“Like Walking Around With a Disney Character”: Shaq’s Cousin From MTV Fame Recalls Being Humbled by NBA Giant’s Popularity

7′1″ Shaquille O’Neal can’t keep a low profile, even if he wished to. His staggering height attracts fans from miles away. “I mean we pretty much knew that Shaq was probably gonna make it to the league at least get close because he was so big,” Shaq’s cousin spoke about how the family believed in O’Neal. However, the cousin felt he was more famous than Shaq at one point and his bubble quickly burst.

The face of MTV in the 90s, Bill Bellamy is the second cousin of Shaq. Don’t be surprised! On the Mark Jackson show, Bellamy revealed the story when O’Neal had just arrived in the NBA. Unaware of how famous Shaq was in Orlando, the family went for a trip to Disney World.

Since he was face of the MTV, Bellamy told Shaq that he was more famous than the 4x NBA champion. Yet he recalled the reception Shaq received was magical. “We go to Walt Disney World together bro, this is when he(Shaq) first came to Orlando. It was like walking around with a a Disney character because the kids love Shaq people could see him from Miles Away.”

Shaq’s popularity even put the 5-time Grammy Award winner to shame. Bellamy said they couldn’t enjoy the rides, but Mariah Carey did because nobody recognized her. At that time the comedian finally admitted, “Shaq you that famous”. And O’Neal replied, “It’s crazy.”

It was just the first step of success for Shaq. Bellamy called it surreal, “It’s so interesting growing up not knowing if anybody’s gonna be famous.”

O’Neal once again broke the internet earlier today when he did an unexpected collaboration with viral ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’. But there is one fear that the former Lakers legend still has. Even with all the fame, he is unable to shake that fear.

Shaq fears the center stage

The 52-year-old has multiple gigs outside of basketball, but he still fears doing standup comedy. “Actually, no. Comedy kind of scares me,” he said on the Dear Father Podcast earlier this year. O’Neal used the analogy of basketball, if he was playing badly, his teammates could help. But in comedy, the punches have to land every time, and if the crowd isn’t enjoying, there is no teammate to fall upon.

“If I was to get into comedy, I would have to be raw and dirty,” said O’Neal. We all remember his memorable performance in the Justin Bieber Roast. He even called Mike Jeffrey Joiner and Katt Williams his two favorite comedians. He should have mentioned his cousin Bill Bellamy so next time people wouldn’t be surprised about their family connection.

Shaq was selected overall #1 draft pick which should have been a clue for Bellamy as to how famous the NBA star was. Talking about the draft, the comedian couldn’t have been more proud of his cousin’s achievements. “That’s somebody you know personally get drafted that’s a big deal man”. Shaq was drafted as a rookie way back in 1992 by the Orlando Magic.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.