Reality television personality Natalie Nunn disclosed during a podcast appearance that NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal purchased her first car while she was a student at the University of Southern California, prompting former NFL quarterback Cam Newton to express doubt about the platonic nature of their relationship.
The revelation came on Newton’s “Funky Friday” podcast, released Friday, where Nunn, 41, known for her role on “Bad Girls Club,” recounted the gift.
“Shaq bought me my first car,” Nunn said, specifying it was a $21,000 Mercedes convertible during her time at USC around 2003 or 2004. She emphasized that the gesture was non-romantic, describing O’Neal as a supportive figure who encouraged her academics and athletics — Nunn was a track and field athlete for the Trojans.
Cam Newton knew something was OFF when reality star Natalie Nunn said Shaq bought her first car while she was still in college ðŸ˜ðŸ’€ðŸ‘€ pic.twitter.com/VUbo7hHgrn
— Killa 🌺 (@KillaKreww) December 27, 2025
Newton, 36, appeared unconvinced, pressing Nunn on the details. “You dated Shaq?” he asked, according to clips from the episode. When Nunn denied any romantic involvement, Newton responded with visible skepticism, saying the scenario didn’t add up and calling her story “messy.”
O’Neal, then with the Los Angeles Lakers, was married to Shaunie O’Neal at the time; the couple divorced in 2011.
The exchange went viral after a clip was posted on X by user @KillaKreww on Saturday, garnering over 1.4 million views. Social media reactions ranged from amusement to speculation, with users questioning the innocence of the gift and referencing O’Neal’s philanthropy.
Nunn, who has since built a career in reality TV and business ventures, did not elaborate further on the podcast. O’Neal, 53, a four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, has not publicly commented on the anecdote.
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