Shaquille O'Neal reveals why celebrities are 'a-holes'
Shaquille O'Neal reveals why he rejects the celebrity label, telling Page Six that "celebrities are a–holes" — calling them "weird, rude and obnoxious" — while insisting he is "a regular person." The NBA legend spoke exclusively while promoting his new true crime series "Game Day Murders," premiering July 27 on ID.
Key Takeaways
- Shaq, 54, told Page Six celebrities are "weird, rude and obnoxious" and said he sees himself as "a regular person."
- The Lakers legend is executive producing the true crime series "Game Day Murders," which premieres Monday, July 27, at 10 p.m. ET on ID and streams on HBO Max.
- He said the show merges sports and true crime and aims to honor victims' legacies without sensationalizing tragedies.
- Shaq also reminisced about Vince Carter's mom scolding him after a 1999 on-court collision and advised LeBron James to "go where you can win."
What did Shaquille O'Neal say about celebrities?
In an exclusive interview with Page Six, the former NBA star made clear he does not want to be placed "in that category" of celebrity.
"Excuse my French, celebrities are a–holes," O'Neal said, adding that he finds them "weird, rude and obnoxious." Despite being a household name, he stressed that he considers himself a regular person — a stance that stands out in celebrity breaking news coverage.
Why is Shaq talking about this now?
O'Neal spoke while promoting "Game Day Murders," a new true crime series he is executive producing. After retiring from the NBA in 2011 following 19 seasons, he has moved into music, Super Bowl hosting, and analysis on "Inside the NBA."
Calling himself a "true crime junkie," Shaq said the project finally merges his sports and true crime interests. "[I like it because] everybody has that detective in them," he told Page Six.
He contrasted formulaic movies like "Rocky," where he can predict the comeback ending, with true crime, where "you don't know what's gonna happen." The series focuses on crime in collegiate and professional sports — stories that unfold "after the final whistle," not only on the field or court.
Shaq said the goal is not to "sensationalize" victims or tragedies but to approach the stories with "respect," honor "the legacy of those who lost their lives," and show "how we all could band together in tough times."
What else did Shaq discuss in the interview?
He recalled a 1999 incident when he blocked Vince Carter on a dunk and knocked him over. Carter's mother scolded Shaq, warning she would "beat me up" if he hurt her "baby." Shaq said he understood and "will never disrespect anybody's mom," joking that Carter "knew better than to try to dunk on me."
The pair have reunited for "Dunkman," another show Shaq is executive producing. It airs on TNT Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and streams on HBO Max. He also weighed in on LeBron James leaving the Lakers after eight seasons, advising the 41-year-old star: "Go where you can win," and warning against "I shoulda, I coulda, I woulda" regrets.