Natalie Nunn revealed on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday podcast that NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal bought her first car while she was still a college student. She specified that the gift came during her time at the University of Southern California, where Shaq was a prominent basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nunn clarified that despite the generous gift, they never dated. “Shaq bought me my first car,” she explained, adding, “I was at USC, he bought me… a brand new bug.” The vehicle she mentioned was a convertible Volkswagen New Beetle, reportedly from the year 2004.
When Cam Newton expressed surprise and hinted at a possible relationship, Nunn firmly stated, “No, I never dated Shaq.” Newton continued interrogating the story, joking about its unusual nature, but Nunn maintained her position, insisting the gesture was purely friendly. “I was a USC student athlete. He loved soccer. He used to come to the games,” she said.
Nunn’s comments highlight a unique connection between her and the basketball star, rooted in mutual support. Shaq, who played with the Lakers until 2004, reportedly attended Nunn’s soccer matches during her college years. She emphasized that Shaq remains a friend to this day.
The interaction on Funky Friday sheds light on Nunn’s early life before she gained fame through reality television shows such as Bad Girls Club and Love Games. Her revelation about receiving such a costly gift from a sports icon adds an intriguing dimension to her public persona.
Nunn’s statement also clarifies any misconceptions about a romantic link between her and Shaq. Instead, the gift appears to be a token of encouragement for her athletic endeavors in college, underscoring Shaq’s ongoing interest in supporting student athletes.
This story offers insight into the sometimes surprising personal connections that celebrities maintain outside of their public professional relationships. Shaquille O’Neal’s gesture came during a time when he was a major sports figure in Los Angeles, close to where Nunn was studying and competing athletically.
The full details of the conversation remain accessible on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday episode in which Nunn shared this anecdote. Her candidness invites renewed attention to her college years and the influences that shaped her path to reality TV stardom.
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