Shaq Says He Wants Nothing To Do with Celebrity Label: ‘Celebrities Are Crazy’
By Movieguide® Staff
Former NBA All-Star and basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal recently expressed his disgust with the connotation that comes with the label of “celebrity.”
O’Neal is no stranger to the spotlight, both on and off the court, but he wants people to remember him for his kindness, not his achievements.
“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,” O’Neal told The New York Post while advertising his new campaign through Kellogg’s cereal.
“I don’t want to be in that category. Celebrities are crazy, they really are. Don’t call me that anymore. These people are out of their freaking mind with how they treat people, what they do, what they say. That’s never been me. I never want to be looked at like that,” he added.
O’Neal can boast an impressive NBA resume, with four total championships, an MVP award, and 15 All-Star selections. However, O’Neal has used his platform to bless others through giveaways, charitable acts of kindness, and comedy.
Most recently, O’Neal helped provide funding for his favorite restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia, amid COVID-19.
“This is one of the best things you guys could have ever given us.”@SHAQ surprised one of his favorite Atlanta food spots “Restaurant 10” with $35K in Employee Relief Fund with @TheGeneralAuto 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ZyK6uX2zHN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2021
“All my life, everyone probably gets stereotyped, but us celebrities, we get stereotyped because most of these celebrities are out of their mind. I don’t do that. I’m a regular person that listened, followed his dreams and made it,” he said.
Despite his platform today, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft recounts his life of poverty before professional basketball.
“I came from nothing,” O’Neal said. “But, just because I made it doesn’t mean I’m bigger than you, 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 that way. So I don’t want to be in that category of people.
“When they talk about Shaq, what do you say? ‘He’s a nice guy.’ Because what else can you be? You’re either nice or you’re the A-word, and I definitely won’t be looked at as the A-word,” he added. “I want people to say, ‘Bro, he’s nice. He didn’t have an entourage. His people didn’t take my phone because I took a picture and threw it.'”
O’Neal’s new campaign with Kellogg also reflects his sentiment of wanting to help people. Through O’Neal’s new Frosted Flakes cereal, Kellogg’s Crispy Cinnamon Basketballs, he can helo students across the U.S. get involved in sports.
“It’s a dream come true,” O’Neal said. “Earlier this year Tony the Tiger and I teamed up to take Mission Tiger to a whole new level to help more kids, so we created this new cereal. And now, with this game-changing mission, we’re going to purchase new sports equipment, uniforms, pay for sports courts, refurbish playing fields and provide new training equipment.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
