Super Bowl Memories and Celebrity Encounters — Shaquille O’Neal Recounts Meeting Taylor Swift and Ice Spice, Sparking Amusement and Clarification on New Heights Podcast With Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift

Shaquille O’Neal’s DJ Diesel Persona Sparks Laughter and Discussion on New Heights Podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce

In a recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast, hosted by Jason and Travis Kelce, the conversation took an amusing turn as they welcomed basketball legend and DJ extraordinaire Shaquille O’Neal. Known in the music world as DJ Diesel, O’Neal’s dual career as both a former NBA star and a prominent electronic music producer provided fertile ground for laughter and light-hearted banter.

The episode, which aired on June 4, 2025, featured a clip that quickly went viral on X, capturing a moment where the Kelce brothers and O’Neal discussed his DJing skills and a memorable encounter at the Super Bowl. The conversation humorously explored the idea of O’Neal opening for Taylor Swift, with Jason Kelce quipping, “You opening up for your girlfriend, you’ll be a fucking star,” referring to Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce. This line, in particular, elicited chuckles and highlighted the crossover appeal of O’Neal’s persona in the entertainment industry.

O’Neal’s journey as DJ Diesel has been anything but conventional. After retiring from basketball, he found a new passion in electronic dance music (EDM), performing at major festivals like Tomorrowland 2024 and earning the nickname “Dubstep Dad” among younger fans. His sets at events like Electric Daisy Carnival and his own Shaq’s Bass All Stars festival have solidified his status in the EDM community. The podcast discussion touched on this transition, with O’Neal sharing how DJing provides him with the same adrenaline rush as a playoff game, a sentiment that resonated with the Kelce brothers, known for their own high-stakes athletic careers.

The conversation also delved into O’Neal’s Super Bowl experience, where he met Taylor Swift and Ice Spice. This encounter, which made headlines in February 2024, was revisited with a mix of nostalgia and humor. O’Neal recounted shaking hands with Swift and being more starstruck by Ice Spice, a moment that led to a social media post where he called Ice Spice “so dam fine.” On the podcast, he clarified that his intention was not flirtatious but rather a show of respect, a nuance that added depth to the discussion about celebrity interactions and public perceptions.

The Kelce brothers, known for their down-to-earth approach, engaged O’Neal in a way that balanced admiration with levity. Jason’s comment about O’Neal hyping up the crowd for Swift’s performance imagined a scenario where “Swifties” would be “bouncing off the walls” before her set, a vivid image that captured the podcast’s playful tone. Travis, meanwhile, shared his own perspective on the Super Bowl aftermath, adding to the tapestry of stories that wove together sports, music, and celebrity culture.

This episode of “New Heights” not only showcased O’Neal’s versatility but also highlighted the podcast’s ability to bridge different worlds. The viral clip on X, with over 193,000 views, underscored the public’s fascination with these unexpected intersections of fame. As O’Neal continues to tour as DJ Diesel and the Kelce brothers navigate their post-football endeavors, moments like these remind fans of the enduring appeal of authentic, unscripted conversations among icons from diverse fields.

In the end, the laughter and camaraderie on display were a testament to the power of shared experiences, whether on the basketball court, the DJ booth, or the podcast microphone. As O’Neal himself might say, it’s all about finding that next rush, and for a moment, the “New Heights” podcast provided just that.