One thing, of course, was very clear: there had been infidelity on Johnsons part. When TMZ featured EJ Johnsons boyfriend, some were surprised to learn that he is gay. See Magic Johnson's Three Children All Grown Up Today, See Shaquille O'Neal's Daughter Amirah, Who's an NCAA Basketball Star, See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up, eyewear was designed by the youngest Johnson, See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star, See Charles Barkley's Only Daughter All Grown Up. You need to get creative.". However, despite the frenzied headlines and strained family dynamic, EJ was not even aware of his father's illness until he learned about it by accident after stumbling upon a reference to his dad while researching a book report in elementary school. In an interview with The New York Times, he admitted that his mom suspected he may have been gay and tried to initiate the conversation in the past. "The surgery was definitely the best thing that ever happened to me," the star said. The tabloid posted a video of the star holding hands with a man named Alessandro Monetti.. His boardroom pitch wasn't enough to win Schultz over, so he . Andre Johnson is a businessman, podcaster, and proud father of two. Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. But Magic knew that for E.J., coming out to his parents, which happened years ago,. In addition to EJ, the Johnsons adopted Elisa Johnson when she was three days old in 1995. His role as an influencer is a staple in his work that is grounded in gender-flouting. I dont feel the need to transition. Cookie said, Look in the mirror. I said, Youre right. Because Im proud of who I am. "It helped people who were living with not just HIV and AIDS, but with any disease, that you can live on, you can be live a productive life.". Magic Johnson opens up on living with HIV 30 years after his diagnosis Im just very comfortable in my own skin. ", According to E! Heavy.com's Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson details 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know about EJ Johnson, son of NBA Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson. 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. Maybe you've seen him on his E! The singer's two younger daughters are his little lookalikes. "I've always definitely mixed men's and women's fashion in my life, but I never thought that it would raise so many questions about my own gender. "Obviously, my family's always been in the spotlight," EJ told Out in 2014. A subset of integrated HIV provirus remains transcriptionally silent, producing neither viral proteins nor viral progeny, until reactivation by various physiologic stimuli. ", According to BET, he also recognizes how lucky he is to be able to live freely as "a young Black man in the public eye who plays with gender norms." First of all, the celebrity thing who are you here for, are you dating me or are you trying to date my dad?, In August 2018, EJ lost his best friend, Lyric McHenry, to a drug overdose. While appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in April 2017, the host talked to Magic about what kind of advice he would give to a parent whose child comes out. To these days, the whole family supports EJ in every way, as the close and lovely family they all are. All Rights Reserved. Lieb said that in the state of Florida alone, hundreds of patients have lived full lives since being diagnosed with HIV in the early 1980s, when the first confirmed AIDS cases were confirmed in the United States (opens in new tab). On the red carpet, the Johnsons also ran into Samuel L. Jackson, and posed for photos with the Academy Award-winning actor.. After the show, both Magic and his wife raved about the Broadway show . He did have a fashion blog, but it no longer exists. Everyone expected his life to suffer after his diagnosis. scientific studies and medical journals. If one thing's for sure, it's that he's got all the makings of a star, but he's forging his own path away from his father's fame. EJ (Earvin Johnson III) can relate to this all too well. EJ ultimately decided to come out before beginning college at New York University (NYU). "Scarves were really big for men's fashion," EJ explained. In 2017, EJ Johnson got candid with The New York Times about his sports star father's very public journey with HIV, which began when EJ's mother was two months pregnant with him. Michael, who suffered . Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. He is Cookie Johnsons oldest child but Magic Johnsons middle child. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and our family. I Image: Getty Images. Magic Johnson, byname of Earvin Johnson, Jr., (born August 14, 1959, Lansing, Michigan, U.S.), American basketball player who led the National Basketball Association (NBA) Los Angeles Lakers to five championships. 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.' Magic Johnson on movie theaters: 'I don't know how they come back' - CNBC "Thank you for teaching us how to be people of action, not words, and to always be a blessing to those around you," Andre wrote in the caption. They Call Me Magic - Apple TV+ Press Find out why so many people want to know about the famous father-son duo and why Magic apologized to EJ several years ago. In the 1988 NBA Finals between the Pistons and the Lakers, Thomas and Johnson. Oh, snap. Although the unfortunate response to Johnsons condition will forever be somewhat of a black mark on the NBAgranted, HIV was a mostly unknown diseaseit is interesting to look back at some of the phrases and words Johnson used during his first retirement press conference in 1991. Public and private medical insurance, as well as various assistance programs, make the medicines more affordable and available to the vast majority of patients in the United States and other parts of the world. HIV spreads by hijacking a subset of white blood cells called CD4 cells or T cells, which are the body's first line of defense against foreign invaders, and using the cells' DNA to make copies of itself or replicate; in this process, these T cells get destroyed, according to Healthline (opens in new tab). Immediately after learning of the talented 63-year-old basketball player's passing, hundreds of fans began posting condolence notes on the Facebook page. 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. ", Earlier this month on EJ's 29th birthday, his dad posted on Instagram: "To my beautiful and fabulous son EJ, Happy Birthday!! News' recap, EJ urged his sister to call it quits with Alcaraz, and it looks like she eventually heeded his advice. } ); Andre, EJ, and Elisa have taken on very different career paths. EJ Johnson, Magic Johnson's Son: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know To see what Magic Johnson's three children are up to and to learn more about the tight-knit Johnson family, read on. As of this writing in 2022, EJ has not launched his own fashion line, but we're certainly keeping an eye out for it. What Magic Johnson Did After Son EJ Came Out To Him However, it was not a shock to his parents. In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner infamously debuted her transition on the cover of Vanity Fair. In 2016, he starred on his own short-lived E! EJ Johnson was one of the stars of the reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, but he's probably best known for being the son of basketball superstar Magi. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Johnson, 37, and his wife of 13 years, Chastity, were . "The man that led me on is now hooking up with my sister, and I'm supposed to be OK with it.". Magic Johnson Retirement: Why Did Magic Johnson Retire - ClutchPoints The reality TV Star was born on June 2, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California, the United States. 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. In 1995, the Johnson family adopted Elisa Johnson when she was a baby. Im just very comfortable in my own skin. On its website, the company says that the eyewear was designed by the youngest Johnsonand every pair "reflects Elisa's style." The girl who changed Magic Johnson | CNN Why Magic Johnson's Wife Threatened To Leave Him Despite Sticking By He also appeared on Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart. RELATED:See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. You are our foundation and the backbone," he wrote in the caption. Needless to say, basketball legends Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson ceased being true friends a long time ago. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Magic often posts about his wife and kids on social media, but heres a closer look at his relationship with EJ, and how he has been the catalyst that changed Magic for the better. In a 2022 interview with Variety, EJ spoke about how his father initially struggled to accept his identity. Upon infection with HIV, a person's immune system kills off nearly all of the virus and infected cells. Magic Johnson Emotionally Reveals When He Found Out His Son Was Gay: "I Milan is currently in a relationship withtrans reality star and beauty influencer Lauryn England. A New York Times review of the show referred to EJ as the most likeable character on the show. I like my body.. show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, which aired from 2014 to 2016. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Nonetheless, Jenner's transition raised questions among some of Johnson's fans. Magic Johnson - Wikipedia More from Magic Johnsons Interview and Chat with the Ellen Show below: Its all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do, Magic Johnson told Ellen. New Orleans rapper Awood 'Mr. Magic' Johnson has died Discovery Company. Currently, EJ is reportedly single. EJs real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); ", Related: Magic Johnson Supports His Gay Son One Million Percent, EJ identifies as gender-fluid and is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. I feel like this is the body Im supposed to be in. After celebrating his 28th birthday, EJ took to Instagram once more to post a series of pictures on his stories. He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. Next, meet the MVP in Michael Jordans life, his wife Yvette Prieto. Therapists say it can damage your connection. 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. 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. He shared that it was his mother who taught him a lot about brands like Chanel and Versace. "I was told not to say anything about him kissing me, but he did. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at Johnsons friends and rivals all embraced him on the floor, as if the barriers initially created by the disease had been totally wiped away. Nowadays, EJ Johnson seems to be living his dreams. HIV and AIDS are not the only conditions we're still looking to cure. News in 2018 that he had no plans to transition. It is a day in history when people too young to remember will inevitably ask their elders why Magic Johnson retired. 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. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! ", Regardless, EJ admits his loved ones' support helped ground him. These and other HIV-fighting drugs are "hideously expensive," said Lieb. He was cast in the first season of E! Things got rocky after the socialite was outed in 2013 when TMZposted a video of him holding hands with his then-boyfriend. 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. However, neither of them confirmed or denied the relationship. In. An epidemiologist explains how Magic Johnson has survived HIV. When it was time to come out, I was, obviously, scared as most people are. In 1977, he met Earlitha . Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. 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. Indeed, Magic made one more brief comeback with the Purple and Gold during the 1995-96 season, and he has served in a variety of roles for the Lakers ever since. I'm very happy with myself," he said during an appearance on E! His clothing showed more skin after he dropped more than 100 pounds after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2014. We lost michael johnson today and were crushed. The gender-fluid fashionista is always flaunting his amazing wardrobe. 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Here's what you didn't know about EJ Johnson. Magic & Cookie Johnson's Relationship Timeline Spans Over 40 Years - Bustle EJ's mom said that her husband was worried about his son living . For Magic Johnson, supporting his gay son Earvin Johnson III, known as "E.J.," wasn't even a question. "I'll Deal With It: HIV Has Forced Me To Retire, But I'll Still Enjoy Life As I Speak Out About Safe Sex," by Magic Johnson, "Magic Johnson opens up about his health, career 30 years after HIV diagnosis: 'You just sit there and say, what does this mean? He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. "I was just like, 'Well, do I want to transition? "My ignorance could cost me my life, but I wanted to try and ensure that no one else would become infected with HIV for the same reason" Johnson wrote in Sports Illustrated (opens in new tab) on November 18, 1991. He also shared some insight into his diet and exercise routine. However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ. New York, While some of Johnsons Dream Team mateslike Charles Barkleysupported the idea of Johnson returning to the NBA, otherssuch as Utah Jazz forward Karl Maloneshowed outward concern (from the Nov. 1, 1992 edition of the New York Times): Look at this, scabs and cuts all over me, Malone, the Utah Jazz All-Star forward, said last Tuesday night in the visitors locker room at Madison Square Garden before a preseason game against the Knicks. Researchers continue to study long-term nonprogressors to get insights on HIV resistance that could help the 37.7 million people battling the virus, the current estimate of UNAIDS according to HIV.gov (opens in new tab). How the Magic Johnson-led Lakers' Showtime dynasty nearly never happened By Barbara Pavone / Updated: Aug. 3, 2021 7:23 pm EDT. However, EJ had already discussed his sexual orientation with his family. 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. Thirty Years Later, Magic Johnson Is Still Doing Lifesaving Work Johnson says he was sitting in a hotel in Utah, getting ready for an exhibition game when he got the call. Magic was born on 14 August 1959 in Lansing, Michigan, U.S.He is the son of Earvin Sr., who was a General Motors assembly worker, and Christine Johnson, who was a school janitor.. "I never thought that I'd look this good, and that is the God's honest truth. 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'", "Why Language Matters: Facing HIV Stigma in Our Own Words". who hasnt thought about it.. After four seasons, he'd also appeared on "Fashion Police" and worked as a red-carpet special correspondent, and the network gave EJ his own spin-off called "EJNYC" in 2016. EJ said its hard to date, lamenting, "It's always been a struggle. } else { Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnsons kids total to two. Walton was fired and the team eventually hired former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel to . (Image credit: Science Photo Library - SCIEPRO via Getty Images). 1:59 Coming for b*tches 5:48 Unlikely friends 7:24 Magic Johnsons Son 9:48 The ho phase 11:06 Transitioning? Apple today unveiled the teaser trailer for "They Call Me Magic," premiering April 22 on Apple TV+. "It was a little tough", said Cookie during the interview. As for Louis Vuitton using Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, in its women's line adsthe previous year, EJ claimed,"If you're going to do it, I think you should go with somebody who's actually doing it because they genuinely get it as opposed to somebody who just has a name and was doing it just to be out there." AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. As fashionable and fashion-forward as he is, Johnson does not have a fashion line. I really think its important that you not listen to so many fads; you really need to find what works for you, EJ told Page Six in September 2015. Magic Johnson Likely Beefed With Teammates, But Not How The virus was a lot scarier at the time. When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. Since EJ came out in 2013 he has set his own path in the transgender pop-culture. Since Dec. 2018, he's been the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games. He previously served as the Executive Vice President of his dads company, Magic Johnson Enterprises. The name stuck despite Magic's mother's distaste for it. His star hasnt dimmed as he has become a celebrity in his own right over the past few years, and sharing his own story about coming out to his parents as a gay Black man. "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. 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. 01 Mar 2023 15:17:10 The Tragic Death of Magic Johnson's Best Friend Inspired Him for Years His son EJ was born shortly, making headlines before he was even born. EJ has appeared in multiple TV shows such as Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, EJNYC, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and most recently The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Magic posts about his wife and kids often on social media. Magic Johnson On Gay Son EJ: 'I Was Just Waiting On Him To Tell Me "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.". As it turns out, EJ Johnson and his younger sister, Elisa Johnson, have the same type so much so that she started dating his pseudo-ex in 2016. "It proved to be the right decision," Magic Johnson said. E.J. We're gonna be fine. Medication can disrupt these processes, and to that end, Johnson is currently taking reverse transcriptase inhibitor and protease inhibitor drugs, which are contained in the pharmaceuticals Trizivir and Kaletra, respectively, according to the Daily Beast. EJ Johnson once told BETthat racism hasn't been a significant problem in his life. News, EJ Johnson once weighed about 360 pounds but underwent gastric sleeve surgery in early 2015. How and When Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. Johnson and his wife Cookie Johnson tied the knot in 1991, one year before the Los Angeles Lakers player retired. Mar 3, 2013 - 5:20 am. He was like this when he was a baby, it cant be wrong. The origins of Magic Johnson's nickname date back well before Winning Time episode 1's story, as it began when he was in high school. Taking a look at his Instagram we can see how clothes are one of his biggest passions. Put on my outfit. His two kids with Cookie, EJ Johnson and Elisa Johnson, are now in their 20s and are making names for themselves in two very different careers, and Magic's oldest child, 40-year-old Andre Johnson, from his relationship with Melissa Mitchell, is now a dad of his own.