Shaq Addresses Rumor He Sent Sabrina Carpenter “Horny” DMs

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Shaquille O’Neal is asking fans to please, please, please stop falling for rumors.

After rumors spread online that NBA great Shaquille O’Neal messaged singer Sabrina Carpenter, he quickly denied trying to start a romantic relationship with her, dismissing the claims as untrue.

Shaq stated on his podcast, The Big Podcast, on March 20th, that Diesel is a much better player. He simply added, “I’m just saying.”

The 54-year-old did, however, take the time to laugh as he read the alleged DMs aloud.

He read aloud the fabricated texts, saying, “Wow, I’d even bottle your farts and wear them as cologne! Just kidding, it’s Shaq. What’s your name?” Sabrina responded, letting him know she recognized him and that someone as famous as he shouldn’t be sending messages like that.

The made-up message depicted Shaq writing to the singer, expressing crude and aggressive sexual interest and boasting about his physical prowess, implying she wouldn’t be able to handle him and suggesting he could harm her.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen a lot, and recently, I was discussing a situation with a basketball star who’s also a busy dad. He has six amazing kids – Taahirah, Myles, Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me’arah – from different relationships. When some fabricated messages started circulating, he explained it away as typical behavior from today’s younger generation, who are really focused on social media, getting views, and going viral. It’s a reminder that things are different now, and what motivates people has shifted!

But it’s not the first time Shaq has addressed rumors about his dating life. 

Last October, he denied rumors of a romantic relationship with 21-year-old OnlyFans creator Sophie Rain, following reports they were seen together at a Las Vegas nightclub.

Shaq jokingly commented on a video about their age gap, saying he wouldn’t date someone so young, but he’d happily date the person’s mother and ‘give [them] a brother.’

The former Los Angeles Lakers player shared in a now-deleted comment that Sophie showed up at the party where he was DJing at Encore Beach Club.

He added, “Stop tryna create rumors.”

Shaquille O’Neal might not be dating younger women, but other celebrities have had relationships with significant age differences. Here’s what some of them have shared about those relationships.

The actresses are used to people commenting on their 32-year age difference. Sarah addressed the criticism in a 2018 interview with Modern Luxury, saying she doesn’t worry about it. “If anyone chooses to judge me for loving a wonderful person, that’s their issue, not mine,” she explained. “I’m happy.”

Okay, so everyone was obsessed with the age difference between me and Tom, my amazing guitarist boyfriend from Tokio Hotel! Like, constantly asking about it. I actually talked about it with InStyle back in 2018, and honestly, it’s the only time age even crosses my mind – when people point it out! I mean, we were so happy, and I wasn’t going to let anyone ruin that. I just decided to live my life exactly how I wanted, and honestly, that’s the best advice ever. Seriously, worrying about what others think just gives you wrinkles, and who needs those when you’re living your best life? We got married the next year, and it was perfect!

Priyanka Chopra has pointed out what she sees as a double standard. She observed that people criticize the age gap between her and her husband, but wouldn’t react the same way if the roles were reversed. “People had a lot to say about that, and still do,” she told InStyle magazine. “It’s interesting because when it’s the man who’s older, nobody seems to mind—in fact, they often approve.”

The director of Fifty Shades of Grey says the 23-year age difference between her and her partner, the actor who will play Kraven the Hunter, isn’t something they think about in their daily lives.

“It really doesn’t come up,” she explained in a 2024 interview with The Guardian. “It’s only discussed when people ask about it, or by those who don’t know us. We’re a bit unusual, but after 14 years together, you’d think it wouldn’t matter anymore.”

She even noted that her current relationship has lasted longer than her marriage to her ex-husband, Jay Jopling, who was only four years older than her.

“When you look at it that way,” she added, “the age gap doesn’t seem to be an issue at all.”

Despite sharing a birthday on September 25th, the couple experiences typical relationship challenges. The actress, known for her role in Chicago, revealed in a 2021 interview with WSJ. Magazine that her husband is 25 years her senior. She emphasized that, like any relationship, they have their moments, but love and respect remain constant.

Dennis, known from The Parent Trap, believes that only he and his partner should be concerned with their relationship. He emphasizes it’s about them and no one else.

Despite the attention their 39-year age difference receives, Dennis says he and Laura aren’t bothered by it.

In a 2021 interview with Today, he explained they’ve never connected with anyone better. He described their relationship as wonderful, stating that love will always find a way, regardless of circumstance. He added that you can’t predict who you’ll fall in love with, and they are incredibly happy together.

The yoga instructor recently shared that she used to be critical of couples with large age differences, before she began dating an actor 26 years older than herself.

On her podcast, Witches Anonymous, she explained that she’d previously assume older men in those relationships were looking for naive young women, and younger women were only interested in the man’s money.

However, she now realizes she was wrong.

She admitted that being in this relationship herself has changed her perspective, making her question why she used to be so judgmental. She now understands that love comes in many forms, and just because a relationship looks different from what someone expects, doesn’t make it any less real or valid.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! Apparently, Adrian Grenier – Andy from The Devil Wears Prada! – almost broke up with his wife, Andrea, when they first started dating! He was so worried about the age gap – he’s 21 years older than her! He actually said he didn’t want to feel old for the rest of his life! Can you imagine?! But thankfully, he realized she was just… amazing. He told this on the radio in 2023, and it’s just SO sweet to know they fought through that because they’re perfect together!

Sienna Miller and Oli Green aren’t surprised people find their relationship a bit confusing. Oli explained to Vogue that their 15-year age difference might be hard for some to understand, but he insists their connection has been full of love and happiness. Sienna added that, honestly, they don’t feel like they need anyone else’s understanding. She believes matters of the heart can’t be forced or explained, and she’s never been able to make sense of them herself.

Jeff Goldblum shared a funny story about his wife, Emilie, who is 30 years younger than him. He told Hoda Kotb that he asked Emilie which Beatle he’d be, and she playfully responded with ‘Rex Harrison,’ the star of My Fair Lady – a movie they’d recently seen. Jeff quickly pointed out her mistake, and she soon realized she meant George Harrison. He joked that this kind of mix-up highlights their age difference, but overall, life together is going wonderfully.

Honestly, I really admire how she handles the negativity surrounding her relationship with the actor, especially the comments about their age difference. She doesn’t feel the need to rush and defend it, and I think that’s powerful. She once told Glamour that she’s drawn to his wisdom and strength, things that often come with experience. For her, it’s all about a deep connection that transcends age. She says careers can be fleeting, but having someone who genuinely believes in you at home is what truly sustains you, and I totally get that. It’s just so refreshing to see a couple prioritize that kind of support.

Katharine McPhee isn’t paying attention to criticism about the 35-year age difference between her and her husband. “I understand people judged it at first, but things aren’t always what they seem,” she shared on the Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy Podcast in 2023. “I’m just really happy in our relationship, and that’s what’s important.”

Kristin Cavallari addressed the criticism she received over the 13-year age difference with her ex-boyfriend, Mark Estes. On her podcast, Let’s Be Honest, she explained in March 2024 that dating someone 13 years younger wasn’t something she actively sought out, and she previously considered 30-year-olds too young for her. While acknowledging how the relationship appeared to others, she emphasized that Mark wasn’t typical for his age and that maturity isn’t solely determined by birth year. She believes age is just a number and that life experiences and upbringing are more important factors in determining someone’s maturity. However, she later revealed that she and Mark eventually broke up.

She explained on her podcast that she believes he needs to grow and experience life on his own. She feels those young adult years are incredibly important for self-discovery, recalling how much she changed between 24 and now. Despite the breakup, she considers their relationship the best she’s ever had and hopes he’ll eventually see it was the right decision. She even believes he’ll one day understand and appreciate what she did.

When George Clooney first developed feelings for Amal, he wasn’t sure if she felt the same way. He admitted on The Howard Stern Show that he hesitated to pursue things too quickly. He worried about the age difference – he’s 17 years older than her – and wondered if she’d see him as too old. Luckily, Amal felt the same way, and the couple married in 2014.

The former Bachelor star isn’t concerned about the age difference between him and his wife – he’s 18 years older. He recently shared on his The Viall Files podcast in March 2025 that physical attraction is important when there’s a significant age gap.

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2026-03-26 05:48