Shaquille O’Neal has responded humorously to rumors sparked by a viral photo suggesting he has a new girlfriend. The image, shared by influencer Maria Ozuna Teachey, showed a tall man hugging her from behind, with his head cropped out of the frame. Fans quickly speculated that the large hands in the photo belonged to the seven-foot-one NBA legend, leading to widespread speculation on social media.
Shaq, known for his playful personality, denied being the man in the photo by commenting, “Nope not the kid,” on a WorldStar Instagram post featuring the image. He then took the joke further, posting a video on his own Instagram account with five different women and humorously stating, “Is this my girlfriend too, trust me I’ll let y’all know who my woman is, and by the way my woman’s name is Shaqirah.”
The influencer has since deleted the photo from her Instagram, though it remains visible on her Facebook page. Shaq has kept his dating life private since his divorce from Shaunie Henderson in 2011, with whom he shares five children. Despite occasional rumors about his romantic life, Shaq has not confirmed any relationships publicly.
The incident highlights Shaq’s light-hearted approach to rumors and social media speculation, using humor to diffuse the situation and entertain his followers. As of now, Shaq remains focused on his various business ventures and television appearances, maintaining his reputation as one of the most beloved figures in sports and entertainment.
