Sitting across GMA’s Robin Roberts, Shaunie set the record straight, “I thought I was in love and of course I loved him.” Referencing the backlash over the excerpt in her memoir, she reiterated that her words were twisted out of context. “It was absolutely taken out of context when you just grab that little snippet right? But it’s the fact that I lost the trust, I lost that safe feeling, and that’s what I needed to receive love.” 

Previously in an interview with PEOPLE on May 10, Shaunie had expressed a similar sentiment in relation to her words been taken out of context. “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,” she said.

The words in her book, which was released on May 7, even drew a reaction from Shaq’s rival, Shannon Sharpe. NFL legend Sharpe, who has been involved in a war of words with Shaq over the choice of 2024 NBA MVP, expressed disappointment towards Shaunie’s comments.

On the May 10 episode of his show, the Nightcap, he said, “You do realize that’s the father of your kids. You just told your kids I’m not so sure I was ever in love with your father.” 

Even Shaq’s former agent, Leonard Armato was saddened on behalf of his friend. In an exclusive to EssentiallySports, Armato said O’Neal handled the situation with dignity.

Shaq also responded the next day after the book’s release, though he sounded humble. “I understand… I wouldn’t have been in love with me either,” he said in an Instagram post. Though it wasn’t what he intended, his apparent sympathetic stance translated into outrage towards Shaunie. She had to reiterate that her memoir is all about herself and not a tell-all on Shaq, yet her revelation about their marriage stole the focus.

Ever since their divorce, Shaq has openly acknowledged his mistakes that led to their split and in 2022 admitted his regret over the situation. Last week, in an appearance on TMI podcast, Shaunie said that she always appreciated Shaq taking accountability over what happened between them. “I really appreciated him for owning that and being accountable. I think where I was in life when he did that interview I didn’t need it. But I appreciated it.”

During her conversation with Roberts on GMA, she mentioned how Shaq’s way of showing love from was different and what changed after her marriage with Keion Henderson

Shaunie affirms Shaq’s love language

On GMA, Shaunie said that while Shaq was a good provider, Keion restored the safe feeling she needed. “Some people find love in things and providing and he was all of those. You know he was a great provider, he was all of that, but I lost that safe feeling.”

The former couple battled the indifferences, to mend the relationship, and hold on to what was to be lost, for three years, after initially filing for divorce. But to no avail.

Nonetheless, despite what transpired, the two have shown immense respect towards each other. Hence, Shaunie’s mention of not knowing if she was in loved with Shaq raised some eyebrows. But now she has once again clarified that she did have genuine feelings for the man, with whom she built a family of six.