Shaquille O’Neal reveals why he thinks ‘celebrities are a–holes’
Shaquille O’Neal reveals why he thinks ‘celebrities are a–holes’
Lauren Sarner Thu, July 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM UTC
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Shaquille O'Neal.
Shaquille O’Neal may be a legend, but don’t call him a “celebrity.”
While exclusively chatting with Page Six in a new interview, the Los Angeles Lakers legend explained why he considers himself “a regular person” and doesn’t want to be placed “in that category.”
“Excuse my French, celebrities are a–holes,” O’Neal, 54, said, telling us that he thinks they’re “weird, rude and obnoxious.”
Shaquille O’Neal (pictured earlier this month at Fanatics Fest 2026 in New York City) exclusively told Page Six in a new interview that he finds celebrities “weird, rude and obnoxious.” Getty Images for Fanatics
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 “regular” person. NBAE via Getty Images
While O’Neal — aka Shaq — may not consider himself an A-lister, he’s certainly a household name.
After retiring from the NBA in 2011 following 19 seasons with the league, the basketball MVP has done everything from branching out into music to hosting star-studded Super Bowl events, analyzing sports on “Inside the NBA” and plenty more.
His latest project? Executive producing a new true crime series titled “Game Day Murders.”
“I’ve been a sports guy, I’ve been a true crime guy, and finally, we’re going to merge the two together,” Shaq, a self-proclaimed “true crime junkie,” exclusively told Page Six. “[I like it because] everybody has that detective in them.”
Shaq spoke to Page Six to promote a new true crime series he’s executive producing, titled “Game Day Murders” (promo pic seen above). ID
The athlete (pictured above at the “Dunkman” competition last September) called himself a “true crime junkie” and said that everybody has “that detective in them.” TNT
Shaq told us that when he watches one of the “Rocky” movies, for example, “I know he may lose … and if he does lose, he’s gonna go through this crazy comeback, and he’s going to win the last fight.”
On the other hand, when he watches true crime, “You don’t know what’s gonna happen.”
The athlete told us his “Game Day Murders” project is centered around crime in the world of sports, at both the collegiate and professional level.
Shaq (pictured above at Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals in June) said he doesn’t want to “sensationalize” the victims in his true crime show. NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers legend (pictured above at “Inside the NBA” in December 2024) said he approached true crime with “respect.” TNT
Shaq clarified to Page Six that the show is not trying to “sensationalize” the victims or tragedies in any way, but wants to approach the stories with “respect.”
“Our goal was to honor the legacy of those who lost their lives,” he said, and to show viewers “how we all could band together in tough times.”
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Shaq noted that some of the biggest stories in sports aren’t just “what happened on the field or the court,” but what can happen “after the final whistle.”
Shaq (pictured on the court with Vince Carter in 2006) got scolded by Carter’s mother after he knocked him over in 1999. NBAE via Getty Images
The retired basketball player (pictured above with Carter and Reggie Miller at the 2017 NBA Awards) said Carter’s mom scolded him at the time for hurting her “baby.” Kevin Mazur
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.
Off the court, Carter’s mother was spotted scolding Shaq at the time.
“She said if I hurt her baby, she was gonna beat me up,” he recalled to Page Six.
Flash forward to today, and Shaq and Carter have reunited for “Dunkman,” another show that Shaq is currently executive producing.
Shaq (pictured at the “Dunkman” competition on Sept. 17, 2025) said he “understood” Carter’s mom scolding him. TNT
He told us that he didn’t encounter Carter’s mom again while they were making it, but joked that she “made a good point” back in the day.
“She didn’t want me to hurt her baby. And I understood. I will never disrespect anybody’s mom,” he explained.
“But Vince knew better than to try to dunk on me. I always told anybody that dunked on me, I’m gonna have to lay them out!”
Shaq (pictured above with Jalen Brunson at Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals) also spoke to Page Six about LeBron James’ shocking exit from the Lakers franchise. NBAE via Getty Images
James (pictured at a May 11, 2026, game) shocked the world when he announced he was leaving the California-based team. “Go where you can win,” Shaq advised the star player. Getty Images
Although Shaq has been retired for over a decade, his former teammate LeBron James is still going strong at 41. He recently shocked the sports world in June when he announced he was leaving the Lakers after eight seasons.
When asked about where James should go, Shaq’s advice was, “Go where you can win.
“When it’s over for us, it’s over. You never want to sit back and say, ‘I shoulda, I coulda, I woulda,’ ” he said.
“Dunkman” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, and streams on HBO Max. “Game Day Murders” premieres on Monday, July 27, at 10 p.m. ET on ID, and streams on HBO Max.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
