Shaquille O’Neal, the larger-than-life NBA legend, has firmly put the brakes on a viral social media rumour suggesting he slid into the DMs of pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter. The 54-year-old basketball icon, known for his booming personality both on and off the court, addressed the outlandish speculation during a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq.
During the show, O’Neal presented a headline circulating online to his co-hosts, Jim Jones and Bailey Jackson, posing the question of whether they believed it. Jones read the offending headline aloud: “Shaq exposed for shooting his shot with Sabrina Carpenter.”
O’Neal then proceeded to read out the fabricated exchange, which was far from his usual smooth-talking persona. The supposed opening message attributed to Shaq was: “Damn, baby, I would keep your farts in a cologne bottle and spray it on me every day. Just jokes. I’m Shaq. What’s your name, baby?”
The alleged response from a fictional Carpenter was equally dismissive: “I know who you are. You’re way too famous to be sending me messages like that.”
The fabricated O’Neal then doubled down with a message that was both crude and nonsensical: “I can’t be horny and want some of that snow bunny kitty for myself. You’re being rude for no reason. You can’t handle Big Diesel anyway.”
Bailey Jackson, unimpressed, stated she “definitely did not believe” the messages were genuine. O’Neal acknowledged the spread of the rumour, noting that it had “went viral” despite its absurdity.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star was keen to set the record straight, asserting his own considerable “game.” “First of all, ladies, the Diesel got way more game than that. I’m just saying,” he declared, referencing his iconic NBA nickname, which he now also uses as a DJ. Jim Jones chimed in, agreeing that the opening line of the fake message was “crazy if that’s how you’re busting through people’s DMs.”
Representatives for Sabrina Carpenter have been contacted for comment on the matter.
Shaq’s History with Viral Rumours
This isn’t the first time Shaq has found himself having to debunk rumours about his personal life. Back in October, he publicly refuted claims that he was dating 21-year-old OnlyFans model Sophie Rain. The speculation gained traction after a photograph of them together at her birthday party circulated widely online.
O’Neal’s response to these claims was characteristically blunt and humorous. He commented on an Instagram video shared by TikTok star Noah Glenn Carter, who had speculated about the rumoured relationship. Shaq wrote, “I don’t [date] that young but I will date your mom and give u a brother.”
Further fuelling the narrative of Shaq being a target for baseless gossip, in December, he also had to deny reports linking him romantically with Monique Martin, the wife of one of his friends. This rumour arose after a picture of O’Neal and Martin together was posted.
He addressed this particular rumour directly in the comments section of an Instagram photo featuring him and Martin, accompanied by a headline about him “surprising another man’s” wife. O’Neal labelled the report as coming from a “broke and need money” blog, stating, “This is the reason yall always gonna be a broke blog. Thanks for making me more money though #dummies.”
Combating Clickbait and False Narratives
Shaquille O’Neal has been vocal about the “clickbait” nature of rumours that often surround his personal life. In an interview with People magazine in December, he expressed his frustration with how innocent interactions are twisted. He emphasised that he wouldn’t let such false narratives deter him from engaging with his fans and friends.
“When the false narrative comes out and you get another guy taking the picture and putting it on his page… it’s all clickbait,” he explained. “Listen, everybody wants their page to be famous, I understand it. You have to understand, you don’t go to people’s wives. That’s something you just don’t do.”
O’Neal’s stance highlights a broader issue of how social media can quickly spread misinformation, especially concerning public figures. His willingness to address these rumours head-on, often with his signature humour, serves to clarify the facts and remind the public that not everything they see online is true. The “Big Diesel” continues to navigate the digital landscape with a firm grip on reality, ensuring his legacy remains untarnished by fabricated stories.
