Shaquille O’Neal has built his legend on and off the basketball court with dominance, charisma, and an uncanny ability to stir conversation. On the It’s Giving podcast, the Hall of Famer added another viral moment to his collection when he broke down what he calls “the three types of cheaters.” In true Shaq fashion, he delivered it with a mix of humor, bluntness, and just enough real-world logic to make people stop and think.
“I think there are three types of cheaters: the serial cheater, the James Bond cheater, and then the guy that’s forced to cheat.”
“James Bond cheater is, I do everything right, I’m in Rui, I see a little thing, boom boom boom, nobody sees me, boom boom boom, I come back home to my normal life.”
“The guy that’s forced to cheat is, I’ve been on the road for a week, and I come here and you be like, ‘I can’t, I gotta do my podcast,’ that’s the first night. ‘I can’t, I gotta make up’ like, you just four or five days in a row, you’re not taking care of your man, and then he does what he does.”
“Then the serial cheater, the guy just do whatever.”
While his classification sparked both laughter and criticism online, it’s consistent with his reputation for speaking openly about topics most celebrities avoid. Shaq has often been candid about his own mistakes in past relationships, admitting in interviews that he has been unfaithful before and taking responsibility for it.
This latest comment, however, had a more observational tone, a taxonomy of cheating behaviors rather than a personal confession.
Part of Shaq’s no-filter approach comes from his upbringing and the influence of his mother, Lucille O’Neal. He has repeatedly stated and even caused controversy by admitting that he would always choose his mother over any romantic partner or even his own children. His reasoning is simple: his mother has never been wrong in her intuition about people, especially women he dates.
And then there’s his headline-grabbing love life. Earlier this year, comedian Jess Hilarious claimed she visited Shaq’s Atlanta home and saw “four white girlfriends,” each seemingly assigned to a different part of the house.
Shaq didn’t directly confirm or deny the story at the time, but recently, he half-jokingly referenced having “four white girls now” while discussing why he’s in no rush to get married again. Whether it was humor, truth, or a blend of both, the remark reignited the internet’s fascination with his relationships.
It’s worth noting that Shaquille O’Neal’s perspective comes from a life lived under a microscope. The four-time NBA champion, 15-time All-Star, and 2000 league MVP has been in the public eye for over three decades.
He’s transitioned from a dominant force on the court to a cultural icon, juggling roles as a TNT analyst, DJ, actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. With a net worth estimated at over $450 million, Shaq earns an estimated $60 million annually through endorsements, business ventures, and media work, a level of financial freedom that allows him to speak without fear of losing career opportunities.
For many fans, Shaq’s unfiltered honesty is part of his enduring appeal. In a media world where most public figures stick to polished, risk-free answers, he remains refreshingly direct, whether he’s discussing basketball, relationships, or life lessons.
Whether people agree with his “three types of cheaters” framework or not, it’s yet another example of how Shaquille O’Neal can turn a casual podcast appearance into a headline-worthy moment.
In the end, Shaq’s breakdown wasn’t meant to be a moral guide, it was storytelling with a dash of raw truth, served in his trademark larger-than-life style. And, as always, the Diesel knows how to keep everyone talking.
