Shaquille O'Neal opens up about avoiding label 'celebrity' and choosing authenticity over being 'bigger' person
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Shaquille O'Neal refuses to embrace the label of a "celebrity" despite achieving a level of notoriety where he is simply known as Shaq.
"You know why I had to denounce myself from being a celebrity about six, seven years ago? Celebrities are a******e. They just are. I never want to be in that category," the former basketball player told People.
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Shaquille O'Neal says celebrity status gives people the 'right to think they're smarter'
O'Neal explained that "a lot of these people, when they come to a certain status, it automatically gives them the right to think they're smarter than you, they're better than you, they’re bigger than you, and I never wanted to be like that."
Known for his celebrated basketball career, the towering figure who is currently a sports analyst acknowledges his fame but emphasizes that he does not travel with an entourage and refrains from flaunting his wealth or jewelry.
Shaquille O'Neal credits his mom who influenced him to become a down-to-earth person
The NBA Hall of Famer spoke about his grounded attitude can be attributed to the influence of his mother Lucille O’Neal.
"I don't want to be the guy,” he said, adding, "I did it one time and my mother was pissed. She used words I haven't heard her use in a long time."
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O'Neal recalled the time his mother visited his house and made him watch footage of the moment she found him objectionable.
"She's like, ‘How do you think that look?’ I was like, 'That looks stupid,'” he said without pointing out the exact moment.
"She said, ‘That's not necessary, baby. You don't need to do all that stuff,'" he added.
Since that eye-opening experience, O'Neal prides himself on not embracing his celebrity status.
Engaging in random acts of kindness, such as randomly buying bikes or computers for children and playing pickup basketball games, the NBA legend maintains a genuine connection with his fans.
He was seen walking around the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix venue while hosting a party and O'Neil was also seen mingling with partygoers.
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As Super Bowl weekend approaches, he is gearing up for his annual Shaq’s Fun House party at Wynn Las Vegas’ XS nightclub as he plans to avoid confining himself to the VIP area.
"I have to do regular people's stuff because I'm a regular person,” said O'Neal.
"I ain’t got no security. I ain't got no entourage. I'm just a guy that played in the NBA," he added.
