“Lucille Chased Shaquille O’Neal With a Frying Pan”: When Former American Idol Judge Revealed How Afraid 7ft 1″ Legend was of his Mother

Shaquille O’Neal was a force of nature. Standing at 7′ 1″, O’Neal was large even among the NBA players. His gargantuan size and superhuman strength made him an almost unstoppable athlete. However, it was his viciousness on the court that made him into the legend he is today. O’Neal wasn’t afraid of anything. In fact, he was determined to break anyone foolish enough to clash with him.

Knowing his various stories and altercations, it is hard to believe O’Neal was ever afraid of anyone. However, Paula Abdul, who was a judge on American Idol for 7 seasons, revealed how there was one person who could scare even O’Neal.

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Paula Abdula revealed how Lucille chased Shaquille O’Neal

Paula Abdul and O’Neal were neighbors when Shaq moved to LA from Orlando. Freshly signed by the Lakers, he was hunting for houses when he finalized on the one opposite Abdul’s house. So, naturally, the famous entertainer and reality TV judge knows a lot about Shaq’s time as her neighbor.

While on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Abdul also shared a few Shaq stories. One of the instances shared a story revealing the fear the legendary center had for his mother. Paula revealed how, whenever Lucille visited her son, she would watch her chase O’Neal with a frying pan around his lawn.

Paula: “When Lucille would come to visit, she’d be chasing him with a frying pan outside yelling at him and he’d be running.”

In all fairness, it must have been a sight so entertaining, Paula probably thinks about it regularly. Fortunately, she was gracious enough to share it with the world.

Shaq revealed why he moved next to Paula Abdul

O’Neal has never really hidden his admiration for good-looking women. A mega fan of Rihanna and Halle Berry, the Lakers legend was what some would call a ‘player’. But unlike an average joe, Shaq’s game was a little more extravagant. He revealed how even buying the house next to Paula was his way of trying to catch Abdul’s eye.

While on the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show, O’Neal detailed how he moved next to Paula and would execute a unique strategy to get her attention. However, O’Neal clarified that he never flirted with Paula or dated her.

O’Neal: “I was here in LA, I was looking, I didn’t really like the house and the guy was like ‘Paula Abdul lives across the street!’ I said ‘I’ll take it.’ Didn’t even look inside. ‘No I’ll take it!’ We have the same business manager, she’s a very nice lady. If I ever dated her or flirted with her? No. I moved across the street and I would look and every time she came outside I would accidentally, you know, come outside. ‘Oh hey, Paula! How are you?'”

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