Shaquille O'Neal says one of his 'biggest music regrets' involves Backstreet Boys, NSYNC
- - Shaquille O'Neal says one of his 'biggest music regrets' involves Backstreet Boys, NSYNC
Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY November 21, 2025 at 5:33 AM
0
NEW YORK — Shaquille O'Neal has made over $1 billion in his lifetime, a quarter of which came through his Hall of Fame career in the NBA. However, even "The Big Aristotle" wouldn't mind a mulligan.
"The Backstreet Boys and NSYNC did their first album at my house," O'Neal, 53, tells USA TODAY. "I had a studio at my house and it's one of my biggest music regrets, because before they were big time I could have signed them [to a record deal], but I didn't."
The link is not entirely random: Both boy bands originated in Orlando, where O'Neal began his NBA career as a member of the Orlando Magic. But the seeds were planted for a future collaboration. O'Neal became close with Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter and his younger brother and then-budding pop star, Aaron Carter, who stopped by his house one day with the idea for the 2001 single, "That's How I Beat Shaq."
"I wish 'viral' was a thing back then, because that song would've went super viral," O'Neal says in hindsight. "[Aaron] was a nice kid and [the song] just went crazy."
O'Neal's professional career has spanned sports, food, entrepreneurship, media and music. The basketball icon has released five albums dating back to 1993, and currently tours as a DJ under the moniker DJ Diesel.
O'Neal traveled to the Bronx to unveil his latest collaboration with JCPenney: his first ever signature fragrance. He's worked with the retailer since 2018.
Shaquille O'Neal, pictured here in February, tells USA TODAY that one of his "biggest music regrets" is not signing the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC to a record deal. The Basketball Hall of Famer met both groups while he was a member of the Orlando Magic.
"My mother and father used to shop at JCPenney," O'Neal says, citing the store's affordability. "When the opportunity came up for me to align our brands together, my mother really loved it because this was a place where I got at least 70% of all my stuff."
As for his latest product, Shaquille O'Neal Eau de Parfum, the 7-footer says he'll be gifting it to his colleagues on ESPN's "Inside the NBA." Well, at least some of them.
"Chuck stinks, so it won't help him," O'Neal jokes of his on-screen protagonist Charles Barkley, adding that he doesn't "know if he's showered in years." "But Ernie [Johnson] and Kenny [Smith] will definitely get it."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shaq shares NSYNC, Backstreet Boys 'regret'
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
