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Left Dumbfounded by 7ft Giant Shaquille O’Neal, 28YO YouTuber Reflects on Bizarre Encounter With Lakers Legend and Steve Aoki

Published 08/13/2023, 9:50 AM EDT

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Shaquille O’Neal has the ability to leave anyone starstruck. Even Internet stars with four million followers. One YouTube-famous star recalled his chance encounter with the four-time champion. As usual, Shaq’s physical stature and larger-than-life personality left quite the impression. It even made the influencer forget about the other celebrity who facilitated the meeting. British-born influencer, Vikkstar has entertained millions with his online antics for a decade.

He moves in celebrity circles but can still turn into a fan around them. Recently, he met Diesel and that led to a hilarious encounter which he revealed on his show.

Vikkstar recalls his unplanned meeting with Shaquille O’Neal

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Vikram Singh Barn, better known as Vikkstar, is a YouTuber with over 7.6 million subscribers. The British gamer’s popularity soared when he became a fourth panelist on the Sidemen. And he told his co-hosts about meeting a huge (pun intended) celebrity for the first time recently. Vik was at Tomorrowland in Belgium in July that had a star-studded lineup. Among the sensational performers was EDM god, Steve Aoki. Despite his busy schedule, Aoki caught up with Vik.

As Vik recalled to his fellow Sidemen, he has met the DJ before. And this run-in was extra special due to an unexpected guest.

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While Vik was coolly hanging out with Aoki, none other than Shaquille O’Neal intruded. “I was chatting with Steve Aoki, and he [O’Neal] pulls up.” This is the point where his co-hosts teased him for casually name-dropping his celebrity friends.

Expectedly, the Los Angeles Lakers legend’s stature was hard to miss. “Dude is huge,” Vik said. “Straightaway, he comes over. ‘Hey man, nice to meet you. And the way he leaned in to shake my hand…” This is when Vik demonstrates Shaq exaggeratedly dipping for a handshake.

His fellow Sidemen and fans wanted to see a photo of Vik beside Shaq to compare sizes. Unfortunately, Vik couldn’t muster the courage to ask O’Neal for a photo. “I didn’t want to be that guy,” he admitted.

Nonetheless, Vik was left impressed by Shaq. He greeted everyone who was with Aoki, including Vik and his fiancee, even though he didn’t know them. “He’s just a nice, polite [guy]…” 

O’Neal beefed with Steve Aoki

While Shaq was a true gentleman with Vik who is virtually unknown to him, his meet-up with Steve Aoki was interesting. If you’ve kept up with Shaq lore, you’d know that The Big Aristotle was previously in a silly feud with Aoki.

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In a video both shared on Instagram, Aoki smacked the giant upside his head. Then Shaq warned him he will have his vengeance.

That is yet to happen though. Around the time of Tomorrowland, DJ Diesel and DJ Aoki patched up. They provided the proof shot on Instagram, hugging like real bros.

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It’s all in jest of course. Shaquille O’Neal and Steve Aoki have had multiple collaborations in the past and work well together. Fans have a prayer circle going for another collaboration between them. But since Vikkstar’s story, fans want a collaboration between these two. What do you think about that?

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Written by:

Caroline John

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Caroline John is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. She has been covering athletes outside the sports arena since the start of her reporting career. A writer at heart, she graduated with a degree in journalism from a reputed university.
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Edited by:

Aakash Nair