The 29-year-old reality TV personality came out to the basketball great, 62, in 2010, and at first, the latter wasn't too. Go do my, Magic Johnson Discusses His Son's Coming Out. ", A few years later, EJ finally put the public speculation to rest. Michael Jordan Once Rejected an Epic $1 Million 1-on-1 Matchup Against Magic Johnson. However, Magic's playing career was suddenly cut short in 1991 when he learned that he tested positive for HIV. EJ Johnson - Wikipedia "Magic got a jumpstart on experimental drugs before they were released to the general public," Lieb told Life's Little Mysteries, "but there were many people in clinical trials benefitting at the same time.". He played on the 1992 NBA All-Star Team as well as the "Dream Team" at the Olympics. Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic. One of Johnson's doctors who helped pioneer the treatment placed him on the then-experimental drug cocktail in 1994, about a year and a half before it came into widespread use in 1996, according to the Daily Beast (opens in new tab). Either way, there's no doubt that this celebrity kid gets a lot of attention. He actually helped me get there. "I feel like I wasn't cut out for it," she told SSENSE Magazine in April 2017. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much EJshort for Earvin Johnson III, named after his fathermade his debut as a reality TV star on the E! Thirty Years Later, Magic Johnson Is Still Doing Lifesaving Work When the former "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" cast member came out to his father, the longtime NBA legend did not take it so well. That was a very, very hard thing for me. Rather than deny the existence of his boyfriend, the then-20-year-old star rolled with the punches. Not only does a low viral count stave off symptoms of HIV and AIDS, but it also slashes the odds of a randomly mutated copy of the virus emerging that can prove resistant to the therapy. The second enzyme, known as protease, creates new, functional HIV particles by cutting up the proteins produced by our hijacked cellular machinery. Earvin "EJ" Johnson III is the son of NBA Hall of famer and Los Angeles Lakers legendary point guard, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a five-time NBA Champion, entrepreneur and Earletha "Cookie". Magic had been married to his wife, Cookie, not more than two months before he made his announcement, and questions surrounded Johnsons sexuality as a result. "I said that because I had tested HIV-positive, I was retiring from the NBA. During that same 2016 episode of "EJNYC," the reality star told his therapist that the cover story made him consider transitioning. His approach acted as a "public-health catalyst," wrote Alexander Cardazzi, Joshua C. Martin, and Zachary Rodriguez in their 2021 paper "Information Avoidance and Celebrity Exposure: The Effect of "Magic" Johnson on AIDS Diagnoses and Mortality in the U.S. (opens in new tab)" for West Virginia University, as they attempted to quantify the impact his announcement in 1991 had on heterosexual men getting tested for HIV. I feel like this is the body Im supposed to be in. He is known for wearing both men's and womens clothing and putting his own spin on it. Magic Johnson dominated the court as one of professional basketball's best players for 13 years. EJ went on to say, "Now, since everybody's talking about Caitlyn Jenner and being transgender, people are so quick to say, 'Oh, just because you're dressing like that means that you're going to transition to become a woman.'". This was the first time he was out in public as gay. section: | slug: magic-johnson-opens-up-on-living-with-hiv-30-years-after-his-diagnosis | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | Today he is becoming a fashionista who is looking to give a stronger voice to the transgender community through his own experience. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. Magic Johnson might be a legendary basketball player, but to his three kids, his most important role is dad. Jonathan is the Editor of All About History magazine, running the day to day operations of the brand. Since nobody in the Johnson family had ever addressed EJ's sexual preference at that time, TMZ published the photo like it was a scoop. In 2018, EJ Johnson and his mom Cookie Johnson made an appearance on Willow and Jada Pinkett Smiths Red Table Talk, where Cookie revealed that when EJ came out to his parents, it was a little tough because Magic Johnson wasnt supportive at first. New Orleans rapper Awood 'Mr. Magic' Johnson has died He was 33. As I grew older, as my wife talked to me, I couldnt [judge EJ]. Nov 6, 2021. Johnson and his wife Cookie Johnson tied the knot in 1991, one year before the Los Angeles Lakers player retired. E.J. As it turns out, he would be one of the foremost voices in educating the public, including the notion that heterosexuals could contract the disease. Magic Johnson was invited to participate as a member of the Western Conference during the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the MVP after scoring 25 points and adding nine assists in a feel-good. Magic does have a relationship with his son EJ. The star revealed he was "almost 100 percent positive" that a transition was out of the cards. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, addressed his gender identity Wednesday during an interview on E!News' Just the Sip. Johnson attended New York University where he studied hospitality with a focus on event planning and design, according to various different profiles. Needless to say, basketball legends Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson ceased being true friends a long time ago. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". Magic Johnson explains his abrupt resignation from Lakers During his time on the show, EJ could be seen yachting, shopping at Chanels flagship store in Manhattan and driving in the $120,000 Mercedes his parents bought him for this 21st birthday. The NBA tweeted that the league mourns the passing of Michael Johnson., Michael was admired by so many around the league for his remarkable courage and perseverance. EJ, 30, came out. Legit.ng recently published Emily Faye Miller's biography. Magic added that he just needed more time. The story of how the Lakers won a title in his first season and went on to win many more over the next decade is chronicled in HBO's latest series, 'Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.' I always say that if you feel like youre not in the right body, then by all means get to where you want to be I dont feel that Im in the wrong body. Johnson confessed in an interview: I think it's all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be or what you want them to become. Because there are so many people who try to discriminate against them, so they need you to support them. ?Brandon Scoop B Robinson (@ScoopB) September 4, 2019. Unlike other former professional athletes' kids who have followed in their footsteps onto the court or field, Magic Johnson's children have all forged their own paths. In 1992, he returned to play in the All-Star Game, not without some opposition, and later that year played on America's "Dream Team" in the. But some small number remain, and over time, those HIV cells replicate, attacking the immune system in seven stages, according to the National Institute of Health (opens in new tab)'s HIV info page. It was kind of like an 'aha moment,' the realization that people like that still exist," EJ told The Daily Beastthat same year, adding, "He's a walking joke. His brother, Andre Johnson has a different mother. At the time, EJ was still a student at New York University. Walton was fired and the team eventually hired former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel to . Before the Los Angeles Lakers' final game of the 2018-19 season, Magic Johnson stunned the team and the NBA world at large by stepping down as the team's president of basketball operations.. Everything has gone right. This is a gradual process known as the HIV life cycle and it is by blocking the virus at each stage of this process that it can be prevented from advancing to AIDS. She was 26 years old when she was found dead above the Major Deegan Expressway. When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. Mental health continues to be a field that we hope to understand and appreciate more. Magic Johnson has remained a central part of the Lakers franchise in his life since, serving as a coach and executive, as well as a player when he came out of retirement for the 1996 season. An insider told ET,"The cast was upset because they wanted at least one more season to give closure to their storylines," but it sounds like EJ was ready to be done with all things E! Where Are Magic Johnson's Parents Now? - The Cinemaholic "There are still people alive and kicking and doing very well 20 and 30 years after infection.". EJ Johnson is a media personality and socialite best known as Magic Johnson's son. ESPN and Fox aired primetime tributes to Johnson's son Michael, who died Friday at the age of 33 after a lifelong struggle with muscular dystrophy. It is not known if Johnson is among this "scarce breed," as Lieb called them, but more than likely "without medications, he'd be progressing.". Magic Johnson | Biography, Documentary, & Facts | Britannica Not only has Magic Johnson carried on the way he likely envisioned prior to a premature retirement, but also he remains one of the games best ambassadors. News, The "#RichKids of Beverly Hills" alum opens up about the type of men he's attracted to, his father Magic Johnson and his late friend Lyric McHenry. However, EJ had already discussed his sexual orientation with his family. The death fake caused the Twittersphere to go crazy, as usual. Magic Johnson and His Family Including Son EJ - Yahoo! NBA legend Magic Johnsons son, EJ Johnson, is on his way of becoming a fashion icon as well as a voice for the transgender community. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Heres how it works. ESPN's Chris Fowler spoke over a video montage . When talking about his positionas the Celebrity Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade in 2014 (via E! Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. While Magics decision to retire was clear enough, the implications were still rather unknown. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic Johnson discussed living with HIV three decades after he was initially diagnosed with the virus prior to the 1991-92 NBA season. NY 10036. On Nov. 8, 1991, the day after the Los Angeles Lakers star announced he had been diagnosed with the virus, Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times (opens in new tab) wrote: "Many people [diagnosed] with HIV live many years with few serious effects on their health. That's what happened with Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas, whose relationship began to deteriorate after the Lakers and Pistons met in back-to-back NBA Finals in 1988 and 1989. ", "It's a totally new mindset," EJ told Page Sixthat September. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZ essentially outed him, per TheThings. He appeared on CNNs This Is Life in 2018 and opened up about his identity. They should probably start highlighting people who are doing it in the streets, as opposed to whatever celebrity they're putting in a skirt for five seconds just for publicity.". RELATED: See Shaquille O'Neal's Daughter Amirah, Who's an NCAA Basketball Star. According to a 2021 profile of Magic, his mother, a devout Christian, felt the nickname was "blasphemous.". In addition to EJ, the Johnsons adopted Elisa Johnson when she was three days old in 1995. Magic Johnson Investments He has had partnerships previously with Starbucks, 24-Hour Fitness, T.G.I Fridays, and AMC Theatres. "We love him and EJ is amazing, so you gotta support your child. He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, entertainment, sports and gaming with his friend Mike Dupree. Theres so many factors. News' recap, EJ urged his sister to call it quits with Alcaraz, and it looks like she eventually heeded his advice. 2022 Galvanized Media. Johnsons friends and rivals all embraced him on the floor, as if the barriers initially created by the disease had been totally wiped away. Johnson insisted, even then, that he would be around the league and the Lakers. EJs real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. Yet through all the ups and downs, he remains the same bubbly person he has always been. Today, two of the six original Magic Johnson-branded theaters remain open, in Harlem in New York City and suburban Washington, D.C., though he doesn't own either of them. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Nowadays, EJ Johnson seems to be living his dreams. The NBA regular season had just started, with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls looking to defend their championship. Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. Maybe you've heard about him on the internet or in a tabloid headline. In fact, it was made out of the same material, and the styling was near-identical. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at "Johnson went on to attack the HIV stigma with the same passion he displayed on the court, launching the Magic Johnson Foundation to raise awareness about the virus, then pushing Congress and the White House to spend money to fight the disease," wrote Nelson Oliveira for CBS News (opens in new tab). Speaking withThe New York Times, EJ shed light on what went wrong. We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael. There was one drug then, now we have 30-something drugs.". Earlier this year, Magic and Cookie Johnson's 20-year-old son, EJ, caused a stir when TMZ videotaped him walking down Sunset Boulevard holding hands with a male friend. Related: Winning Time: Why Magic Johnson Is At The Doctor's In 1991 & What Happened. Im just very comfortable in my own skin. "I say dance around in your closet when no one is looking until the time is right," he toldBET, advising readers to "just make sure you're safe." Updated Cookie said, Look in the mirror. I said, Youre right. Because Im proud of who I am. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { "It's almost like they're attacking me for being me and so to that I can only say, 'Well, I can only be myself, so I don't know really what you want me to do,'" he said. It was seemingly just like any other in basketball circles. When he spoke to The New York Times about the incident in 2017, he noted that TMZ reached out to his father for a comment on the photos of his son holding hands with another young man. Turner Sports, in a statement posted on social media, said: We are heartbroken over the passing of Cheryl and Ernies beloved son, Michael, a true hero who uplifted and brought joy to everyone he touched. Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, EJNYC, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and most recently The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder are just a few of the TV programs in which EJ has made appearances. EJ singled out the show's producers, claiming, "Everyone was just worried about me being 'relatable,' and even that word made me want to gag.". Magic posts about his wife and kids often on social media. The HIV-AIDS epidemic began in earnest in the 1980s, but there was still very little knowledge as to how the disease was contracted or what it meant in terms of contagiousness and long-term impact. After Magic Johnson's scuffle with Ron Boone in Episode 4 of 'Winning Time', you might be wondering what happened in the Lakers' locker room. EJ Johnson, Magic Johnsons Son: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. He has six siblings and three half-siblings, all of whose names are unknown. Put on my outfit. Currently, EJ is reportedly single. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas squash decades-long feud in tearful Magic Johnson, whom they drafted in 1979, was a vital cog in their championship runs. who hasnt thought about it.. Magic recalls their first meeting some 20 years ago as a moment that further focused his commitment to HIV/AIDS awareness : "Hydeia means the world to me," Johnson said. "Feeling all the elation feels today," EJ wrote on Instagram, sharing the news that he'd voice Michael Collins. When asked about the fashion industry's embrace of more androgynous styles and expression, EJ said, "I don't think the fashion world has made any type of major huge strides, where we need to start commending anybody yet. Magic Johnson Retirement: Why Did Magic Johnson Retire - ClutchPoints How the Magic Johnson-led Lakers' Showtime dynasty nearly never happened The key weapon in the beginning was a regimen of three or four antiretroviral drugs, collectively known as antiretroviral therapy, or ART. About a year later, EJ had a similar heart-to-heart chat with his father. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, At 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Johnson was a mountain of a man, the biggest, most powerful point guard anyone had ever seen. It is precisely these kinds of drugs that have helped Magic Johnson manage the disease and have made HIV a chronic health condition rather than a fatal disease. What's the real deal with EJ Johnson? Find out why so many people want to know about the famous father-son duo and why Magic apologized to EJ several years ago. I could really feel the love. I like my body. show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, which aired from 2014 to 2016. "When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents," the former basketball player said. The fact that the gay man is the son of legendary NBA player, Magic Johnson . ': What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series through the Years, Dwyane Wade's Trans Daughter Knew Her Gender Identity at 3 & Revealed Her Boyfriend at 14 Inside Zaya's Life, Millionaire's Son Kicks Wife and Baby Out into the Cold, Loses His Inheritance the Next Day Story of the Day, Twins Send Dad to Nursing Home, Learn He Left Inheritance to Janitor Who Is Their Carbon Copy Story of the Day. However, a 2017 article in Urbo states that Johnson graduated from the prestigious school with a degree in event management and design with an interest in fashion, journalism, and media. Would love your thoughts, please comment. While Johnson can now attest to 30 years of life after being diagnosed with HIV, his journey living with the disease has been far from easy. scientific studies and medical journals. BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: (L-R) EJ Johnson and Lea Michele speak onstage during the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 28, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. When the former Rich Kids of Beverly Hills cast member came out to his father, the longtime NBA legend did not take it so well. Inside The Lives Of Magic Johnson's Children - NickiSwift.com He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. He shared that it was his mother who taught him a lot about brands like Chanel and Versace. EJ dropped the bombshell during an episode of "EJNYC," where he claimed that Elisa's then-boyfriend, French model Anthony Alcaraz, was the same guy he had previously kissed in a club. You have to be prepared for people to say certain things about you, and it just wasn't for me. Am I gonna die? When you're close with your siblings, you don't ever really consider that one day you might be competing for boyfriends. Twenty-five years ago today, Magic Johnson announced he had HIV According to the Associated Press, EJ Johnson attended New York University with an event management and design major while minoring in fashion, journalism, and media. The first enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, turns the virus' genetic instructions encoded in a single RNA strand into double-stranded DNA. You need to get creative.". After celebrating his 28th birthday, EJ took to Instagram once more to post a series of pictures on his stories. Magic Johnson, Cookie Johnson and EJ Johnson attend "To Kill A Mockingbird" Broadway Opening Night at Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018 in New York City. His full name is Earvin Johnson III, but he goes by EJ professionally. Presenting your official soundtrack to falling (or staying) in love. ", According to E! That doesn't mean it was always easy, however. A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:53pm PST. "I always had dreams and plans of doing my own thing and creating my own image, so it came a little sooner than I thought it would but this is still something I knew I would be going through and would have to experience.". A New York Times review of the show referred to EJ as the most likeable character on the show. The Truth About Magic Johnson's Relationship With His Son EJ Johnson, now 60, is currently the CEO and the founder of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), an investment conglomerate valued at an estimated $1 billion dollars, according to its website. "It was a little tough", said Cookie during the interview. In honor of Father's Day last year, he posted a photo of Magic, Cookie, Gigi, and Andre, along with a heartfelt tribute. It was a little tough, said Cookie during the interview. She was a part of her brother's EJNYC show in 2016, but Elisa, who is now 26, has said that she didn't exactly enjoy being on reality TV.