A cold and detached flight attendant stood firmly at the entrance of the first-class cabin, her sharp eyes scanning each passenger with precision. Olivia Green, a seasoned flight attendant, crossed her arms as she blocked the path of a man who didn’t seem to fit in with the luxury of the first-class experience. Dressed in an oversized puffer jacket, ripped jeans, and a pair of beat-up sneakers, the man looked anything but sophisticated. Little did she know, standing before her was Big Shaq, the viral rap sensation, comedian, and now a silent investor in the airline.
Shaquille O’Neal had recently expanded his career into the business world as a shareholder in Sky Horizons, an airline known for its premium services. Today, he wanted to experience the airline service firsthand—not as a VIP, but as an unassuming passenger. He wanted to observe how passengers were treated when they weren’t recognized or didn’t fit into the glamorous image of first class.
Arriving at Heathrow Airport early that morning, Shaq’s outfit was far from flashy. He wore a baggy puffer coat, a simple gray hoodie, and trainers that had clearly seen better days. Carrying an old duffel bag with a fraying strap, he wore a cheerful, nonchalant expression. Though his tall frame and distinctive swagger were hard to miss, his deliberately casual attire made most people overlook him, assuming he was just another regular traveler.
Standing at the gate was Olivia, her perfectly styled bun and crisp uniform embodying professionalism. However, her icy demeanor often left passengers feeling uneasy. As Shaq approached, Olivia immediately noticed his casual appearance. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she scanned him from head to toe.
“Excuse me, sir,” Olivia said, her tone clipped. “This area is for first-class passengers only.”
Shaq gave her a wide grin, his signature humor shining through. “Morning, Miss! I’ve got a first-class ticket.” He pulled the crumpled paper from his pocket and handed it to her.
Olivia’s eyes narrowed as she examined the ticket. The flimsy printout didn’t match the pristine, embossed tickets she usually saw from first-class travelers. Her skeptical gaze shifted back to Shaq. “Did you book this yourself?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. “Or was this some kind of last-minute upgrade?”
Nearby passengers began whispering, casting judgmental glances at Shaq. The tension in the air was palpable, but Shaq remained calm. “Nah, man’s booked it proper,” he replied, his tone light-hearted but firm.
Olivia hesitated before scanning the ticket again. When the machine beeped, confirming its validity, she masked her surprise with an indifferent nod. “Enjoy your flight,” she said flatly, stepping aside to let him through. But her stiff demeanor made it clear that she still doubted he belonged there.
As Shaq entered the first-class cabin, he couldn’t help but notice the stark divide in how passengers were treated. Olivia greeted the suited businessmen and elegantly dressed women with warm smiles and offers of champagne, but when it came to him, her service was cold and detached. Even the hot towel she handed him was noticeably less pristine than those received by others.
Shaq smiled to himself, unbothered. He wasn’t here for special treatment; he was here to observe. Olivia, with her rigid attitude and judgmental glare, was unknowingly helping him write the story he had come to experience.
Midway through the flight, Shaq noticed another flight attendant, Katie Parker, moving through the cabin. Unlike Olivia, Katie had a warm and approachable demeanor. Her smile was genuine, and she made every passenger feel valued, regardless of their appearance or status. When she reached Shaq’s seat, she greeted him with the same friendliness she showed to everyone else.
“Hi there! Can I get you something to drink? Water, wine, or champagne?” she asked, her tone kind and inviting.
“Just water, thank you,” Shaq replied, appreciating her lack of bias. Katie nodded and quickly returned with a glass of chilled
Slam dunk? Arbor taps O’Neal for heart failure drug’s first consumer push
Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal partners with Arbor and BiDil to raise awareness about African Americans increased risk for heart failure. (Arbor Pharmaceuticals)
Arbor Pharmaceuticals’ tipoff for consumer marketing enlists former NBA basketball star Shaquille O’Neal as frontman for longtime heart failure drug BiDil. O’Neal is the first spokesperson for the drug, which was approved in conjunction with other heart medicines in 2005 specifically for the treatment of African-American heart failure patients.
Since acquiring it in late 2011, Arbor has mostly marketed the drug only to healthcare providers. But it hasn’t made as much progress as the company expected, Todd Brown, Arbor’s director of marketing for its cardiovascular business, said, so the company is launching the Shaq-backed consumer campaign.
“Part of the solution, in our effort to close the gap, is to mobilize patients and mobilize caregivers … so they can be better self-advocates when they’re in healthcare situations with providers and physicians,” Brown said.
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, means the heart isn’t working as well as it should, and African Americans face higher risks than other groups. Research shows they are 20 times more likely to have heart failure before the age of 50 and are more likely to be hospitalized or die from heart failure than white Americans.
O’Neal, who does not have heart failure, launched the three-year partnership with Arbor in New York in mid-March, doing media interviews with the Today Show, BET and others. He will appear in print, digital and social media marketing for BiDil and star on the campaign website “Shaq Gets Real.”
“Even though I don’t personally have heart failure, helping African Americans with this disease is a cause near and dear to my heart,” he says in an online video that features him playing a basketball game of “heart,” instead of “horse,” against himself.
O’Neal is a bit of celebrity endorser extraordinaire, repping a portfolio of brands including IcyHot, Gold Bond, Carnival Cruises and Krispy Kreme. He recently also signed on with the beleaguered pizza brand Papa John’s. O’Neal told an interviewer last year that he only reps products he believes in and specifically chooses brands that appeal more to the middle class.
