A little self-pampering goes a long way. You might even score a 40 on the court. That’s what happened to Shaquille O’Neal the first time he got his toe nails painted. That’s a piece of Shaq-lore he narrated on The Big Podcast along with explaining to his guests, T.I. and Jamal Crawford, his usual self-care routine.

Big Diesel’s routine includes going into his safe space and getting his toenails painted. “I give about $1,000,” to the nail technician who does his pedicure. “‘Cause I know my feet stink I know they’re ugly and I like to paint them.” Since he’s aware that he’s not the easiest client, he more than makes it up to the nail technician with a hefty tip.

He was once going to sit out a game because his toenail ripped out. But his mother, Lucille, prettied it with red polish. The confidence boost from the neat and painted feet made Shaq return to the court and set one of his best scoring records. “So I was like, you know, I’m going to just start painting my toes.” And he makes the most of it too.

Some of Shaq’s viral moments have involved the 7-footer showing off his aesthetically done toenails. But nothing beats that time he recorded his pedicurist saying, “I don’t want your money. Your feet stink and these are the worst feet I’ve ever worked on. I quit.” That would explain why he pays them extra for their effort.

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Shaquille O’Neal is generous with his aestheticians

Not long ago, the 4x NBA champion told Jennifer Hudson on her talk show that he has “ugly a**” toenails and he feels a pedicure takes care of it. And he makes sure the aesthetician is duly rewarded for the effort.

When Adam Lefkoe asked if the nail techs compete to get the client who pays $1000, Shaq said he avoids that. “Well, no. So like if I like I need them done, I’ll go into a place where there ain’t nobody in there.” While O’Neal is hardly insecure about his indulgence, he prefers the privacy without any spectators.

His guests called it his “safe space.” Adam Lefkoe even joked that the 2000 NBA MVP doesn’t want anyone watching him get his toes painted but he’ll go on TNT and flaunt his dolled-up size 22 feet. “Because I know it’s going to make you laugh,” Shaq admitted. Do you think Shaq pays his nail techs enough?

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