Jackie ‘O’ Henderson appeared not to have a care in the world on Friday, despite her wrongful termination lawsuit against her former employer ARN appearing in Federal Court.
The former radio queen, 51, is currently in the midst of a civil case against ARN over the termination of her $100 million contract, along with her former co-host Kyle Sandilands, 54, who filed a separate claim against the network.
With both matters set for a case management hearing on Friday, speculation was rife that the duo would cross paths for the first time since their spectacular on-air blow-up on February 20.
However, Henderson decided to give court a wide berth, opting instead to check on the progress of the ambitious rebuild of her Clovelly dream home.
Despite the legal storm, Henderson cut a very breezy figure as she was spotted leaving the property in her sleek $500,000 black Range Rover.
Henderson was all smiles, flashing photographers a wide grin as she made her exit.
Jackie ‘O’ Henderson appeared to not have a care in the world on Friday, despite her wrongful termination lawsuit against her former employer ARN hitting Federal Court
She was dressed casually in a crisp white, three-quarter-length-sleeved blouse and a pair of black Ray-Ban sunglasses.
Wearing her blonde locks in loose waves that fell freely over her shoulders, Jackie also sported a light rose shade on her lip.
In spite of her legal woes, Henderson certainly has reasons to smile, with her Clovelly dream home continuing to take shape.
Aerial images of the ambitious rebuild, published earlier this month, show that she is reaching for the sky.
An additional third storey has begun to take shape above the sprawling concrete base of the mega-mansion.
The formidable home is well and truly transforming into a clifftop coastal palace, with a resort-style concrete pool installed and expansive, upper-level framing in place for the next phase of construction.
Henderson has certainly been taking a hands-on approach to her rebuild, having been pictured on site on a number of occasions amid her legal dramas.
Last month, Henderson was spotted at the home with her high-profile interior designer pal Steve Cordony.
The former radio queen, 51, is currently in the midst of a civil case against ARN over the termination of her $100 million contract, along with her former co-host Kyle Sandilands , 54, who filed a separate claim against the network
However, Henderson decided to give court a wide berth, opting instead to check on the progress of the ambitious rebuild of her Clovelly dream home
The home is expected to be worth an eye-watering $30 million when the rebuild is complete, with Jackie currently staying in a rental with her daughter Kitty as she weathers the media storm of her recent departure from The Kyle & Jackie O Show and subsequent legal action.
While Henderson did not appear in court on Friday, her lawyer said there was no dispute from ARN that Sandilands allegedly bullied her client.
Her main claim, the lawyer said, was whether ARN was responsible for Henderson’s wellbeing at work.
She opposed the idea that both matters could be heard at the same time because, while Henderson is suing ARN rather than Sandilands, her claim includes allegations that Sandilands ’caused her significant psychological harm’.
Joining the matters would place Henderson at the centre of a much larger case that goes beyond the scope of her Fair Work claim, her lawyer said.
Henderson’s matter will include evidence about her mental health, and the impact the situation has had on her wellbeing.
ARN lawyers argued the matters should be heard together because there was a large amount of overlapping evidence.
‘It was all recorded, we don’t expect there will be a dispute about what has occurred – Ms Henderson said these incidents amounted to workplace bullying… and we agree that is a correct characterisation of that conduct,’ he said.
Despite the legal storm, Henderson cut a very breezy figure as she was spotted leaving the property in her sleek $500,000 black Range Rover. Henderson was all smiles, flashing photographers wide grin as she made her exit
Meanwhile, Henderson did not appear in court on Friday, but her lawyer said there was no dispute from ARN that Sandilands allegedly bullied her client. Her main claim, the lawyer said, was whether ARN was responsible for Henderson’s wellbeing at work
‘We don’t expect Mr Sandilands to agree this amounted to serious misconduct, but the court is going to look at that conduct, characterise it, reaching conclusions about both and find facts about that conduct.’
He said those conclusions may end up being very different if the cases were heard separately.
Justice Stewart tentatively set hearing dates for October 12, but did not make a decision over whether the matters should merge.
On Friday, ARN’s lawyer revealed the pair will never present breakfast radio on KIIS again, as Kyle’s relationship with Jackie has ‘completely broken down’ and prospects are ‘hopeless’.
Confronted with a media pack outside court before the hearing, Sandilands hopped out of a black Rolls-Royce and made it clear the radio stars are currently not communicating, saying: ‘I haven’t spoken to Jackie.’
Sandilands also made a series of veiled comments about his ARN bosses and former co-host Henderson, talking about ‘truth’ and ‘media dynamics’, and demanded for ARN to ‘put me back on radio’.
However, a lawyer representing ARN told the court ‘trust and confidence has utterly broken down between the parties … it’s a hopeless situation’.
‘The idea that they might get a [court] order for the parties to get together and cooperate for the next nine years is hopeless,’ he said.
Confronted with a media pack outside court on Friday, Sandilands hopped out of a black Rolls-Royce and made it clear the radio stars are currently not communicating, saying: ‘I haven’t spoken to Jackie.’
‘One day you hate someone, the next day you’re best friends… There’s strategy and then there’s truth, and once we get inside, you’ll get all the answers out and the truth will raise its head’
Henderson and Sandilands had nine years left on their contracts by the time they were terminated.
On Friday, Sandilands also said : ‘I can talk to anyone – it’s the media business.
‘One day you hate someone, the next day you’re best friends… There’s strategy and then there’s truth, and once we get inside, you’ll get all the answers out and the truth will raise its head.’
He also said the dispute had become ‘pretty ugly’, adding that his message to ARN was to put him back on the radio.
ARN has filed a counterclaim in both matters, claiming the relationship breakdown threatens to undermine its profitability, and is seeking damages for breach of contract, losses in profit and advertising revenue, and legal costs.
Defence documents lodged by ARN in Henderson’s matter say Sandilands often made ‘offensive and degrading’ comments to her, but the broadcaster had ‘no ability or powers’ to stop him.
Henderson and Sandilands signed their contracts using their respective businesses, Henderson Media and Quasar. ARN claims those businesses were responsible for the welfare and conduct of the co‑hosts, rather than the broadcaster.
The radio giant’s defence also referred to a complaint from Henderson’s lawyers about Sandilands in the days following the February argument, stating she would not return to work until she was given an alternative radio show.
To ARN, that meant Henderson did not intend to return to work if there was no alternative show. ARN said it did not propose an alternative show because there was no obligation to do so.
