Monique Was Right: How Shannon Sharpe Got Played by White Women

Comedian Mo’Nique once gave NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe some real advice on his dating life, warning him about chasing younger women—especially white women. As recent events have shown, her words turned out to be prophetic.

During a candid podcast conversation, Mo’Nique told Sharpe he needed a mature woman who could take care of him, rather than chasing 20-somethings. She joked that he needed “an old fat gal who can bake cakes and rub his feet,” not a 26-year-old.

Mo’Nique also addressed rumors about Sharpe’s preference for dating white women, saying, “He might throw a white one in there every now and again, and it’s okay, but he always comes back home.” She warned that young women “don’t play fair,” and that Sharpe was at risk of getting burned.

Fast forward to 2025, and Sharpe is now facing a $50 million lawsuit from Gabriella Zuniga, a 20-year-old OnlyFans model he met at a Los Angeles gym when she was 19 and he was 54.

According to court documents, Gabriella alleges that Sharpe pursued her aggressively, repeatedly contacting her and insisting she sign a non-disclosure agreement before they met outside the gym. She claims their relationship began consensually but quickly turned dark, with patterns of intimidation, threats, and even violence.

Gabriella accuses Sharpe of recording intimate acts without her consent and sharing them with others, and details disturbing incidents where he allegedly threatened her safety.

The lawsuit also alleges that Sharpe refused to use protection during sex, became aggressive when she protested, and continued to pursue her after she tried to end the relationship.

Gabriella claims she was humiliated after Sharpe accidentally went live on Instagram during an intimate moment, revealing the relationship to the public. When she tried to cut off contact, she alleges Sharpe confronted and threatened her at the gym.

Sharpe, for his part, has vehemently denied all allegations, calling the lawsuit a “shakedown” orchestrated by attorney Tony Buzbee, whom he accuses of targeting Black men.

Through his lawyer, Sharpe claims the relationship was consensual and that Gabriella’s evidence is heavily edited and misleading.

He also released text messages from Gabriella that suggest she was an enthusiastic participant, including explicit messages about wanting a child with him and requests for money. Sharpe’s legal team says he even attempted to settle the case out of court, but Gabriella refused.

Mo’Nique’s warning—delivered with humor but rooted in wisdom—now seems eerily relevant. She cautioned Sharpe that chasing after young women, especially those with different motives, could lead to trouble.

As Sharpe now finds himself fighting for his reputation and career, it’s clear that sometimes, the best advice comes from those who’ve seen it all before.

In the end, Mo’Nique’s words have aged like fine wine, while Sharpe’s situation has soured. The lesson? Sometimes you need to listen to your elders, settle down, and avoid unnecessary drama.