Shaq Says Celebrities Are "A-Holes"—And He's Got a Point About Staying Real

Shaquille O’Neal isn’t pulling punches anymore. In a recent interview with Page Six, the basketball legend made it clear that he doesn’t identify with celebrity culture, describing most celebrities as“weird, rude and obnoxious.”At 54, Shaq’s already proven you can reach the highest levels of success without buying into the typical celebrity playbook. Instead of chasing the spotlight for its own sake, he’s channeling his energy into projects that actually mean something. That shift in mindset matters, especially when it’s coming from someone with his level of influence.

Right now, Shaq’s got his hands full with two television projects that showcase his real passions.“Game Day Murders”launches Sunday on Investigation Discovery, diving into crimes that happened in the sports world at both collegiate and professional levels. Working on a true crime series might seem like an odd fit for a sports guy, but Shaq’s always been genuine about his interests, and he loves true crime storytelling. The difference with this show is the approach: Shaq emphasized that the goal is to honor the victims and their families, not to sensationalize tragedy for ratings. That’s the kind of integrity missing from a lot of true crime content.

Then there’s“Dunkman”on TNT with Vince Carter, airing Tuesdays. Two former rivals are collaborating in a way that feels genuine rather than forced. It speaks to Shaq’s ability to grow as a person and let go of old beef. The question for you: Are you more likely to tune in to projects created by celebrities who seem grounded and real, or do you think celebrity involvement automatically means it’s just another cash grab?