Shaquille O'Neal's ex-wife Shaunie Henderson faces backlash over 'taken out of context' claim from memoir
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Shaquille O'Neal's ex-wife, Shaunie Henderson, is in the spotlight after a quote from her recent memoir stirred up controversy, as reported by The Daily Mail.
In her book, titled 'UNDEFEATED: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms', released just this Tuesday, Henderson raised questions about her feelings toward O'Neal during their marriage and accused him of being absent.
Shaquille O'Neal's ex-wife clarifies controversial quote from memoir
However, in a recent interview with PEOPLE, Henderson clarified that the quote questioning whether she was truly in love with O'Neal was taken out of context. She emphasized that her book represents her truth and urged readers to consider the full context of her words.
Henderson expressed her frustration, stating, "My book is my truth, and when I was talking to my friend yesterday, I was like, developing an opinion and a comment from content with no context will show you a lot of people's intelligence and unintelligence, right? There was no context to just that one quote that I said, and I think that sadly, people are taking my words out of context."
She stressed that her character speaks for itself since her divorce from O'Neal, highlighting her focus on integrity rather than mere words.
"I'm not a word girl. I'm a character girl, and since I've left the marriage of Shaquille, my character has spoken for itself," she added.
O'Neal, on the other hand, responded cryptically on social media, acknowledging the situation with a message on Instagram. He wrote in capital letters, "I understand... I wouldn't have been in love with me either. Wishing you all the best... All Love, Shaq." His caption, "Trust me I get it," hinted at his perspective on the matter.
Fans rallied behind O'Neal, offering their support and expressing disappointment in Henderson's public remarks.
While Henderson seemingly placed some responsibility on O'Neal for the controversy, she maintained that her book reflects her truth and legacy. This recent episode reignited interest in their past, including O'Neal's admission in his 2011 memoir, 'Shaq Uncut: My Story', where he acknowledged his own shortcomings in their marriage.
The divorce, initiated by O'Neal in 2007, followed a period of reflection on his part, where he admitted to failing to uphold his vows and protect Henderson.
Internet reacts to Henderson's clarification
Henderson's clarification has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. While some expressed sympathy for O'Neal, others criticized Henderson's actions and motives.
One user speculated, "Married him for his fame and fortune." Another echoed this sentiment, commenting, "Poor Shaq. He's not perfect but he very much tried to always do his best. She's just riding his coattails which is embarrassing and cringe-inducing."
However, not all comments were sympathetic toward O'Neal. One user leveled harsh criticism, stating, "Not a nice dude. Always been self-absorbed, lazy, and buffoonish. Glad he’s finally being unmasked. More to come."
Amidst the varied reactions, questions were raised about the relevance and appeal of Henderson's memoir. "Why would anyone buy her book?" one user pondered.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
