Shaquille O’Neal gave ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl advice on how to navigate fame

Shaquille O’Neal gives the ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl some sage advice… on how to deal with her newfound celebrity status.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ… when Shaq and Hailey Welch connected last weekend in Nashville, the NBA legend started dropping knowledge.

We’re told Shaq has given Hailey a bunch of tips on how to deal with fame… and advises her to keep a smart team around because people will come out of the woodwork to try to take advantage of her.

Our sources say that in the conversation, Hailey showed Shaq some of the hateful comments she’s been getting in response to her viral video… with Shaq telling her to ignore the haters because none of them really know her .

As we reported… Shaq and Hailey partied bee Jon Bon Jovi‘s new joint in Music City the night after she was pulled on stage Zach Bryan‘s show in Nashville.

After Shaq saw Hailey with Zach, our sources say he told his team he wanted them to contact her so she could show up at his DJ gig at Bon Jovi’s house… and that’s how the meeting went.

Shaq and Hailey, we’re told, chopped it up for about an hour … and after their conversation, Hailey considers Shaq a friend and someone who really cares about her.

It wasn’t all talk… Shaq also brought Hailey into the DJ booth during his set, and when she came out the crowd erupted. Remember, she knows how to have a good time. 😜

While Shaq helps Hailey navigate fame, it sounds like he didn’t teach her how to navigate the DJ booth… because he stepped on her foot at one point!!!