Reality television star Natalie Nunn recently made headlines during an appearance on Cam Newton’s “Funky Friday” podcast by revealing that basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal gifted her a Mercedes convertible when she was a student at the University of Southern California. Nunn, who gained fame as a cast member on “Bad Girls Club,” noted that the lavish gift was presented while she was attending USC between 2003 and 2004, and she emphasized that their relationship was purely platonic.
According to Nunn, O’Neal purchased her first car, valued at $21,000, as a supportive gesture, encouraging her both academically and athletically, especially as she competed in track and field for the Trojans. However, former NFL quarterback Cam Newton seemed skeptical about the nature of Nunn’s relationship with O’Neal. During the podcast episode, he questioned whether there was a romantic link, prompting Nunn to clarify that there was none. Despite her insistence, Newton expressed doubt, describing her account as “messy” and suggesting that the situation seemed unusual.
This anecdote comes at a time when O’Neal, who was with the Los Angeles Lakers during the early 2000s and was married to Shaunie O’Neal until their divorce in 2011, is known for his philanthropic efforts and supportive nature toward young individuals. The conversation quickly gained traction on social media, amassing over 1.4 million views, with audiences sharing a mix of amusement and intrigue regarding the implications of Nunn’s story.
Nunn has since continued her career in reality television and other business endeavors, while O’Neal, now 53 and a Hall of Famer, has yet to respond publicly to this recent revelation. The lighthearted nature of the exchange illustrates the complex dynamics often found in celebrity relationships, offering a glimpse into their lives away from the public eye.