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.'". He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, sports, gaming and more with his friend Mike Dupree. Sorry tabloids: EJ is just busy being himself. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". When the NBA star first learned that EJ was gay, Magic expressed that this wasnt what he wanted for his son. Miller is an English model . He also questioned if EJ was sure he knew what he was saying. Sometimes it's hard being in the middle, kind of in the gray area in my own lane." (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for GLAAD). He previously served as the Executive Vice President of his dads company, Magic Johnson Enterprises. Jennifer Lopez, Magic Johnsons Son Rump Shake in San Tropez https://t.co/ZAaXbYEnks pic.twitter.com/djPolv14Wz, ? Nowadays, EJ Johnson seems to be living his dreams. Since EJ Johnsons sexual orientation has become public, his famous father has appeared in interviews speaking out about the importance of embracing children for who they are. EJ said, Its always been a struggle. Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. In 2013, Johnson came out as gay to his family at the age of 17 after a TMZ report published pictures of him holding hands with a male friend. Here is what you need to know about EJ Johnson: A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:48pm PDT, EJs mother was two months pregnant with her son when Magic Johnson revealed to the world that he had tested positive for HIV in November 1991. Johnson remembered the devastation of his diagnosis, and said that the most difficult part was having to tell his wife Cookie -- who he had just married, and whom had just become pregnant with their child. "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). 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. 1:59 Coming for b*tches 5:48 Unlikely friends 7:24 Magic Johnsons Son 9:48 The ho phase 11:06 Transitioning? AboutPressCopyrightContact. It was a little tough, said Cookie during the interview. "The surgery was definitely the best thing that ever happened to me," the star said. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, spoke about what it was like coming out as gay to his father. 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. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, addressed his gender identity Wednesday during an interview on E!News' Just the Sip. He pressed a finger to a small, pinkish hole on his thigh that was developing into a scab. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { He was 33. Johnson was pivotal in helping to lessen that stigma, as he not only managed to find a way forward and live with the disease, but also returned to playing basketball. PerBET, the show was "not completely ratchet with hair pulling and fighting," but let's be honest, it wasn't exactly "Masterpiece Theater," either. Johnson says meeting her as a girl changed his life. I'm so blessed to help continue the conversation about our community and what it means to truly live your truth. EJ doesnt plan to transition either. An epidemiologist explains how Magic Johnson has survived HIV. HIV is now considered a chronic health condition that can be managed with the right drugs and a healthy lifestyle. Johnson attended New York University where he studied hospitality with a focus on event planning and design, according to various different profiles. EJ Johnson's fans aren't the only ones who speculated about his gender identity, however. The 62-year-old was first drafted on the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 and continued to play for them for 13 seasons.. After celebrating his 28th birthday, EJ took to Instagram once more to post a series of pictures on his stories. 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. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb. Earvin went to Everett High School in Michigan for the duration of his high school experience, despite their basketball team . Crediting dad Magic Johnson for giving him the following advice, EJ recalled, "Make sure you check your surroundings and be you, do you, but make sure you're not putting yourself in dangerous situations where you could get hurt.". 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. Andre, Magic's son from a previous relationship with Melissa Mitchell, was born in 1981. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nba | pageType: stories | I think its all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be or what you want them to become. The tabloid posted a video of the star holding hands with a man named Alessandro Monetti.. His brother, Andre Johnson has a different mother. Magic Johnson played in five of Los Angeles eight preseason games that year, but he officially called it quits on Nov. 3, 1992 after an outpouring of criticism and concern from players and executives around the league. Magic Johnson has three children. Hes a businessman and podcaster. scientific studies and medical journals. After the discussion, Magics wife made sure to let him know that his reaction wasnt OK. Magic admitted to blurting out the first thing that came to his mind. EJ Johnson once told BETthat racism hasn't been a significant problem in his life. According to Too Fab, the discussion on Smiths talk show revealed that Magics initial reaction didnt have quite the same tone and message. RELATED:See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. I like my body., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Sep 3, 2019 at 9:42am PDT. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); In the photos, EJ Johnson looks confident in an outfit that captures his fashion-forward personality. The star revealed he was "almost 100 percent positive" that a transition was out of the cards. Despite the stunning realization that Magic Johnson would no longer be taking the court, the league did give him one of the more memorable sendoffs in recent sports history. A subset of integrated HIV provirus remains transcriptionally silent, producing neither viral proteins nor viral progeny, until reactivation by various physiologic stimuli. To these days, the whole family supports EJ in every way, as the close and lovely family they all are. "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. Early Childhood and Education. News and hosting other shows. Magic Johnson went from an unequivocal role in the NBA to a businessman and a legend in his own right. In 2016, he starred on his own short-lived E! Bernadette Giacomazzo Dec 17, 2021. Andre Johnson is a businessman, podcaster, and proud father of two. Yet even without modern drugs, in rare instances a person living with HIV can manage on their own to keep AIDS at bay. Related:Meet Quincy Isaiah, the Michigan Man Playing Magic Johnson in HBO Maxs Winning Time. Find out why so many people want to know about the famous father-son duo and why Magic apologized to EJ several years ago. Hydeia Broadbent remains AIDS activist 20 years after TV special with Magic Johnson. 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". We're gonna be fine. #teamthis, A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Jun 18, 2016 at 2:44pm PDT. Cookie Johnson, Magics wife, and EJ talked about the experience during an episode of Facebook's Red Table Talk show. appreciated. having their privacy invaded by paparazzi, some were surprised to learn that he is gay, Magics wife made sure to let him know that his reaction wasnt OK, has been open about his sexuality and perspective on gender. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. "I always say that if you feel like you're not in the right body, then by all means get to where you want to be. 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. Its still the toughest thing Ive ever had to do in my life: @MagicJohnson says that he hated having to tell his wife about his HIV diagnosis. Johnson attended New York University, studying hospitality with a focus on event planning and design. If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing The next day, he apologized to his son as he emotionally told him they would get through this. They claimed the pair were an official item. Its all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do, Magic once said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. 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. Discovery Company. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic Johnson said. He became a household name when he appeared on Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, and got his spinoff show called EJNYC. } On Mother's Day this year, he shared a photo on Instagram of his entire family celebrating, including his three kids and grandkids. Mar 3, 2013 - 5:20 am. "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV.'". I'm just very comfortable in my own skin. Former basketball star Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie Johnson tied the knot back in 1991, one year before the longtime Los Angeles Lakers player retired from the NBA. Johnson insisted, even then, that he would be around the league and the Lakers. 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. ", "It's a totally new mindset," EJ told Page Sixthat September. In a 2022 interview with Variety, EJ spoke about how his father initially struggled to accept his identity. Taking a look at his Instagram we can see how clothes are one of his biggest passions. Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get By taking the right regimen every day, most people living with HIV can see the number of virus particles in a sample of their blood, or viral load, become undetectably low. Magic, 63, says his son, whom he shares with his wife Cookie Johnson, "is so beloved all over the world" as a television personality and as an icon for the LGBTQ+ community. 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! According to a 2021 profile of Magic, his mother, a devout Christian, felt the nickname was "blasphemous.". 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. You are our foundation and the backbone," he wrote in the caption. The average period between infection with the human immunodeficiency virus and diagnosis of [] AIDS is now ten years, according to experts.. And I will," Johnson wrote. The fact that the gay man is the son of legendary NBA player, Magic Johnson . "I like myself the way that I am. When Magic Johnson's iconic basketball career was interrupted by a stunning HIV diagnosis three decades ago, the newlywed NBA legend had no idea how much time he had to live or how the virus. Andre tends to remain out of the spotlight, but on Instagram, he frequently posts about his wife, Lisa Meyers Johnson, and kids, 12-year-old daughter Gigi Johnson and 9-year-old son Avery Johnson. He is a television personality, socialite and actor. The Rolling Stones frontman has a huge family. In June, Andre posted a photo of his familystep mom Cookie includedat Gigi's sixth-grade graduation. For Magic Johnson, supporting his gay son Earvin Johnson III, known as "E.J.," wasn't even a question. This also resulted in a good deal of skepticism from some of Johnsons peers. Despite indicating the doctors told him there was no risk of transmission, Johnsons return during the 1992 preseason was frowned upon. "I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. 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. Johnson wanted to bring Starbucks to the inner city, and he had to convince Schultz that his coffee shops would prosper there. But today, thanks to advancements in antiretroviral drugs, the life expectancy (opens in new tab) of a young person diagnosed with HIV is not dissimilar from that of a similarly aged person without HIV, according to Healthline (opens in new tab). Nov 6, 2021. She was 26 years old when she was found dead above the Major Deegan Expressway. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. What's the real deal with EJ 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 heard about him on the internet or in a tabloid headline. It's all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do.. 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. And we love him. EJ's mom said that her husband was worried about his son living . In the series, his relationship with his youngest son, EJ, is explored. The series lasted just six episodes. 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. Magic Johnson: 20 years on from an All-Star game that changed basketball Read more He is less coy, though, when describing the reason he sought wealth, and was not content with the riches of. 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. But while Jordan and the Bulls began the year healthy and optimistic, the Los Angeles Lakerswho were the Western Conference representatives in the 1991 NBA Finalswere about to be blindsided. We send our heartfelt condolences to Ernie, Cheryl and their family during this difficult time.. Magic even posted on social media how proud he was of EJs new role. 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.". But we also know well see him againand that sustains us, Johnson, a father of six, wrote. 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. TMZ Sportspublished the last known paparazzi photo of the pair in 2017 and called Alcaraz Elisa's "quasi-boyfriend." "The man that led me on is now hooking up with my sister, and I'm supposed to be OK with it.". "I'm completely dedicated to living a new, healthy lifestyle." Before this, he worked as a senior epidemiologist with the Bureau of HIV/AIDS at the Florida Department of Health. Heres how it works. Magic Johnsonis one of the most iconic athletes and NBA players in basketball history. The U.S. would go on to capture the gold medal in overwhelming fashion, and Magics beaming smile might otherwise have been a symbol of his triumph. ", EJ Johnson is aware that as a public figure who is a member of two marginalized groups, he has a responsibility to be a role model. ESPN's Chris Fowler spoke over a video montage . } ); He revealed on the season finale of "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" that he'd lost about 180 pounds since the procedure. A New York Times review of the show referred to EJ as the most likeable character on the show. ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. EJ told the Times, The school called my mom and was like, We dont know if you want him to do the book report, because it talks about the H.I.V., I think it was at that point that they told me that he had been sick and hes a lot better., In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2016, EJs mother admitted that she struggled to come to terms with her son coming out. 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. How and When Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? He is an openly gay man who champions the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=3f04818d-0c52-47fe-9dbf-229a559738e6&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=8719156970272511032'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); In 2013, TMZ published a story with photos of EJ holding hands with his then-boyfriend. In 2015, EJ lost over 100 pounds and had surgery to remove excess weight. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. During the life cycle of the virus, HIV integrates into the host DNA. In 2017, rumors began to circulate about a possible romantic relationship between EJ and Christopher Milan, a former Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star. When talking about his positionas the Celebrity Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade in 2014 (via E! From massive pop hits to classic R&B ballads, you can count on these numerical tracks. Johnson says he was sitting in a hotel in Utah, getting ready for an exhibition game when he got the call. EJs real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. Related: Winning Time: Why Magic Johnson Is At The Doctor's In 1991 & What Happened. That doesn't mean it was always easy, however. RELATED: See Shaquille O'Neal's Daughter Amirah, Who's an NCAA Basketball Star. Nevertheless, the media too often shows a lack of boundaries. 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. Therapists say it can damage your connection. But Magic knew that for E.J., coming out to his parents, which happened years ago,. The 29-year-old reality TV personality came out to the basketball great, 62, in 2010, and at first, the latter wasn't too. 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. Magic Johnson is one proud father to his son Earvin "EJ" Johnson. Would love your thoughts, please comment. In his own way, he is becoming a fashion reference and an example for the transgender community. Johnson Reveals 100+ Weight Loss on Good Day NY! But it's really not about scarves; it's really about him seeing you be you. His son EJ was born shortly, making headlines before he was even born. EJs mom said that her husband was worried about his son living his life in a world that would not understand him. Andre also shows a lot of love for his dad on social media, as well. EJ was a guest host on Fashion Police and has filledin on E! Besides recognizing himself as a gender-fluid person, he has also been known for enjoying his lavish way of living. "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. Both were recently reunited for debut of . HIV and AIDS are not the only conditions we're still looking to cure. Johnson began to speak out and he has never retreated. "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.". EJshort for Earvin Johnson III, named after his fathermade his debut as a reality TV star on the E! EJ said the reaction to his sexuality varied from positive to extremely harsh, but it doesn't look like he gave his haters too much attention. At the time of Magic Johnson's diagnosis, there was a strong stigma around HIV and AIDS. 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). Magic Johnson quickly issued a statement, saying, "Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. There was one drug then, now we have 30-something drugs.". Its given me a whole new view on life. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! He also takes great pride in his skills and talents as a make-up artist. at that point. They cant tell you that youre not at risk, and you cant tell me theres one guy in the N.B.A. He is now flexing his acting chops in With Love and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder revival. Go do my, Magic Johnson Discusses His Son's Coming Out. And he got it from me, Magic told Varietyin April 2022. When he was younger, he would love to play with dolls. As fashionable and fashion-forward as he is, Johnson does not have a fashion line. Since Dec. 2018, he's been the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games. } else { Updated However, it was not a shock to his parents. Shortly thereafter, EJ did his first coming out interview on Gwissues with Howard Bragman. Magic Johnson has been living with HIV for nearly 0 years and thanks to advances in medical science the disease is now more manageable than it was when he first revealed his diagnosis. Since EJ came out in 2013 he has set his own path in the transgender pop-culture. Jonathan is the Editor of All About History magazine, running the day to day operations of the brand. READ ALSO: Emily Faye Miller's bio: life before and after Too Hot To Handle. EJ turned 30 on Saturday and marked the occasion with a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park . Interestingly enough, EJ spilled all the inside tea when he appeared on Jada Pinkett Smiths Red Table Talk. He was 33. 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). Cookie revealed that she noticed her son was different since he was a little boy, however, she thought he would grow out of it, but it happened the opposite. The key with Johnson and others has been preventing their incurable disease from progressing into AIDS. The gender-fluid fashionista is always flaunting his amazing wardrobe. News in 2018 that he had no plans to transition. Photo: Getty Images They were one of the greatest NBA teams to ever take the hardwood. I feel like this is the body Im supposed to be in. 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 Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZessentially outed him, per TheThings. Apple today unveiled the teaser trailer for "They Call Me Magic," premiering April 22 on Apple TV+. He was cast in the first season of E! This past May, Magic shared photos of his family celebrating the launch of Elisa's brand. The tabloid posted a video of the star holding hands with a man named Alessandro Monetti. In fact, Magic said that he has to bribe his wife to even get her to approve of him returning for one season. He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, entertainment, sports and gaming with his friend Mike Dupree. EJ is 62, just seven inches shorter than his father Magic. 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.. In response to the headlines, Magic said, Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. https://t.co/RQM9OCSd77. EJ added, "I'm fortunate that I'm in a world where I can do what I want to do and walk down the street in whatever I want to wear and break those walls down. Approximately 36,000 people are diagnosed with HIV each year, and more than 15,000 die annually, although these deaths can be from any cause, not necessarily from an AIDS-related illness. I dont feel the need to transition. "I said that because I had tested HIV-positive, I was retiring from the NBA. I like my body. Since his fathers relationship with HIV, as a spokesperson and being positive himself, EJ was introduced to gay culture from a very early age, so he has longtime been related to the activism and discrimination that surrounds it. Yet it was his charisma, especially at his precocious age, that floored. Magic Johnson holding the Walter A. Reality TV star E.J. Surprisingly, Johnson has seen great success personally and professionally, in part by reflecting on the words of a childhood friend, Reggie Chastine, who died while they were in high school. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnsons kids total to two. I enjoyed the Trump presidency more than I should have but sense that I'll be paying the bill by having to explain to the kiddos what really happened. The reality series followed the eponymous star, sister Elisa Johnson, and their high-class crew living their best lives in the Big Apple. According to research and estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (opens in new tab), as of 2019 about 1.18 million Americans have HIV, and 13 percent of them are undiagnosed. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { The first enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, turns the virus' genetic instructions encoded in a single RNA strand into double-stranded DNA.