Shawnee O’Neal is living a peaceful life alongside her husband, Pastor Keon Henderson. However, her path to finding lasting happiness has been far from straightforward. Originally, we planned to share their love story, seeking to shift focus after the recent controversy surrounding our red flag series. But as we delved into Shawnee’s past relationships, we discovered a tangled web of complexities we hadn’t anticipated. So, buckle up, because this journey is bound to be a turbulent one. But before we dive in, why not grab a snack from rrgsnacks.com? They offer an array of tasty treats like beef and bacon jerky, Buffalo Ranch popcorn, and green apple licorice.
Have you ever heard of Davin Baptiste? If not, you’re not alone. He happens to be Shawnee’s first husband. Although the exact date of their wedding remains a mystery, in the late ’90s, Davin held the role of creative director at Design Skills Advertising. According to his LinkedIn profile, the Compton, California native was involved in creating content for various celebrities and managing marketing campaigns for brands like Nike and Coca-Cola. Meanwhile, in 1992, Shaquille O’Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic as the first overall pick in the NBA draft. Following the birth of his daughter Tahira with longtime girlfriend Arnetta Yardborg in the summer of 1996, Shaq faced criticism from Orlando media outlets for fathering a child out of wedlock. However, in 1996, Shaq left Orlando to join the Los Angeles Lakers on a lucrative seven-year, $120 million deal. People magazine reports that it was around this time that Shaq crossed paths with Shawnee, who was working in LA as a film marketer. While there’s speculation that she may have been collaborating with her then-husband Davin in that capacity, concrete evidence is lacking. Nevertheless, according to People magazine’s timeline, Shawnee was still legally married when she and Shaq first met. At just 22 years old, Shawnee welcomed her son Miles in May 1997, and just a month after Miles’s first birthday, Davin initiated divorce proceedings.
You know, we’re not really ones to gossip, but after getting our hands on those divorce documents from RRG, it’s pretty clear that Davin stated he and Shawnee didn’t have any young kids at the time of the filing, even though Miles was still a minor back then. So, what’s the deal with that? [Music] Well, we’ll let you figure that one out.
Flashback to spring ’99, and Shawnee’s got a bun in the oven courtesy of Shaq. They all settle into Shaq’s pad, and according to his memoir (which we’ve linked for you), Shaq embraced Shawnee’s son, Miles, as his own. Plus, Davin’s got pics of Miles all over his Facebook, confirming their bond. Even though Miles rolls with Shaq’s last name on socials, Shawnee had Sharif in Jan ’99 and then Amira in Nov ’01. So, that’s a total of four kids between them, counting the ones from their previous relationships.
Fast forward to 2002, Shawnee’s flashing a rock the size of a golf ball, but Shaq’s telling The New Yorker he’s not ready to take the plunge just yet. The mag’s writer paid a visit to Shaq’s crib and found him chilling with his cousins and high school buddies, causing mayhem. Shaq, Shawnee, and the kids are all under the same roof, along with Shaq’s chef and BFF, Thomas Gosney. When asked about tying the knot, Thomas drops the bomb: “We probably will, but let’s wait till Shaq’s done with the NBA.” Hold up, did he just say ‘we’? Who’s this ‘we’? Then he adds, “Before Shawnee came along, I used to joke that I was his wife, minus the romance. Shaq once told me, ‘If you were a girl, I’d be in trouble.
While Shaq and Shawnee are growing their brood, the media’s going nuts over athletes and their tangled love lives. An NBA big shot spilled to Sports Illustrated that there might be more illegitimate kids running around than there are NBA players. Paternity suits are cropping up everywhere, putting players and the league in a bad light. Some ballers buckle under the pressure and tie the knot with their long-time partners just to dodge the drama, even if they’re not exactly planning on being faithful.
In December 2002, Shawnee and Shaq tied the knot in a super private ceremony, and Shaq’s mom, Lucille, couldn’t have been happier. She gushed to People magazine about how seeing them together and in love was every mother’s dream for her child.
Fast forward a year, and Shaq’s teammate Kobe Bryant finds himself in hot water over a hotel employee incident in Colorado. During questioning, Kobe reportedly mentions Shaq’s strategy of paying off women to keep quiet. Shaq quickly shuts down these claims, calling them ridiculous and emphasizing his distance from Kobe’s circle.
While Shaq denies the pay-off allegations, he does own up to some past slip-ups. In his memoir, he talks about the sudden flood of attention from women once he joined the NBA and the struggles of being a faithful husband amidst the constant temptations and his own moodiness. He admits he wasn’t the best husband, even though he and Shawnee welcomed their son in April 2003.
Things take a turn when Shaq joins the Miami Heat in 2004. Shawnee starts noticing the Miami scene’s effect on their marriage, especially with women showing up at games barely dressed. She confronts Shaq about cheating rumors, but he either denies them or demands proof.
Despite the arrival of their fourth child in May 2006, the cracks in their marriage deepen. Shaq files for divorce in 2007, giving Shawnee full custody of their kids. Rumors swirl about Shawnee cheating with her personal trainer, but she denies them vehemently, blaming Shaq’s insecurities for restricting her even at the gym.
After a failed attempt at reconciliation in 2008, Shawnee files for legal separation in 2009, eventually leading to divorce. She admits to struggling with loneliness but ultimately finds relief in breaking free. The final straw comes when she discovers incriminating messages and retaliates by vandalizing Shaq’s car, exposing his infidelity to the world.
In his memoir, Shaq took a candid look at his failed marriage, owning up to his role in its demise. He admitted to straying outside of his marriage, attributing it to the temptations that came with his fame. Reflecting on his actions, he remarked, “In my mind, I never meant any disrespect, but looking back, I know I shouldn’t have gone down that path at all.”
As the divorce proceedings unfolded, Shaq found himself entangled in another controversy. Vanessa Lopez, a woman who claimed to have been his mistress for five years, came forward in January 2010. Vanessa alleged that Shaq had portrayed his marriage to Shawnee as open and consensual. However, their relationship soured after a pregnancy scare, leading to Vanessa filing a lawsuit against Shaq. The legal battle ended when the court dismissed her case, citing her dishonesty.
Shaq and Shawnee finalized their divorce in March 2010, coinciding with the debut of the reality show Basketball Wives. Despite rumors linking Shaq to Shawnee’s co-star Laura Govan, Laura vehemently denied any involvement. Shaq moved on to a relationship with reality star Nikki ‘Hoops’ Alexander, while Shawnee found companionship with Marlon Yates. However, their six-year relationship came to an end in 2016 amidst speculation about Marlon’s involvement with Shawnee’s co-star Evelyn Lozada, a claim Evelyn fiercely denied.
Meanwhile, Pastor Keon Henderson went through his own divorce with his wife, Felicia, around 2016. Despite his focus on raising his daughter and his ministry in Houston, Keon found himself drawn into a new chapter of his life when he connected with Shawnee through a mutual friend. Their initial conversations, which began over text, eventually led to a six-hour heart-to-heart when Keon visited California for work.
In February of 2020, they officially became a couple. After two years of dating, they happily announced their engagement. Shawnee revealed to People magazine that her children had taken a liking to him, appreciating how he filled a void in their lives. Meanwhile, Shaq, ever the playful friend, teased him about settling down and ending his random FaceTime calls.
Fast forward to May 2022, and Shawnee, at 47, and Keon, at 41, tied the knot, while simultaneously revealing plans for a VH1 reality show capturing their wedding journey.
Following their ceremony, Shawnee surprised her new spouse with a luxurious month-long honeymoon aboard a yacht in Monaco, cruising down the French coast and concluding their trip in Italy. Upon their return, they settled into a stunning $3.3 million home in Houston. Embracing her role as the first lady of his church, Shawnee and Keon ventured into various business projects together.
Reflecting on her journey, Shawnee shared with Mind-Blowing Magazine in May 2022, the joy of finally finding her lifelong partner. She mused, “You always dream of that hero, that knight in shining armor who sweeps you off your feet. It took some time, but it’s a fresh start for me.”