Wat-Not Staff
In a recent podcast episode with WNBA star Angel Reese, Shaquille O’Neal opens up about his love life, predicting he will “end up alone” and expressing his frustration with relationship expectations.
Shaquille O’Neal Opens Up About Future Relationships
On October 24, Shaquille O’Neal joined Angel Reese on her podcast, Unapologetically Angel, where he made a surprising statement about his future. When asked if he would ever consider remarrying, O’Neal responded with a simple “Probably not” and added, “I’m gonna end up alone.”
The former NBA champion expressed doubts about finding lasting love, attributing his belief to his personality. “Nobody can understand me because I’m weird,” O’Neal shared, explaining that he feels misunderstood. Despite his status as a media personality and NBA Hall of Famer, he shared that life remains complicated, with rules and expectations changing over time.
O’Neal’s frank comments come nearly two decades after his divorce from Shaunie Henderson. Reflecting on his previous relationship, O’Neal admitted that his past actions, including infidelity, led to their separation.
O’Neal’s Frustrations with Modern Relationship Expectations
During their conversation, O’Neal expressed his frustrations with certain relationship norms. He explained that he often disagrees with what is labelled as “cheating” and shared his perspective on loyalty. “If I’m not physically seeing somebody… it shouldn’t matter what I’m doing on my phone,” he said, emphasizing that he values transparency in relationships.
While Reese, 22, encouraged O’Neal to remain hopeful, he explained that his “weird” personality makes relationships difficult. The conversation offered a glimpse into O’Neal’s evolving views on commitment, fidelity, and what he sees as societal expectations in relationships.
Reese, known for her straightforward personality, has often shared that she views O’Neal as a “father figure.” Her efforts to offer positive encouragement underscore their close bond. However, she shared a light-hearted moment, saying, “I hope you find a lovely woman.”
Podcast Appearance Draws Social Media Attention
O’Neal’s appearance on Unapologetically Angel has sparked social media commentary, especially for a specific moment when Reese seemed uncomfortable with his comments about her appearance. In a discussion on WNBA gameplay and style, O’Neal mentioned a recent outfit Reese wore at the Wild ‘N Out Live Tour’s Chicago event, jokingly imagining her “dunking in the same little shorts.”
The exchange quickly went viral, with Reese rolling her eyes and attempting to change the topic. Fans on social media responded, with one post on X (formerly known as Twitter) stating, “Angel Reese learned a painful lesson about men through Shaq in real time, I fear.” Others criticised O’Neal for his “father figure” comment, which some felt clashed with his jokes.
The incident has ignited debate on age-appropriate interactions and boundaries in the sports world. While O’Neal remains a respected figure in sports media, his recent podcast appearance highlights the complex dynamics of fame, friendship, and public image.
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