- Cam Newton voiced skepticism after reality star Natalie Nunn said Shaquille O’Neal bought her first car while she attended USC.
- Nunn told the story on Newton’s Funky Friday Podcast, saying the gift was a 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle worth about $21,000.
- Newton asked if Nunn had dated Shaq; she denied a romantic relationship and said the purchase was a generous gesture.
- The exchange revived talk of Shaq’s past generosity to athletes and public figures.
H2: How the story came out
Natalie Nunn recounted the anecdote on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday Podcast, describing how Shaquille O’Neal once bought her a first car. Nunn said the vehicle was a 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle — a convertible — and estimated the cost at roughly $21,000.
H3: Cam Newton’s immediate reaction
When Nunn revealed Shaq was the donor, Newton’s expression changed and he asked directly, “You dated Shaq?” Nunn quickly denied any romantic involvement. Newton replied, “Something isn’t adding up,” showing clear skepticism about why a superstar would buy a college student such an expensive gift.
H3: Nunn’s version of events
Nunn explained the timing: she was a student at the University of Southern California and played on the women’s soccer team in 2004. She said Shaq bought the car while he was a Laker, which would have put the gift during the period he spent time in Los Angeles. Nunn insisted she never dated O’Neal and framed the car as an act of generosity rather than a token of romance.
H2: Context — Shaq’s history of generosity
The incident highlighted Shaq’s history of giving to athletes and people close to him. The conversation referenced other recent examples of Shaq helping student-athletes with transportation needs, painting a picture of a celebrity known for large, public acts of generosity.
H3: Why the exchange sparked reaction
Newton’s skepticism reflects wider curiosity about celebrity gifts and the relationships behind them. A high-profile athlete buying an expensive car for a college student invites questions about motive and context — especially given the public knowledge of Shaq’s past relationships during that era.
H4: Watch the podcast moment
You can watch the exchange on the Funky Friday Podcast clip (timestamp at Nunn’s reveal): https://youtu.be/jIfL-hIc_3o?si=aqDakGsj16cVxuvv&t=7660
H2: Bottom line
On-air banter between Newton and Nunn turned a personal anecdote into a headline. Nunn stands by her story that Shaq bought her a New Beetle while she was at USC and denies any romantic relationship with the NBA star. Newton’s reaction — skeptical and probing — kept the moment alive on social media and sports-talk channels.
This short exchange is a reminder of how celebrity anecdotes can quickly become larger conversations about generosity, boundaries and public perception. Cam Newton’s questioning created a viral moment that puts Natalie Nunn’s memory of the gift back in the spotlight.
Image Referance: https://thesportsrush.com/nba-news-cam-newton-raises-eyebrows-after-reality-star-natalie-nunn-reveals-shaquille-oneal-bought-her-a-21k-car-at-usc/
