When Shaunie married Shaquille O’Neal, she left behind a fledgling career as a film promoter and was dedicated to her marriage and kids. She said in her new memoir, Undefeated, that she was consumed with the NBA life while her marriage was falling apart. In 2009, she filed for divorce from Shaq and it was finalized in 2011. Between that, Basketball Wives premiered on Vh1 in 2010. She was billed as the executive producer as well as the star of the show at a time when she was under the most scrutiny. Her publicized ongoing separation from O’Neal became a talking point and over a decade later, Basketball Wives still suffers from a skewed public perspective.

Shaunie Henderson addresses the criticism her show faces in her memoir and more. While on the TMI Podcast, she explained how her separation from Shaq spurred her to start her show. Shaunie and her cast mates often get accused of using their famous NBA partners for fame. Even she was accused of having a ‘silver spoon’ handed to her because of her marriage to Shaq.

She addressed that misconception, saying, “I share that in the book. I think people misinterpret me as far as Basketball Wives is concerned as you know, I get that you’re explaining black women all the time, right? That was never the goal of Basketball Wives. It’s not about basketball. Basketball Wives is about giving women a voice and a platform to be able to express themselves however they are. If you are flipping table, that’s who you are. You know, of course, it’s entertainment at the end of the day.”

The show was born out of Shaunie’s need to have a post-divorce career. Shaq came out of the divorce with minimal financial damage while Shaunie said she was in “survival mode” and launched her media mogul career to provide for herself and her kids. Part of it was to be on equal footing with her ex-husband.

“I also wanted to get in my particular journey. I was lost at one point. I kind of lost myself and I felt like I didn’t have a voice. I felt like, who is Shawnee? And they’re like, what’s your purpose outside of being a mom, outside of being a wife? Then soon-to-be ex-wife, who are you and what do you do? What’s your legacy you live in for your kids? Your kids have a very successful father. He’s got a legacy of years and years of a legacy,” she added.

Shaq didn’t comment on her show but praised Shaunie as a mother and wife. However, he does talk about his marriage being in the public eye sometimes.

Shaunie wanted a safe space

Along with Shaunie, Gloria Govan, Evelyn Lozada, and Royce Reed were in the first season. Reed previously said that Shaunie called her to film the sizzle reel that she shopped to networks before Vh1 picked it up. At least Shaunie and Lozada have remained in all seasons. Her show has expanded with Govan moving to the LA spinoff and another Orlando spinoff. Despite criticism of Shaunie and the ladies, the show has continued for 11 seasons and counting.

Like Shaunie, the other ladies on Basketball Wives have been subjected to criticism. Many call the show fake outright. Some question the lack of the basketball guys in relationships with these ladies. Shaunie ignores that criticism. While the practical reason for the show was a career, she also wanted to give a platform to her friends. Sure, she wished there was less drama, but she prefers they be their authentic selves.

Shaunie and the ladies have lived the NBA life. And it’s not just flying on team planes and basketball. Her show is about the unseen bits and she’s happy with what she created.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.