South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Shaq talks Fun House, Halle Berry, Diplo
At his party, O’Neal to get crowd moving as DJ Diesel
Shaq’s Fun House, the epic carnivalstyle DJ party hosted by NBA Hall of Famer and former Miami Heat star Shaquille O’Neal that returns during Miami Music Week later this month, has been known for two things.
First, there is the motley assembly of sports and entertainment celebrities, both onstage and off. Performers have included Diplo, Steve Aoki, Migos, Tiesto, A-Trak and Lil Jon, while guests have ranged from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Florida Gators deity Tim Tebow and NFL star Patrick Mahomes to Adam Levine, Jamie Foxx, Daymond John of “Shark Tank” and fashion designer Alexander Wang.
If you have ever wanted to see New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski dance to music by Steve Aoki while teetering atop the shoulders of
Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq’s Fun House was the place to witness it.
The second important thing to know about this party, which debuted last year during Miami Music Week and had its second edition last month during
events surrounding the 2019 Super Bowl in Atlanta, is that it’s invite-only.
But that’s changed for the third edition of Shaq’s Fun House, taking
place the night of March 29 (technically 1 a.m. March
30) at Toe Jam Backlot in Wynwood, with a limited number of tickets now on sale at ShaqsFunHouse.com. Prices start at $199.99, which comes with a fivehour premium open bar, complimentary dining on food from Coyo Taco, Krispy Kreme and other carnival-themed snacks. Hakkasan VIP tables cost
$15,000, in case you were wondering.
While tickets are on sale, the DJ lineup, other than DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal), will not be revealed. O’Neal says he is personally reaching out to DJs in town that weekend for Miami Music Week and Ultra Music Festival, and promises he’ll get 10 of the best to spin at Shaq’s Fun House. You’ll have to trust him on this, he says.
Before he brings his fire breathers, aerialists and turntablists to town, O’Neal answered a few questions about music, movies, Halle Berry and the General.
Q: You are a humble guy, and you’ve said that with Shaq’s Fun House you were trying to create “the best event of all time.” Have you succeeded?
A: I aim to please. The thing to know about the Shaq brand is it’s the brand of fun. … A lot of parties, people come and there’s just one or two things to do, dance and stand around. We give people different options. So far we are 3-0 in the Shaq’s Fun House playoffs.
Q: The biggest celebrity experience at Shaq’s Fun House is you, right? For $499 [for two, in addition to admission] I can meet you and have you sign something. Apparently you’ll sign anything. What’s the strangest thing you’ve signed?
A: Well, I’m just there to make sure everyone is having fun. I don’t consider myself a celebrity. … I’ll sign anything. One time a lady made me sign her boobies and she went to the tattoo parlor and got it tattooed.
Q: Have you ever been nervous meeting a celebrity, and who was that?
A: Halle Berry. Listen, every man has a crush on Halle Berry. I was at the Four Seasons in L.A., in the elevator by myself, and the elevator opens up and she gets on. And my stuttering kicked in. I was getting ready to ask her for a date or something, but I was like, “Uh-ah-uh-uh-ahuh…” [Laughs.] By the time I said hello, she got off. She’s like, “Nice to meet you, Shaquille.” I was, like, “Damn it! Why?!”
Q: Why do you DJ? What itch does it do for you that broadcasting and acting do not?
A: It re-emphasizes my Game 7. Coming into the arena, people jumping up and down, going crazy, having a good time. For me, it’s like a Game 7. When I retired, I lost the feeling forever. I had to jump into fan mode and try and get it back by watching games, but it wasn’t there. Then I [went to] Tomorrowland [the electronic dance music festival in Belgium]. There was about a half-million people there, all the top DJs, and it was the best thing I’d seen in my life. People jumping up and down, different nations, different interests, just people jumping up and down having a good time. Finally, I got that feeling.
Q: Do you have a favorite DJ to watch at Shaq’s Fun House?
A: Diplo is one of my favorite guys to watch, because he’s one of them guys who can really read the crowd. I’m not there yet, but I’m almost there.
Q: Forbes says you have banked about $400 million in your career. Why do you hang out with the General?
A: Because before the Shaq character was created, Shaquille O’Neal bought a used 1989 Ford Bronco II in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I bought it for
$5,000. Saved up all my money, and my mom gave me some. I didn’t know nothing about cars and, “Oh, you need to get insurance.” I went to all the top insurance companies and they wanted $300, $400,
$500 a month. So I went to a little place around the corner, the General Insurance, and my insurance was $29 a month. Something I could afford as a college student. A lot of people ask me that question, “Why are you with the General?” Because when I was a nobody, they insured my little Ford Bronco II.
Q: How were you not in “Space Jam?” Your buddy Charles Barkley was in it. Even Shawn Bradley was in it. But not you?
A: “Space Jam” was basically a Michael JordanNike movie. I was with the Shaq brand and Reebok.
Q: Does [“Inside the NBA” co-host] Barkley give you a hard time about not being in “Space Jam?”
A: No, but he always says “Space Jam” is better than “Kazaam,” which is a total lie.
Q: “Space Jam II” is starting production soon. Are you interested? Have you spoken with LeBron?
A: No, I haven’t spoken to him. If he calls me I’ll be available, but if not, I understand.
Q: You have to be the most prolific basketballplaying actor out there, right?
A: It’s pretty close between me and Rick Fox. I know I’ve got about 18 movies. I was talking to an actor the other day and he said, “Shaq, I like your movies, but you’re not really an actor if you play Shaq in all the movies. So if you go by that theory, I probably only have about four movies: “Blue Chips,” “Steel,” “Kazaam” and “Uncle Drew.”
Q: Would you like to play someone other than Shaq?
A: I would like to play a guy that’s a bad-ass and goes and beats people up, bullies people that bully people who can’t help themselves.
Shaq’s Fun House is 1 a.m. Saturday, March 30, at Toe Jam Backlot, 150 NW 21st St., Miami. Tickets cost $199.99. Ages 21 and older only. Visit ShaqsFunHouse .com.