said.
“As a fashion stylist, when I witness positive healthy changes in my clients, it can inspire new focus to their outward appearance and this is what we have seen with Jackie O.
“Refreshing her wardrobe became a symbol of her dedication to self-care and personal growth, both inside and out.
“Throughout her transformation, Jackie received an outpouring of support and encouragement from her friends and fans alike.
“The positive feedback served as validation of her efforts, reinforcing the idea that her transformation was not only noticed but admired.”
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