Shaquille O’Neal, the legendary NBA star and media personality, has found himself at the center of a social media frenzy following a viral photo that many assumed depicted him with a new romantic interest. The image, which quickly circulated online, led to a wave of speculation about Shaq’s relationship status, prompting him to step in and clarify the situation.
What sparked the controversy?
On Sept. 17, a photo was reposted by Worldstar that originated from a woman on Instagram with the handle @_1.filly. In the image, the woman posed in front of a mirror, dressed in a tan shirt and jeans, with a muscular man standing behind her, his face obscured. The caption read, “Unapologetically us,” leaving many to wonder about the identity of the man in the photo.
Worldstar’s repost included a comment that suggested O’Neal might have a new girlfriend, igniting a flurry of reactions across social media platforms. Within hours, Shaq himself responded directly in the comments, stating, “Nope not the kid,” effectively denying any romantic involvement.
Shaq’s humorous response
Following his denial, O’Neal took to his own Instagram account to share a light-hearted reel featuring him with various women, humorously captioning it, “Is this my girlfriend too? Trust me, I’ll let y’all know who my woman is, and by the way, my woman’s name is Shaqirah.” This playful response seemed to further fuel the conversation, as fans and followers continued to speculate.
The woman’s reaction
In a twist, the woman involved in the photo later posted a series of now-deleted videos and images that appeared to show moments she shared with O’Neal. These included clips of her in his hotel room and him seemingly asleep on a couch, as well as footage of him performing in front of a large audience. This revelation added another layer to the unfolding drama, as many questioned the nature of their relationship.
Social media’s take
The online community had plenty to say about the situation. Comments ranged from skepticism about the woman’s claims to advice for her regarding O’Neal lack of public acknowledgment.
One user remarked, “What’s the point of showing/claiming a man who doesn’t want to be claimed or showed?” while another added, “Listen to what Shaq said ladies. He said I’ll let ‘y’all know who my woman is. Translation: Ma’am. If he doesn’t claim you – you ain’t his woman.”
Interestingly, O’Neal’s ex-girlfriend, Moniece Slaughter, also chimed in, suggesting that the feet in the photo belonged to Shaq, citing their matching tattoos as evidence. Her comment added fuel to the fire, as fans speculated about the authenticity of the woman’s claims.
The whirlwind surrounding O’Neal and the viral photo serves as a reminder of how quickly rumors can spread in the age of social media. While O’Neal has made it clear that he is not in a new relationship, the incident has sparked discussions about dating dynamics, public personas, and the importance of clear communication in relationships.
