“Shaquille O’Neal Dragged Me To His New Year’s Eve Party”: Shaq’s Neighbor Details Experiences of Living Across The Street

Shaquille O’Neal was signed as a free agent by the LA Lakers in 1996. The big man looked for a house, and ended up living across the street from Paula Abdul.

For those who haven’t heard much 80s pop, the name Paula Abdul probably doesn’t ring many bells. The 60-year-old went platinum with her debut release in 1986, with 4 of her songs charting at #1 on Billboard in 1986.

Abdul would go on to be a judge on American Idol much later. She also was a judge on X-Factor and So You Think You Can Dance. Paula is one of the USA’s most beloved yesteryear popstars even today.

Of course, Abdul doesn’t hold a candle to Shaq’s level of popularity. The big man was synonymous with blockbuster dominance during his Lakers heyday.

Shaq’s MVP season in 2000

Scoring: 1st
FG%: 1st
REB: 2nd
BLK: 3rd

He also averaged 38 PTS, 17 REB, 3 BLK in the Finals.

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Also Read – “Shaquille O’Neal moved across the street with Paula Abdul”: Lakers superstar narrates how he built a friendship with pop singer

Paula Abdul personally helped Shaq find his new LA home

Shaq had confirmed in a 2021 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he did actually buy a home in Los Angeles because it was across the street from Paula Abdul.

Paula was recently a guest with Jennifer Hudson on her new self-titled talk show. During her interview segment, she revealed some nice tidbits about her experiences of being Shaq’s neighbor. She clarified that it was her idea to get Shaq the house across the street from hers:

“Shaq was looking for a house and he wanted to see mine. And of course, mine was too small for him. I lived in a gated community and it was Cul-de-Sac street.”

“I said ‘You know what, there’s a house right across the street that you should see. Maybe you can meet the builder.’ because it’s got huge ceilings, huge doorframes, everything.”

“I walked him across the street and knocked on the door. My friends had just moved in – not even a year that they were living there. And he walked in and he was like ‘This is it.’ He offered them quite a bit more than the market value.”

Also Read – 7-foot Rookie Shaquille O’Neal Savagely Broke the Backboard in a One-on-one Against Ahmad Rashad

Shaquille O’Neal put Paula on the spot by dragging her to his New Year’s Eve party

In the same interview, Shaq’s goofiness was once again put on full display by the Opposites Attract hitmaker. She revealed how the big man essentially forced her to attend a New Year’s bash:

“He always had these New Year’s Eve parties. And New Year’s Eve is great and fine, but sometimes you just want to stay in. I was in my sweats and there’s a knock on the door. Shaq’s wearing a bright pink shirt and a 3-piece suit with great little skinny grey pinstripes with a pink derby hat.”

“He took me on his shoulder. I’m kicking and screaming, I didn’t wanna go, I’m in my sweats and he had a big party. But see, I knew what happens at midnight – so right before the clock struck for midnight, I ran under the dining table.”

“Because what he does is he moons people and he puts his butt on your head.”

This story is entirely in keeping with the character that we know and love Shaq to be!