'I denounce my celebrity-ness': Shaquille O'Neal bluntly destroys fame culture with unfiltered take on ego, money, and status
Image via David L. Nemec /Getty Images
Shaquille O'Neal has never fit into a box, and he's making sure no one tries to put him in one now. The four-time NBA champion and longtime Inside the NBA mainstay has made it clear he wants nothing to do with the 'celebrity' tag, even as his post-playing career has made him one of the most recognizable figures in sports media.
As the beloved TNT show closes a defining chapter, O'Neal is now gearing up for a new era—one he says won't pull any punches.
Shaquille O'Neal turns down the celebrity label to stay true to his roots
Shaquille O'Neal
has built an empire through dominance, charisma, and candor but don't call him a celebrity. In a statement originally made during a 2021 interview with the New York Post, O'Neal didn't mince words when rejecting the label that's often attached to athletes of his stature.
'These celebrities are going freaking crazy and I don't want to be one.
I denounce my celebrity-ness today. I'm done with it,' he declared.
Shaq explained his position further, calling out what he sees as detachment and ego among those in the public eye.
'I don't want to be in that category. Celebrities are crazy, they really are. Don't call me that anymore,' he said. 'These people are out of their freaking mind with how they treat people, what they do, what they say. That's never been me.'
For the Hall of Famer, humility has always been the foundation.
'I came from nothing. Just because I made it doesn't mean I'm bigger than you or smarter than you… just because I have more money doesn't mean I'm better than you. I've never been that way and I never will be.'
As Inside the NBA ends, Shaquille O'Neal sets his sights on the next takeover
As TNT's era with the NBA comes to a close, so does a legendary run for Inside the NBA, a show as beloved for its basketball analysis as its chemistry and chaos. Shaq, who was part of the on-air team with
Ernie Johnson
,
Kenny Smith
, and
Charles Barkley
, made it clear that wherever they go next, they're coming in with force.
'To that new network we're coming to—we ain't coming to F*** around,' Shaq declared on air. 'We're kicking a**, we're taking names, and we're taking over.'
While ESPN prepares to welcome the iconic crew, O'Neal's words are a warning and a promise.
'I love you guys and I appreciate you guys, but hey we're coming to take over that next network, too.'
Longtime host Ernie Johnson shared heartfelt reflections on the team's journey: 'If I had written the script, the NBA and TNT would have been together forever… Gratitude is the operative word for me.'
Also Read:
Shaquille O'Neal reveals why he got rid of his two Tesla Cybertrucks, says he treats his cars like his 'girlfriends'
Shaquille O'Neal's journey has always defied convention—from his dominance on the hardwood to his bold, unfiltered voice in sports media. As he closes one chapter and steps into the next, he's sticking to the values that made him a fan favorite: authenticity, humility, and a refusal to chase empty fame. Celebrity? Not interested. Spotlight? Only if it stands for something real.
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