{"id":14818,"date":"2026-07-23T16:54:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:54:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=14818"},"modified":"2026-07-23T16:54:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T11:54:03","slug":"shaquille-oneal-reveals-why-he-thinks-celebrities-are-a-holes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=14818","title":{"rendered":"Shaquille O&#8217;Neal reveals why he thinks &#8216;celebrities are a&#8211;holes&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2026%2F07%2Fshaq-on-other-celebs.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Shaquille O\u2019Neal may be a legend, but don\u2019t call him a \u201ccelebrity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/22\/sports\/shaq-tells-lebron-where-to-play-next-after-lakers-departure\/\">exclusively chatting with Page Six<\/a> in a new interview, the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/22\/sports\/shaq-tells-lebron-where-to-play-next-after-lakers-departure\/\">Los Angeles Lakers legend<\/a> explained why he considers himself \u201ca regular person\u201d and doesn\u2019t want to be placed \u201cin that category.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cExcuse my French, celebrities are a\u2013holes,\u201d O\u2019Neal, 54, said, telling us that he thinks they\u2019re \u201cweird, rude and obnoxious.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Shaquille O\u2019Neal (pictured earlier this month at Fanatics Fest 2026 in New York City) exclusively told Page Six in a new interview that he finds celebrities \u201cweird, rude and obnoxious.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images for Fanatics<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Although the former NBA star (pictured above in 2006 with Vince Carter and Dwyane Wade) is a legend in the sports world, he said he considers himself a \u201cregular\u201d person. <span class=\"credit\">NBAE via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>While O\u2019Neal \u2014 aka Shaq \u2014 may not consider himself an A-lister, he\u2019s certainly a household name.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After retiring from the NBA in 2011 following 19 seasons with the league, the basketball MVP has done everything from branching out <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2019\/02\/21\/shaquille-oneal-releases-his-first-song-in-20-years\/\">into music<\/a> to hosting star-studded Super Bowl events, analyzing sports on \u201cInside the NBA\u201d and plenty more. <\/p>\n<p>His latest project? Executive producing an all-new true crime series titled \u201cGame Day Murders.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been a sports guy, I\u2019ve been a true crime guy, and finally, we\u2019re going to merge the two together,\u201d Shaq, a self-proclaimed \u201ctrue crime junkie,\u201d exclusively told Page Six.\u00a0\u201c[I like it because] everybody has that detective in them.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Shaq spoke to Page Six in promotion of a new true crime series he\u2019s executive producing, titled \u201cGame Day Murders\u201d (a promo pic seen above). <span class=\"credit\">ID<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>The athlete (pictured above at the \u201cDunkman\u201d competition last September) called himself a \u201ctrue crime junkie\u201d and said that everybody has \u201cthat detective\u201d in them. <span class=\"credit\">TNT<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Shaq told us that when he watches one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/2015\/03\/02\/brawl-on-the-set-of-stallones-new-rocky-movie\/\">\u201cRocky\u201d movies<\/a>, for example, \u201cI know he may lose\u2026and if he does lose, he\u2019s gonna go through this crazy comeback, and he\u2019s going to win the last fight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, when he watches true crime, \u201cYou don\u2019t know what\u2019s gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The athlete told us his \u201cGame Day Murders\u201d project is centered around crime in the world of sports \u2013 both at the collegiate and professional level.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Shaq (pictured above at Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals in June) said he doesn\u2019t want to \u201csensationalize\u201d the victims in his true crime show. <span class=\"credit\">NBAE via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>The Lakers legend (pictured above at Inside the NBA in December 2024) said he approached true crime with \u201crespect.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">TNT<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Shaq clarified to Page Six that the show is not trying to \u201csensationalize\u201d the victims or tragedies in any way, but to approach the stories with \u201crespect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur goal was to honor the legacy of those who lost their lives,\u201d he said \u2014 and to show viewers \u201chow we all could band together in tough times.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Shaq noted that some of the biggest stories in sports aren\u2019t just \u201cwhat happened on the field or the court,\u201d but what can happen \u201cafter the final whistle.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Shaq (pictured on the court with Vince Carter in 2006) got scolded by Carter\u2019s mother after he knocked him over in 1999. <span class=\"credit\">NBAE via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>The retired basketball player (pictured above with Carter and Reggie Miller at the 2017 NBA Awards) said Carter\u2019s mom scolded him at the time for hurting her \u201cbaby.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Kevin Mazur<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For instance, Shaq had a memorable incident of his own in 1999 when he blocked fellow NBA star Vince Carter from a dunk and knocked him over.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Off the court, Carter\u2019s mother was spotted scolding Shaq at the time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe said if I hurt her baby, she was gonna beat me up,\u201d he recalled to Page Six.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Flash forward to today, Shaq and Carter have reunited for \u201cDunkman,\u201d another show that Shaq is currently executive producing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Shaq (pictured at the \u201cDunkman\u201d competition on Sept. 17, 2025) said he \u201cunderstood\u201d Carter\u2019s mom scolding him.  <span class=\"credit\">TNT<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Page Six Daily\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWant more celebrity and pop culture news?\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with Page Six Daily.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>He told us that he didn\u2019t encounter Carter\u2019s mom again while they were making it, but joked that she \u201cmade a good point\u201d back in the day.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe didn\u2019t want me to hurt her baby. And I understood. I will never disrespect anybody\u2019s mom,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut Vince knew better than to try to dunk on me. I always told anybody that dunked on me, I\u2019m gonna have to lay them out!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Shaq (pictured above with Jalen Brunson at Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals) also spoke to Page Six about LeBron James\u2019 shocking exit from the Lakers franchise. <span class=\"credit\">NBAE via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>James (pictured at a May 11, 2026 game) shocked the world when he announced he was leaving the California-based team. \u201cGo where you can win,\u201d Shaq advised the star player. <span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Although Shaq has been retired for over a decade, his former teammate LeBron James is still going strong at 41. He recently <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/06\/30\/sports\/lebron-james-leaving-lakers-in-free-agency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shocked the sports world in June<\/a>\u00a0when he announced he was leaving the Lakers after eight seasons.<\/p>\n<p>When asked about where James should go, Shaq advised him to \u201cGo where you can win.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen it\u2019s over for us, it\u2019s over. You never want to sit back and say, \u2018I shoulda, I coulda, I woulda.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDunkman\u201d airs on TNT Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and streams on HBO Max.\u00a0\u201cGame Day Murders\u201d premieres on Monday, July 27, at 10 pm ET on ID, and streams on HBO Max.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shaquille O\u2019Neal may be a legend, but don\u2019t call him a \u201ccelebrity.\u201d While exclusively chatting with Page Six in a new interview, the Los Angeles Lakers legend explained why he considers himself \u201ca regular person\u201d and doesn\u2019t want to be placed \u201cin that category.\u201d \u201cExcuse my French, celebrities are a\u2013holes,\u201d O\u2019Neal, 54, said, telling us&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/pagesix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/07\/shaq-on-other-celebs.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14818"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14818\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}