Shaunie Henderson is opening up about a quote that she said was “taken out of context” from her recently released book, “UNDEFEATED: Changing the Rules and Winning on My Own Terms.”
The quote shared on social media had her ex-husband, Shaquille O’Neal, in his feels and responding publicly to it. And now she’s setting the record straight.
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Shaunie Henderson Is Clearing Up Any Confusion About A Quote From Her Book That Went Viral
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Henderson’s memoir, released earlier this week, included one particular quote that she believes has been “taken out of context” and she’s giving some more insight into what it’s all about.
The executive producer of “Basketball Wives” wrote in her book, “Looking back, I don’t know that I was ever really in love with the man,” talking about O’Neal. “I was in love with the idea of building a life together. I truly did enjoy spending time with him.”
The two met in the late 90s, were married in 2002, and separated in 2009. The two share four children together, sons Shareef and Shaqir and daughters Amirah and Me’arah. Henderson also has a son, Myles, from a previous relationship, and O’Neal has a daughter, Taahirah, from a former girlfriend.
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Shortly after that one quote got out, O’Neal shared his thoughts on social media about that harsh realization.
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Shaquille O’Neal Took To Instagram To Respond To Shaunie Henderson’s Quote
O’Neal, 52, shared a somber message on Instagram, and while he didn’t specifically say it was about Henderson’s quote, many immediately caught on.
“I understand…I wouldn’t have been in love with me either. Wishing you all the best. All love, Shaq,” he shared. His caption, “Trust me I get it” spoke volumes to the context of his thoughts.
His simple Instagram post received tons of attention, with many sharing support for O’Neal.
“Her comment was uncalled for. Completely distasteful in my opinion,” one person wrote. Another said, “We know you’re hurt but just being the bigger person. We, her fellow women are embarrassed on her behalf!”
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One other viewer added, “This was that spirit of the ‘Basketball Wives LA’ because that was a really unnecessary statement to make publicly about your ex-husband and the father of her children. I thought she moved on and was happy with Pastor Keion. There should be no more conversations about Shaq.”
Two of O’Neal’s sons dropped into the comment section to share some love for their dad.
Shaqir said, “You know I love ya twin,” and Myles said, “Bro I can’t believe this is happening on my birthday, love you always! This is crazy.”
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Shaunie Henderson Explained Her Comment Further
Henderson, 49, told PEOPLE that she feels the quote was “taken out of context” and explained it a bit deeper.
“My book is my truth, and when I was talking to my friend yesterday, I was like, developing an opinion and a comment from content with no context will show you a lot of people’s intelligence and unintelligence, right?” she explained.
“There was no context to just that one quote that I said, and I think that sadly, people are taking my words out of context. I’m not a word girl. I’m a character girl, and since I’ve left the marriage of Shaquille, my character has spoken for itself.”
And she said while she “can’t speak for” her ex-husband or “why he would run with” the quote on social media, she did say, “But it’s my book, my truth, and it’s my legacy.”
After seeing O’Neal’s response on social media, Henderson spoke to a friend who experienced something similar in a relationship.
“It’s funny, another girlfriend called me and was like, ‘I know exactly what you were saying.’ She goes, ‘I didn’t know that I wasn’t in love with my first fiance,'” she explained. “She never did get married, but she was like, ‘My fiance, you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t in love then.'”
Her friend also said that “it wasn’t until I got older” and married her husband that she knew “what being in love feels like.” Henderson, who’s now married to Keion Henderson, could relate.
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“When you love somebody, you love somebody, but to be in love with somebody is a different feeling, and I will be honest, I didn’t realize that until I found the love of my life right now and I’m in this marriage,” Henderson shared. “I’m like, oh my gosh. It’s a different feeling.”
Shaquille O’Neal Publicly Supported Shaunie Henderson’s Memoir Before It Was Released
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Before the book was released, O’Neal publicly congratulated his ex-wife on her book and shared some information about it on his Instagram page.
“Uh oh naaa I’m just playing. Congrats @iamshaunie. Pre-sale link info in @iamshaunie bio,” O’Neal captioned his social media post.
Many people were happy to see the NBA legend supporting his ex-wife and mother of his children and commented about that.
“I love the support,” one fan wrote. Another said, “I respect those who respect the mother of their children.”
Another person shared, “Respect, wanting everyone to win is its own gift.”
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‘UNDEFEATED: Changing the Rules And Winning On My Own Terms’ Was Released Earlier This Week
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Henderson’s long-awaited book was released on May 8. Before the memoir’s release, Henderson shared that she was “nervous” to write about O’Neal in the book.
She also told PEOPLE that “anything involving Shaquille is always a sketchy thing because he is who he is, and despite what our story is, no one ever wants to hear what could come across as not the greatest reputation.”
One thing that made it a little easier to share her story was the fact that O’Neal publicly confessed to the demise of their marriage. She said, “I was like, oh, okay, he told on himself.”
“I’m literally telling my story and my journey, which he was a part of,” she said. “So I’ve always been a little nervous about that, but I think I did a good job at sharing my story without destroying him because that’s not my intent at all, ever.”