Shaunie O’Neal’s Side of the Story

The ongoing saga involving Shaunie and Shaq O’Neal has been in and out of the media. Search the back-story elsewhere, but Shaunie’s finally giving us her side of the story in the March issue of Essence. Here’s a recap: Shaunie’s 35 with 5 kids (her body is amazing for having that many), filed for separation in November 2009 and has an upcoming Basketball Wives reality show set to air this month on VH1. Here’s what we all speculated, but now know…

On the groupies: “I know they say L.A. has groupies, but Miami has a different mentality//Even going to the games, the whole environment is so different. Girls are practically in their bras and panties at the arena.”

On the infidelity rumors: “It got really ugly between us because ppl started calling me and telling me things about his other women.”

On why she stayed: “I did not want my kids to be from a broken home. I was willing to suffer for their sake.”

On being kept: “I was very well taken care of, so there was no need for me to be secretive about my spending. I hadn’t paid bills in 11 years.  All my credit card bills went straight to an accountant.”

On her AHA moment: After a month of not communicating, Shaunie reached out to Shaq to visit him for one of his games. His response was one of a brush-off–“Nah, that’s alright.” It was then that Shaunie was clear that it was a wrap. “I knew that it was time for me to go.”

In my mind: Shaunie one day kicked in the door waiving the TBD Faith Evan’s style or did a Waiting to Exhale scene (pulls clothes out the closet in a rage, sets them on fire, lights a cigarette, takes a drag, throws it & struts off) and that’s how she decided to exit stage left. I sorta always wanted to do something similar.

We wish Shaunie, Shaq & the family the best…whether it’s together or separated. Check this issue of Essence for the full story. Shaunie’s Twitter Page @Shaunie_O.

@thejasminebrand