When it comes to playing Santa, Shaquille O’Neal goes all in—and no, he’s not here for the cookies and milk. In a new interview with PEOPLE magazine, the Big Aristotle recently opened up about his approach to the holiday season, his family traditions, and his starring role in a hilariously chaotic holiday commercial for Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread Mini Cans.
First things first: Shaq doesn’t accept gifts. Ever. “I always tell my family, ‘Show me a movie where Santa receives a gift, and I’ll let you buy me a gift,’” he joked in a recent interview. His no-gift policy dates back to 1992 when he became the family breadwinner. “As long as everybody else is happy, I’m happy,” Shaq explains.
And he’s serious—when his kids or anyone else gives him a present, he doesn’t even open it. Instead, the unopened gifts get stored away in a room that’s become a 30-year archive of untouched holiday cheer. “I’ll open it up one day,” he quips. Classic Shaq move.
These days, gift-giving in the O’Neal household is easier than when his kids were little. “Now all they want is cash,” he laughs. But when his kids were younger, Shaq’s version of Santa shopping was a last-minute power play. “I’d go into Toys R Us at like 11:58, right before they closed, and just wipe them out,” he recalls. “They didn’t want me coming in early because they knew I’d buy all the toys, so they let me grab the leftovers instead.”
Speaking of holiday traditions, Shaq’s latest gig as the face of Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread Mini Cans is pure comedic gold. In a parody commercial called “The Mini Holiday Baking Show,” Shaq swaps his basketball jersey for an apron and takes on the role of G.B.O.A.T.—Greatest Baker of All Time.
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The minute-long ad features Shaq channeling his competitive spirit in the kitchen, hilariously sabotaging fellow bakers and pulling off moves only Shaq could—like cracking eggs on his head and shooting gumdrops into a mixing bowl.
“See what you forgot, smart guy, was the baking soda!” Shaq declares at one point, smashing his gingerbread house before throwing crushed cookies into the trash. Naturally, his “perfect” creation ends with flames shooting out of the oven and Shaq handing a fire extinguisher to a rival baker. In true Shaq fashion, the masterpiece turns out to be… a can of Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread.
“Man, it was fun shooting,” Shaq told PEOPLE. “I had fun with the people there, and it got us in the holiday spirit.” While he may not have seen The Great British Baking Show, Shaq nailed the over-the-top baking competition vibe.
Here’s the catch: you won’t find Pepsi Zero Sugar Gingerbread Mini Cans at your local store. To score a can, you’ll need to head to Pepsi’s TikTok Shop and purchase two 10-packs of mini cans in another flavor. Alternatively, you can enter to win some of the limited-edition soda on Pepsi’s official website through December 11.
While Shaq might not be loading up on gingerbread soda for himself (remember, he’s Santa, not a gift-receiver), he’s all about spreading holiday cheer. Whether it’s starring in over-the-top commercials, giving back to his community, or just making sure his family is happy, Shaq proves he’s not just a Hall of Famer—he’s the ultimate Holiday MVP.
So, if you’re looking for a little extra holiday fun this season, grab a Pepsi Mini Can, kick back, and let Shaq Claus remind you why he’s the gift that keeps on giving. 🎄🏀🎅