Natalie Nunn was thrown back into the headlines this week after a podcast story spurred fresh speculation about her past relationship with NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal. A casual conversation would soon go viral, with fans revisiting old rumors and wondering if there was ever more than friendship between the two. The reality star addressed the chatter directly when snippets of a recent podcast episode went viral. Social media ran wild with claims of her dating, but Nunn explained what actually happened-pushing back on years-old tabloid narratives resurfaced almost overnight. Is Natalie Nunn dating Shaquille O'Neal? The buzz started anew in an episode of Cam Newton's podcast, Funky Friday, where Natalie Nunn was telling a story of how she got her first car. According to Nunn, Shaquille O'Neal bought her a brand-new convertible Volkswagen Beetle while she was at the University of Southern California. Immediately, the said $21,000-dollar car in its time became an object of online debate as the clip went viral. The more the conversation flowed, the more Nunn referenced an old headline from the early 2010s that said Shaq had left his then-partner, Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander, for her. Nunn completely denied those rumors, stating she never dated O’Neal and maintained she was a college student who just needed transportation. She said she was at games and moving around in those circles, but there was absolutely nothing romantic involved. Cam Newton pressed the issue during the podcast, asking directly if the two had dated. Nunn shut it down a second time, stressing how there had not been a relationship and there was no secret behind the gesture. Still, the exchange did enough to light up social media, as viewers fell on different sides of whether the gift was purely generous or hinted at something more. Adding another layer to the moment, Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander reacted to the podcast clip once it was shared on Instagram. Her response was short and cryptic: a pair of eyes emojis. A subtle action that would fuel further speculation, memes, and commentary-though a direct statement would not come forth. Natalie Nunn, best known for her long-running stint on Bad Girls Club and being a television personality cum executive producer, has never confirmed she was ever romantically involved with O'Neal. Shaquille O'Neal, a retired NBA superstar and media figure himself, has also never confirmed the two were an item. Ultimately, the viral moment seems more about revisiting old gossip than new revelations unearthed. Natalie Nunn has been very direct with setting the record straight, and despite the curiosity of the internet, there isn't any confirmation that she ever dated Shaquille O'Neal.