RHOA’s Kelli Ferrell is OFFICIALLY DATING former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal
Reality television just collided with sports royalty in the most unexpected way! The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kelli Ferrell is officially dating NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, and fans are absolutely losing their minds. The stunning revelation marks one of the most talked-about new relationships in both Bravo and basketball circles — a power-couple moment that’s taking Hollywood and Atlanta by storm.
The Romance No One Saw Coming
Sources close to the couple confirmed this week that Kelli and Shaq have been quietly seeing each other for several months, after meeting at a charity gala in Atlanta earlier this year. The two reportedly hit it off instantly, bonding over philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and — according to one insider — “a shared love of laughter, food, and family.”
“They’ve been keeping it low-key, but it’s serious,” said a close friend. “Shaq adores Kelli’s confidence, and she loves his humor and big-hearted nature. They make each other genuinely happy.”
The pair were first spotted together leaving The Garden Room — one of Atlanta’s trendiest restaurants — hand-in-hand last month. While fans initially brushed off the sighting as a friendly dinner, multiple sources have since confirmed that the chemistry between the two has turned into a full-blown relationship.
Inside Their Blossoming Relationship
Those who know them say Kelli and Shaq’s connection is built on mutual respect and a shared desire for authenticity. “They’ve both been through life’s ups and downs,” one source explained. “They’re at a place where they just want peace and good energy. That’s what they found in each other.”
Kelli, known on RHOA for her elegance, culinary empire, and devotion to her family, has long described herself as a woman who “believes in love, but not in drama.” Meanwhile, Shaq, a four-time NBA champion and media personality, has publicly expressed that he’s “done chasing chaos” and wants a relationship rooted in trust and happiness.
“Kelli’s not about the fame or the spotlight,” the insider continued. “She loves that Shaq is down-to-earth despite his global celebrity. They cook together, travel together, and he’s even tried her signature Southern recipes — though he jokingly says she doesn’t let him near the kitchen.”
Public Appearance Confirms the Rumors
The relationship went from rumor to reality when Shaq and Kelli made their first public appearance together at the Atlanta Dream Foundation Gala last weekend. The two arrived arm-in-arm, dazzling onlookers with undeniable chemistry.
Kelli wore a sleek champagne-colored gown by Sergio Hudson, while Shaq looked effortlessly stylish in a tailored navy suit. They shared laughter on the red carpet, posed for photos, and were spotted whispering and smiling throughout the evening.
“They looked like they were in their own world,” said one attendee. “It was romantic without being over the top — you could just tell it was real.”
Fans and Co-Stars React
The internet exploded within hours of their public debut. Bravo fans, NBA followers, and pop-culture commentators all had something to say about the new couple.
“Shaq and a Real Housewife?! Didn’t have that on my 2025 bingo card,” one fan joked on X.
“Kelli Ferrell is THAT girl — secure, stunning, and now dating Shaq. We love to see it!” another wrote.
Meanwhile, Kelli’s RHOA co-stars have reportedly been buzzing about the romance behind the scenes. According to sources,
Porsha Williams was one of the first to congratulate her, while Marlo Hampton teased on camera, “Girl, you better invite me courtside!”
Bravo producers are said to be “thrilled” about the news, seeing it as the perfect storyline heading into the next season. “Kelli’s love life just became must-see TV,” a network insider revealed. “This isn’t just a fling — it’s turning into a serious relationship with real chemistry and star power.”
Shaq’s Romantic History
Shaquille O’Neal, 53, has been linked to several high-profile women over the years, including TV personality Nicole “Hoopz” Alexander and model Laticia Rolle. He was previously married to
Shaunie Henderson, with whom he shares four children.
While Shaq has often kept his relationships private in recent years, friends say his connection with Kelli feels different. “He’s protective of her,” one close friend shared. “He told us she makes him feel grounded — something he hasn’t felt in a long time.”
What’s Next for the Power Couple
According to insiders, the pair are already planning a romantic getaway to the Bahamas later this month. Kelli has reportedly introduced Shaq to her family, and he’s even been spotted visiting her Atlanta restaurant,
Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, where he took photos with staff and fans.
“Shaq’s been incredibly supportive of Kelli’s business ventures,” said the source. “He loves that she’s independent and successful in her own right. That’s a huge part of what draws him to her.”
Meanwhile, Kelli has been equally smitten, sharing cryptic posts on Instagram that fans now believe reference Shaq — including one that read, “Sometimes love finds you when you finally stop looking.”
A Match Made in Atlanta
From Bravo to basketball, this pairing has quickly become the talk of the town. Both Kelli and Shaq are icons in their own arenas — she’s a reality-TV success story and restaurateur, he’s an NBA legend and global brand ambassador — and together, they’re a powerhouse couple redefining what celebrity love looks like.
As one fan perfectly put it online:
“He’s the Big Aristotle. She’s the Southern Queen. Together, they’re unstoppable.”
Gretchen Rossi Denies Slade Was Behind RHOC Blogger Finale Call Controversy, Addresses Homophobic Posts She’s Accused of Liking as She’s Seen With Trump Hat in Resurfaced Clip
Gretchen Rossi is speaking out amid claims that Slade Smiley was the person behind the distorted male voice heard at the end of the finale episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County
Credit: Instagram
After the unidentified person accused Tamra Judge, 58, of leaking stories about the show, Gretchen, 47, addressed the rumors in a comment after Zack Peter, of the
“I can say that with full conviction. I’ve known about this since at least July,” Zack began in a video shared to Instagram on October 31.
According to Zack, he believed the finale phone call and the DMs that preceded it likely came from a producer.
“This happens in reality TV a lot, where producers will get info and they’ll leak it through like a DM or through like an anonymous Q&A question or something, and it’s to push the storyline forward. It happens in reality TV all the time,” he explained.
Whatever the case, Zack said he can “guarantee” that “Tamra’s absolutely been leaking things for months.”
“She’s been reaching out to podcasters, she’s been telling them not to have Gretchen on their show, not to interview Gretchen because, ‘Just wait. At the finale, Gretchen’s gonna be exposed. There are these homophobic posts, and Gretchen’s been ‘liking’ them.’ I can probably name at least five people that have gotten this info from Tamra over the last several months,” he stated. “She’s absolutely been planting seeds all summer long.”
Zack then criticized Teddi Mellencamp, 44, for dragging Scheana Shay, 40, into the storyline by suggesting she was involved in the passing on of the rumor regarding the supposed drugging and hospitalization of Gretchen.
“She knew exactly what she was doing by throwing Scheana Shay’s name into the mix because the Bravo fans already hate Scheana that it was just a greater adversary for them to direct their heat onto, and they got their pitchforks, and the fans loved it, and they came for Scheana’s neck,” he suspected.
Following the sharing of the post, someone suggested that the voice heard on the finale was that of Slade.
“They all leak stuff to the bloggers. In all the franchises. However the difference with Tamra is when every podcaster or a blogger interviews her she straight up comes out and says what she has to say boldly … We see it in the replays. Why would she ‘leak’ things that she says out right? Even on their Two Ts in a Pod. Gretchen and Slade clearly set this up and that voice sounds like Slade,” they alleged.
But Gretchen denied it, suggesting there is proof to the contrary.
“It’s not Slade [and] all the cast [and] production can verify that,” Gretchen replied.
Another fan said that while they didn’t believe that Gretchen had “liked” the homophobic and anti-abortion rights posts, they didn’t understand how the screenshots could’ve been manufactured.
“If you watch they said they found the original posts and they were not showing Gretchen liking them, I think it gets exposed at the reunion that the [screenshots] had been faked,” someone replied.
And after seeing the second fan’s comment, Gretchen confirmed, “Yep.”
Then, after Scheana reacted to Zack’s video with a series of clapping emojis, someone else asked, “So are bloggers going to be the main topic on every housewives show now?”
“It’s a fabricated post, I didn’t like that … and that is NOT Slade on that phone call,” Gretchen insisted.
Another IG user asked why Tamra was getting heat for “leaking” Gretchen’s supposedly “liked” posts when it was Gretchen who reportedly “liked” them.
“Because as we spoke about this morning, those posts are old. Tamra has known about them for a long time but strategically waited until the finale to use them against Gretchen. Tamra’s circle is surround by MAGA people. But suddenly she takes issue with it, to jab at Gretchen? And then leak it MONTHS before airing?” Zack shared.
Meanwhile, in another video shared on Instagram by Bravo OMG, Gretchen was seen with a Trump hat in a years-old video as she held her daughter, Skylar Gray, now 6.
“Go Trump, go! I got a Trump hat!” Gretchen declared.
Then, after Slade warned her of a Biden hat, she added, “No, burn that one!”
