The retired NBA player and father of six is 7′ 1″
Shaquille O’Neal has no problem with being above average height – with one exception.
The retired NBA player, 51, spoke with PEOPLE for his new commercial promoting Pepsi’s new mini cans. The ad shows him wishing he was “a little bit taller” to the tune of Skee-Lo’s 1995 hit “I Wish I Was A Little Bit Taller.”
In his day-to-day life, “the only time” he wishes he was shorter is “when it comes to driving sports cars,” O’Neal — who is 7′ 1″ — says with a laugh. – That’s the only way.
“They have these Lamborghinis and Ferraris… [and] I used to have to buy two, cook them, spend a crazy amount of money and take off the convertible to get in shape,” he continues.
“But that’s the only time I’ve ever wished I was smaller so I could get into one of these expensive sports cars,” adds O’Neal. “Besides, I never had that thought process.”
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O’Neal’s latest Pepsi ad, officially titled “I Wish,” comes as the brand celebrates its 125th anniversary.
The ad shows the father of six struggling with his height on a plane, as he lies in bed and tries to take a group selfie with friends who aren’t as tall as him, among others.
Near the end of the clip, O’Neal raps along to the revamped song, while Skee-Lo suddenly appears to join his larger-than-life friend.
Pepsi Mini cans are currently available in Original, Zero Sugar, Wild Cherry, Diet and Real Sugar flavors. The 7.5-ounce cans come in six-packs and 10-packs, and the Original and Wild Cherry options are also available in 30-packs.
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Skee-Lo, Shaquille O’Neal.
Pepsi
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O’Neal starred in Pepsi’s “Big Slam” video in 1994.
“Almost 30 years ago we did the ‘Big Slam’ ad, talking about how hard it is to be big, and now we got to revisit this original concept and turn the idea on its head with Pepsi Mini Cans, talking about, ‘I wish I was a little smaller,’ says O’Neal.
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Shaquille O’Neal.
Pepsi
Looking back on the ’90s during his first team-up with Pepsi, O’Neal recalls fond memories from the set, which have been revisited with the new ad.
“I remember the first commercial, the Pepsi people letting me put my little stamp on the commercial,” he explains. “I’ve always had a great relationship with Pepsi, so when they asked me to help them represent and sponsor the Pepsi Mini Cans, I thought it was a great idea.”
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Source: HIS Education