The Women Of Shaq's World: Unpacking Shaquille O'Neal's Current Girlfriend And Latest 2024 Dating Rumors

Shaquille O'Neal, the iconic NBA legend and larger-than-life personality, continues to dominate headlines long after his retirement, particularly regarding his dating life. As of December 11, 2025, the status of the former Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat star’s love life remains a fascinating blend of persistent, long-term rumors and sudden, viral social media speculation. While one actress has been consistently linked to the star for years, a recent September 2024 photo with an influencer threw the entire narrative into question, prompting Shaq to issue a cryptic, playful denial.

The core question of "Who is Shaq's girlfriend?" is complicated because the "Big Aristotle" has a history of keeping his relationships private, often referring to his partners as simply "rumored." However, one woman stands out as the most consistently named partner for the past few years: actress Annie Ilonzeh. To provide full context, we must explore his complete dating history and address the most recent, highly-publicized rumors that have been circulating across social media channels.

The Current Enigma: Annie Ilonzeh and the September 2024 Viral Rumor

For the past few years, the name most frequently associated with Shaquille O'Neal's romantic life is the talented actress Annie Ilonzeh. Their relationship, while widely reported, has never been officially confirmed by either party, existing in a realm of public sightings and "rumored girlfriend" status, which Shaq himself has used to describe her.

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Annie Ilonzeh: The Long-Term Rumored Partner

Annie Ilonzeh, whose full name is Annette Ngozi Ilonzeh, is a Nigerian-American actress known for her significant roles in popular television dramas. Born on August 23, 1983, in Grapevine, Texas, she launched her career with a recurring role on the soap opera General Hospital as Maya Ward, before gaining wider recognition.

• Key Career Roles: Ilonzeh is best known for portraying Emily Foster on the NBC drama Chicago Fire. She also starred as Kate Prince in the short-lived 2011 reboot of Charlie's Angels. Her film credits include All Eyez on Me and Peppermint.
• Relationship Timeline: Reports of O'Neal and Ilonzeh dating first surfaced around 2019. Despite numerous public appearances together, the pair have maintained a quiet profile, leading to the continued use of the "rumored" label, even into 2024.
• Shaq's Confirmation: In a January 2023 interview, Shaq mentioned Ilonzeh as his "rumored girlfriend," which, ironically, served as the closest thing to a confirmation of their status at the time.

The September 2024 Maria Ozuna Teachey Scandal

The consistent narrative around Ilonzeh was momentarily shattered in September 2024 when a social media influencer named Maria Ozuna Teachey posted a viral photo that appeared to show her in a romantic embrace with the NBA Hall of Famer.

• The Viral Photo: The deleted picture, which circulated rapidly across Instagram and Twitter, triggered intense speculation that Shaq had a new girlfriend.
• Shaq's Response: O'Neal quickly addressed the rumors, using his signature blend of humor and deflection to shut down the speculation. He stated, "Trust me, I'll let y'all know who my woman is," before playfully adding that his woman's name is "Shaqrah."
• Conclusion: While the photo caused a major stir and briefly made Maria Ozuna Teachey a trending entity, Shaq's response indicated that the viral picture did not represent a new, official relationship, leaving Annie Ilonzeh as the most consistently linked partner in the public eye.

A Deep Dive into Shaquille O'Neal’s High-Profile Dating History

Shaq's status as a global icon—a four-time NBA champion, a revered analyst on Inside the NBA, and a successful businessman known as DJ Diesel—means his personal life is always under scrutiny. His dating history is as high-profile as his career, providing context for his current private nature.

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The Marriage to Shaunie O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal was famously married to Shaunie O'Neal (now Shaunie Henderson) from 2002 to 2011. The couple share four children: Shareef, Amirah, Shaqir, and Me'arah. Their marriage and subsequent divorce were widely publicized, and they remain committed co-parents. This foundational relationship is crucial for understanding the current dynamics of his love life, as he has often expressed a desire for a partner who understands his life as a celebrity father.

Significant Post-Divorce Relationships

Following his divorce, Shaq was linked to several prominent women, which further established his preference for privacy and his tendency to date women who are successful in their own right, from acting to modeling.

• Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander (2010–2013): Alexander, a television personality known for winning the VH1 reality show Flavor of Love and I Love Money, was one of Shaq's most high-profile partners after his divorce. Their significant height difference was often a topic of media discussion.
• Laticia Rolle (Circa 2014–2018): Laticia Rolle, a model and entrepreneur, was reportedly in a long-term relationship with O'Neal for several years. Their relationship was often documented on social media, though they eventually parted ways.

The Philosophy of 'Shaqrah': Why O'Neal Keeps His Love Life Private

The public's fascination with "Shaq and his girlfriend" is a testament to his enduring popularity. However, O'Neal has repeatedly expressed a desire for a private life, especially after his very public marriage and divorce. His playful use of "Shaqrah" to dismiss the September 2024 rumors with Maria Ozuna Teachey is indicative of his strategy: acknowledge the rumor with humor, but firmly redirect the narrative away from confirmation.

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Shaq has often spoken about the challenges of dating as a celebrity of his stature. The intense media scrutiny, the constant speculation, and the difficulty of finding a genuine connection are all factors that contribute to his guarded approach. This is why the five-year-long, yet still "rumored," relationship with Annie Ilonzeh has endured. It suggests a level of mutual respect for privacy and a desire to build a relationship away from the constant spotlight of TNT and the NBA world.

Ultimately, while Shaquille O'Neal may be one of the most visible people in the world of sports and entertainment, his heart remains one of the most private. As of late 2024, Annie Ilonzeh remains the most credible and consistent entity linked to the legend, but the door is always open for the next viral rumor to emerge, only to be shut down by the "Diesel" himself.

Key Entities in Shaq’s World

• People: Shaquille O'Neal, Annie Ilonzeh, Annette Ngozi Ilonzeh, Maria Ozuna Teachey, Shaunie O'Neal, Nicole "Hoopz" Alexander, Laticia Rolle, DJ Diesel.
• Career & TV: NBA, TNT, Inside the NBA, General Hospital, Chicago Fire, Charlie's Angels, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic.
• Concepts: Shaqrah, Dating Rumors, Topical Authority, Celebrity Privacy, Co-Parenting.