Kerry Washington Reveals That Shaquille O’Neal Slid Into Her DMs On ‘WWHL’: “He’s A Big ‘Scandal’ Fan”

By Samantha Nungesser @samjnungesser
Published Sep. 29, 2023, 1:51 p.m. ET

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Shaquille O’Neal went from shooting hoops to shooting his shot with Kerry Washington. While chatting with Andy Cohen on Thursday night’s (Sept. 28) episode of Watch What Happens Live, the Scandal star revealed that the former NBA player once slid into her DMs.

Washington and Anderson Cooper stopped by The Clubhouse, where they were tapped to play a game of “Textual Behavior.” During the juicy segment, Cohen asked a series of questions about their texting habits.

“Who’s the most famous person to slide into your DMs, wanting to connect as a friend or otherwise?” he asked, to which Washington immediately replied, “Um, Shaq, Shaquille O’Neal. He’s a big Scandal fan. He’s always like, ‘I’ll do anything for Command.'”

For those who don’t know, Command is the title Washington’s character, Olivia Pope, used to refer to her father, played by Joe Morton.

As for Cooper, he confessed that Ricky Martin once messaged him through social media — but only as a friend to congratulate him on having kids.

After another set of questions, Washington — who recently released her memoir Thicker Than Water — name-dropped Oprah Winfrey as her most famous contact. Plus, she said Jennifer Aniston was the last celebrity she texted.

“Yeah, she sent me proof that she had just bought the book,” the actress dished. “It was really cute.”

Washington has been opening up more than ever as she promotes her memoir. Last week, the star revealed on Good Morning America that she contemplated suicide while in the throes of her eating disorder. She also opened up about the moment she found out her dad wasn’t her biological father — and that her parents had used a sperm donor amid their struggles with fertility.

“I’ve never wanted to share my private life for the sake of fame or for the sake of attention,” she told Robin Roberts. “But I feel like this sharing is with purpose.”

Thicker Than Water is out now. Plus, Watch What Happens Live airs Sunday through Thursdays at 10/9c on Bravo.