Despite Claiming to Possess 0 Skill, Shaquille O’Neal’s ‘Relentless Demand’ Only to “Feel Important” Laid Bare

DJ Diesel, the maestro? In some ways. Shaquille O’Neal loves to imbibe that vibe when he’s traversing the world. He got candid about his travel stories and preferences to GQ when he revealed the one thing he wants his hotel to provide. Shaq repeatedly denounced the celebrity culture and proclaims he’s low maintenance. But a certain travel requirement puts him in a fancy mood.

Everyone needs a little something in their hotel room to feel like it’s their space. Shaq has no way to use his hotel room must-have but it only adds to his larger-than-life persona.

Shaquille O’Neal reveals his travel preferences

GQ found out what’s it like to travel as a 7’1″ multi-millionaire from Shaquille O’Neal. The Los Angeles Lakers legend goes between several cities on his deejay gigs and multiple media appearances. Of course, before 2011 he flew across the country to put NBA pros on posters. But post-retirement, Shaq is still collecting miles. He’s got plenty of stories and even formed travel habits.

The 4x NBA champion claims he’s quite low-key as a hotel guest though he’s treated contrary to it. “I’m not a diva. Some hotels take it upon themselves to get a bed and then another bed turned sideways. I snuggle up like a child, so I don’t really need that. I’ve never been one of those high-maintenance superstars,” he said to GQ.

He does have some requirements from his stay though. “My only request is a big room. I will overpay for that. I don’t like just four walls,” admitted the $400 million man. O’Neal continued, “I gotta have the biggest suite in the hotel. I like living room, piano…”

The interviewer had to ask if Shaq could play the piano he needed in every hotel stay. His answer was a simple “No.” Then why does he need a piano?

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“I just like to look at it. Bro, you got a piano in your hotel room? You feel important.” A reasonable request. As long as he has the piano improving the ambience, Shaq feels no need to learn to play it. Meanwhile, he does flaunt his cool hotel rooms.

Shaquille O’Neal’s coolest hotel room yet

The four-time champion is not kidding when he said he always gets himself the larger room. He was in Las Vegas recently, the entertainment capital he visits frequently. While he was hosting his annual fundraiser, The Event, he roomed in style.

O’Neal flaunted his spectacular penthouse on Instagram recently. Apart from the luxurious interiors of a living room that he wants and a chandelier at eye level with him, it was the entrance that was the highlight.

Like a Bond villain, Shaq unlocked the door with a ring on his finger he held to a scanner. We didn’t spot the piano inside though but we assume the hotel remembered to have it there Shaq. Do you also have one of these lavish preferences for your hotel stays?

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