Celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 13:21 27 Mar 2026 GMT
Shaquille O'Neal forced to address rumors he sent disgusting DMs to Sabrina Carpenter
Shaquille O'Neal has spoken out after a bizarre viral rumor claimed he sent explicit direct messages to Sabrina Carpenter. The story quickly spread online, fueled by screenshots that appeared to show a fake exchange between the two.
The NBA icon addressed the situation directly on his podcast, making it clear he was not behind the messages. Speaking on The Big Podcast with Shaq, he brought up the headline himself and asked his guests to weigh in on whether they believed it.
The rumor centered on an alleged DM thread that included crude and strange messages supposedly sent from O'Neal to the Grammy-winning singer. But as the clip circulated, O'Neal wasted no time setting the record straight.
Shaq reads out viral messages on his podcast
During the episode, O'Neal had guests Jim Jones and Bailey Jackson read the headline aloud: "Shaq exposed for shooting his shot at Sabrina Carpenter."
He then read through the messages himself, saying, "I want you to tell me if it's me or not me."
One message attributed to him read, "Damn, baby I would keep your farts in a cologne bottle and spray it on me every day... Just jokes.'"
Jones reacted immediately, saying, "That's crazy."
O'Neal continued reading another line: "'I'm Shaqs. What's your name baby?'"
The fake exchange included a reply from someone posing as Carpenter, who wrote, "I know who you are. You're way too famous to be sending me messages like that."
The supposed response from "Shaq" escalated further, stating, "I can't be horny and want some of that snow bunny kitty for myself. You're being rude for no reason. You can't handle Big Diesel any way."
He shuts down the rumor with one blunt response
After reading the messages aloud, O'Neal confirmed just how far the story had spread, telling listeners, "That went viral."
Jackson pointed out that the screenshots appeared manipulated, including a photoshopped image designed to make it look like O'Neal sent the messages.
O'Neal dismissed the claims outright, joking, "First of all, ladies, the Diesel got way more game than that."
Jones backed him up, adding, "I was about to say - the first line was crazy if that's how you're busting through people's DMs."
Not the first time Shaq has faced dating rumors
This is not the first time O'Neal has had to respond to speculation about his personal life. The former player, who shares four children with ex-wife Shaunie Henderson, previously denied rumors linking him to OnlyFans model Sophie Rain.
Responding to one claim online, he wrote, “I don’t [date] that young but I will date your mom and give u a brother,” in the comments of a TikTok post.
In another instance, a photo with a friend's wife sparked fresh speculation after being taken out of context. Addressing that situation, O'Neal told PEOPLE, "My favorite thing is always saying, 'image is reality.'"
He continued, "nothing is going to stop me from taking pictures" with friends or fans, but when "the false narrative comes out and you get another guy taking the picture and putting it on his page… It's all clickbait."