Ochocinco as Lady Gaga: Matching 10 Athletes to Music Divas

Athletes and Divas.

Love them or hate them they have the uncanny ability to keep fans and haters fixated. Whether it's by watching them excel at their sport or succeed on stage.

As some of these athletes and divas have come to know. When you're famous, between your professional and personal highs and lows -- everything's fair game.

Here are ten athletes that are living parallel lives to ten music divas.

Shaquille O'Neal and ...

A four-time NBA Champion, 15-time NBA All-Star and arguably the most dominant big man to ever play the game.

After breaking into the league with the Orlando Magic, his decision to sign with the Lakers as a free agent sent shockwaves throughout the league.

It was his tenure with the Lakers that has been the most successful portion of his career. Paired with Kobe Bryant, the duo went on to collect three consecutive NBA titles from 2000-to-2003.

The O'Neal-Bryant relationship was constantly scrutinized by media and became "A Public Affair" that ended when O'Neal was traded away by the Lakers.

O'Neal landed on his feet in Miami, but over the last two seasons has bounced from Phoenix to Cleveland. Teaming up with superstars Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash and LeBron James at each stop, respectively.

His music diva match has also had to make her own adjustments after her high-profile three-year marriage ended in divorce.

Jessica Simpson

Just like Shaq, Jessica Simpson has been targeted by the press for putting on some weight over the last few years.

The term "Jessica jinx" was even coined by fans who were holding Simpson responsible for her then-boyfriend, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's inability to deliver a Super Bowl to Dallas in 2007 and 2008.

Is there a Shaq Curse?

Ask LeBron and Steve Nash.

With her Romo relationship now over. Jessica is back doing reality television.

Reportedly happy as a size "4," her new show "The Price of Beauty" airs on VH1.

Andre Agassi and ...

"No Doubt" -- Andre Agassi is one of the greatest tennis players of all-time. He is the winner of all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal.

Agassi first arrived into the tennis scene as a teenager. During his early years Andre was known for his trademark long hair, flashy clothes and bad boy persona.

Later in his career, an older and more mature Agassi shaved his head and was able to claim the number one seed in the tennis rankings

He went on to marry tennis great Steffi Graf and they have two children.

First born, Jaden Gil Agassi, is sure to be a Grand Slam threat early next decade.

Agassi's feats in life and in his sport parallels the path of one music diva...

Gwen Stefani

Gwen Stefani, who is married to fellow musician, and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale.

Like the Agassi's, the couple also has two children. I wonder if music will be in their kids' future?

As a teenager she first broke into the music scene as the lead-singer to alternative band No Doubt.

The band and Stefani became became widely popular, culminating in
several Grammy awards for their albums.

After a short break from No Doubt, Stefani reinvented herself as a solo artist and continued to be successful.

Just like Agassi, she has a patented look: platinum blonde hair, bright red lipstick and arched eyebrows

Allen Iverson and ...

Allen Iverson, a four-time NBA scoring champion and winner of the NBA MVP in 2001.

After playing for four different teams over the last two seasons it is clear that his Hall of Fame caliber career has now taken a downturn.

In his return to the Sixers after a much publicized fallout, Iverson has been a shadow of his former self.

Rumors around the league is that Iverson has been dealing with several issues including alcohol problems, gambling issues and a failing marriage.

No wonder he's been "So Emotional".

A similar fall from grace can be paralleled to music diva...

Whitney Houston

Multiple Grammy Award winner Whitney Houston.

Who has had her own share of personal issues, including a bitter divorce with Bobby Brown and a self-admitted drug and alcohol problem.

During a recent concert, she was visibly struggling on stage and no longer resembling her star diva form.

In fact, some fans in Australia walked out on a Whitney concert claiming that Whitney's voice was no longer the same.

Don't believe me?

Listen for yourself:

Kobe Bryant and ...

This superstar has four championship rings and a slew of NBA personal achievement awards on his resume.

After coming into the Lakers as a kid fresh out of high school, he has matured into gritty and determined basketball player with a killer instinct.

Opposing teams "Ring The Alarm" when Kobe strikes to close out games in the fourth quarter.

During his younger years, Kobe was blamed for the breakup of the Shaq-Kobe Lakers. A distinction that he is not very fond of.

Now 31 years old, and two wins away from returning to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year. Kobe has once again found himself part of another budding NBA dynasty with the Lakers.

His music diva match?

Beyonce Knowles

Beyonce Knowles, who like Kobe first gained fame as a teenager, while she was a member of a singing trio Destiny's Child.

And just like Kobe, she received a large part of blame by fans and media for the split of her original group Destiny's Child.

Despite that Knowles remains a popular solo artist and continues to win several awards and have a successful career.

Manny Ramirez and ...

Manny Ramirez, a two time World Series Champion as a member of the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007, is no stranger to controversy.

Manny was embraced by fans in Los Angeles for his "Play" on the field and his charismatic personality, immediately after being traded to the Dodgers.

In 2009, on the first-year of a two-year $45 million contract, Manny tested positive for a performance enhancing drug and suspended for 50 games.

Sources from Manny's camp maintain that the banned drug was prescribed to him to improve his performance in the bedroom and now on the field.

The drug was later identified as female fertility pill, hCG, also used to enhance testosterone levels for steroid users.

Was Manny trying to get pregnant?

Jennifer Lopez

No.

But it's been no secret that music diva Jennifer Lopez was looking forward to starting a family after marrying Marc Anthony.

In fact, it is rumored that Lopez went in to a clinic for in vitro fertilization to conceive her two twins.

A rumor which she denies.

Who do you believe? Manny or JLo?

Stephen Curry and ...

You have to admit it's quite "The Climb" to go from Davidson College in North Carolina to becoming a Rookie of the Year candidate after being picked seventh in the NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.

But this young sensation has an advantage considering he's inherited his father's touch -- Del Curry -- from behind the three-point line.

Having a well-known father is something he shares with this music diva....

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus -- whose father is country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus.

Like Stephen Curry, whose game has been impacted by his basketball bloodlines, Miley Cyrus also comes from an entire family full of musicians.

Both are young with bright futures and long careers to look forward to.

Terrell Owens and ...

Terrell Owens, always a strong candidate for end-zone theatrics and off-field distractions.

For T.O. his career seems like an endless string of "Oops I Did It Again" moments.

He has earned a reputation for repeatedly alienating his teammates and having a negative effect on team chemistry.

In 2006, after reportedly suffering from a round of depression, Owens overdosed on pain-killer Hydrocodone. He later denied rumors that he was suicidal.

His music diva counterpart seems like a mirror image...

Britney Spears

Britney Spears.

Who has has had several controversial and publicized run-ins with the media..

In one instance, she lashed out at a photographer with an umbrella.

Her moment of rage was similar to the way Terrell Owens spat on the face of cornerback DeAngelo Hall during a game.

Owens later explained he just became frustrated.

Michael Jordan and ...

The Greatest NBA Player of All-Time.

Michael Jordan dominated the NBA as a member of the Chicago Bulls winning six championships.

The man was known to "Jump" from the free-throw line to dunk on opponents.

His career as a player has spanned over three decades from 1984-2003, Despite a pair of brief retirements, he gained worldwide fame as being the league's best player and scorer.

The impact he has had on the game of basketball is immeasurable and his legend continues to grow.

Every player in the league today grew up watching Michael Jordan.

His music diva counterpart?

Madonna

None other than Madonna: The Greatest Pop Music Diva of All-Time.

Just like Jordan her music career started in the 80's and she has shown an ability to continuously reinvent herself, which has allowed her to flourish to this day.

Madonna has done for pop music what Jordan has done for basketball.

Her musical influence and legacy can easily be seen and noticed in today's younger generation of music divas.

Devin Hester and ...

Devin Hester is known throughout the NFL for his "Nasty" propensity to elude tacklers on his way to returning kicks for touchdowns.

However, he became a YouTube sensation for this particular play against the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

The Eagles defender was so determined to tackle Hester, he grabbed a hold of his pants and wouldn't let go.

Unlike one famous incident in Super Bowl XXXVIII, I am convinced this was legitimately an accident...

Janet Jackson

Pop star Janet Jackson will forever be associated with this moment during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Perhaps Justin Timberlake's hands just slipped while trying to tackle her.

Ya right...

It was the wardrobe malfunction that shocked the world.

Ochocinco and ...

Chad Ochocinco has showed television viewers that he can "Just Dance" both in the NFL end zone and in the ballroom on Dancing With The Stars.

With 72 receptions and 9 TDs last season, you know he's got the hands and plenty of moves.

There is no doubting his ability and talent.

His music diva counterpart is Stefani Germanotta but is more popularly known as...

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga -- a true combination of both style and substance.

She's got the nod as a performer and as a vocalist, taking the pop music industry by storm over the last two years.

Where some people fall short, Ochocinco and Lady Gaga don't.

I mean these two are so cool, they don't even go by their birth names anymore.