In. The key with Johnson and others has been preventing their incurable disease from progressing into AIDS. I Image: Getty Images. Where is Magic Johnson from? ", 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." When he was younger, he would love to play with dolls. 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. "Very European," says EJ Johnson, the son of Magic Johnson, as he recalls when he came out as gay to his father. It is a day in history when people too young to remember will inevitably ask their elders why Magic Johnson retired. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' RELATED:See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. "I really think it's important that you not listen to so many fads; you really need to find what works for you," the "EJNYC" star explained, going on to note, "But that doesn't mean you're done after that because you don't like what's hot. It is a "myth," said Lieb, that Johnson, who is wealthy, is buying himself special treatments. But it's really not about scarves; it's really about him seeing you be you. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. He is now flexing his acting chops in With Love and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder revival. In addition to EJ, the Johnsons adopted Elisa Johnson when she was three days old in 1995. And last week, the travails of the 1980s Lakersincluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat . The NBA regular season had just started, with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls looking to defend their championship. Things got rocky after the socialite was outed in 2013 when TMZposted a video of him holding hands with his then-boyfriend. 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. The star revealed he was "almost 100 percent positive" that a transition was out of the cards. 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. 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. "It wasn't how he got it that was important to me. ESPN's Chris Fowler spoke over a video montage . EJs mom said that her husband was worried about his son living his life in a world that would not understand him. They claimed the pair were an official item. It was, like, this is supposed to be my show and my moment, and it wasn't what I wanted at all. The youngest of the group, Elisa, was adopted by the Johnsons in 1995 when she was just three days old. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". 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. 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. During a period when Magic and Cookie had broken up, he dated a woman named Melissa Mitchell, with whom he had a son, Andre, on Feb. 20, 1981. 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. The gender-fluid fashionista is always flaunting his amazing wardrobe. In 2014, he joined the Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, a reality series following lives of some of the richest kids. 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. His style is androgynous, from ankle boots, sheer tops, diamond chokers, and furs to feminine with dresses with thigh-high slits. 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.'". Magic Johnson abruptly quit as the Los Angeles Lakers' president of basketball operations earlier this month, and now, according to reports, it's because management sent emails criticizing . Magic Johnson has had a very busy life, from his days in college to his NBA tenure and everything that happened between that and the things he had to live after calling it a career. Yet it was his charisma, especially at his precocious age, that floored. Am I gonna die? When talking about his positionas the Celebrity Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade in 2014 (via E! America's Favorite Gay Newsman: Openly Gay Anderson Cooper Split With Restauranter Partner; Boyfriend Still Family. I feel like this is the body I'm supposed to be in. I like my body., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Sep 3, 2019 at 9:42am PDT. 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. He is an openly gay man who champions the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community. Andre, EJ, and Elisa have taken on very different career paths. 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. EJ Johnson has long thought about taking a stab at the fashion industry. Immediately after learning of the talented 63-year-old basketball player's passing, hundreds of fans began posting condolence notes on the Facebook page. 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. 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. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); ), EJ has since gone from reality television to acting. "As we talk today, right now, I'm thinking, 'Wow' its been 30 years and I'm still here, healthy. The son of basketball star Magic Johnson set his sights on NYC staple 1OAK for his own personal fashion show, where he was seen strutting some serious leg in a thigh-high fringe skirt, black tank . The date was November 7, 1991. ': 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. 2023 Cable News Network. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); "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.". xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); At the time of Magic Johnson's diagnosis, there was a strong stigma around HIV and AIDS. Johnson attended New York University, studying hospitality with a focus on event planning and design. 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. And I will," Johnson wrote. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { EJ often will reflect on his childhood and his innate inclination toward fashion and design. So, if you're wondering what exactly happened back then, we've got you covered. The rising reality star is the son of NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson. In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. From the highlights from Magics career, but the evolution of Johnson as a person including his role as a husband and father. The Hall of Fame point guard also insisted he would become a spokesman for HIV. The next day, he apologized to his son as he emotionally told him they would get through this. I don't feel that I'm in the wrong body. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ. (Image credit: Science Photo Library - SCIEPRO via Getty Images). Earvin went to Everett High School in Michigan for the duration of his high school experience, despite their basketball team . 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. Like her mom and brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. However, thanks to advancements in antiretroviral drugs and management of the condition, the 63-year-old continues to thrive in his roles as a sports analyst, businessman and HIV activist more than 30 years later. According to Celebrity Net Worth, EJ Johnson has an estimated $5 million net worth. Hopefully, Magic Johnson and his son will continue to put the work in and have a positive relationship. I dont feel the need to transition. He shared that it was his mother who taught him a lot about brands like Chanel and Versace. 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. On its website, the company says that the eyewear was designed by the youngest Johnsonand every pair "reflects Elisa's style." But we also know well see him againand that sustains us, Johnson, a father of six, wrote. He was unhappy with his portrayal on the show, saying, "I don't even recognize that person. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for GLAAD). Heres how it works. "I never thought that I'd look this good, and that is the God's honest truth. 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. Andre doesn't post much about his professional life online, but according to what appears to be his LinkedIn page, he was the vice president of his dad's investment company, Magic Johnson Enterprises, from 2012 to 2014. 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, 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. As fashionable and fashion-forward as he is, Johnson does not have a fashion line. Magic posts about his wife and kids often on social media. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including It was seemingly just like any other in basketball circles. Sure, Johnsons Twitter account has become a practical parody because of the Maddenesque analysis he provides, but his genuine care for the players and the game in general is still inherently clear. Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. Sorry tabloids: EJ is just busy being himself. Admit it, these tracks are so good, you actually thought they were originals. Jonathan is the Editor of All About History magazine, running the day to day operations of the brand. In 1995, the Johnson family adopted Elisa Johnson when she was a baby. In June, Andre posted a photo of his familystep mom Cookie includedat Gigi's sixth-grade graduation. 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. Speculation about the couples possible relationship began to circulate after they were spotted having lunch together. Earvin Johnson III (born June 4, 1992) is an American television personality and socialite who is also the son of Magic Johnson.EJ JohnsonNationalityAmericanOccupationTelevision personality, socialite, fashion commentatorMagic Johnson (parent) Earlitha Kelly (mother)2 more rowsMagic Johnson Magic Johnson Kids Nevertheless, the media too often shows a lack of boundaries. You have to be prepared for people to say certain things about you, and it just wasn't for me. We're very proud of him." He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, sports, gaming and more with his friend Mike Dupree. "It proved to be the right decision," Magic Johnson said. A five-time world champion, three-time league and Finals MVP and a man who played in the Finals nine of his 12 professional seasons, or for 75 percent of his career. The most common drugs in the ART regimen target two of the enzymes that HIV uses to replicate itself. How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV? } ); How Magic Johnson Messed Up When His Son Came Out In 2013, a TMZ photographer captured a photo of EJ Johnson walking on the Sunset Strip while holding hands with his boyfriend at the time. Hes a businessman and podcaster. EJ told Jada Pinkett Smith in an April 2019 episode of Red Table Talk that dating was hard because of his famous father. Cookie Johnson, Magics wife, and EJ talked about the experience during an episode of Facebook's Red Table Talk show. When the TMZ story broke, EJ's parents rallied around their son. Taking a look at his Instagram we can see how clothes are one of his biggest passions. 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. He'd come up with stupid rules: 'No scarves in the house.' You can also learn about some of the cancers we're still battling and why they're so challenging. 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. Furthermore, a low viral load severely reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others. I dont feel the need to transition. Magic Johnson, whom they drafted in 1979, was a vital cog in their championship runs. He actually helped me get there. Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of Magic Johnson's decision to retire from basketball upon learning he had been diagnosed with HIVone of the biggest, most impactful moments for . "I feel like I wasn't cut out for it," she told SSENSE Magazine in April 2017. "There are still people alive and kicking and doing very well 20 and 30 years after infection.". Of course, the revelation about Magic Johnson's diagnosis said to be the result of an extra-marital affair led to a significant period of turmoil for the family. Both she and her . During the conversation, EJ, who came out as gay in . Is this something that I would do?' Magic Johnson's remarkable life was thrown into question after he was diagnosed with HIV. Although Johnson reacted at first, he talked to his son the next day and at that moment, they knew everything was going to be fine between them. EJ, 30, came out. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb. Magic Johnson quickly issued a statement, saying, "Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. This seemed all the more evident during the 1992 Olympics, when Johnson joined Team USA as a member of the famed Dream Team in Barcelona. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". Early Childhood and Education. We've come across little random tidbits maybe, obviously when I'm in different parts of the world and other countries, things are different," he claimed. In scientific terms, this mode of replication classifies HIV as a retrovirus, hence "antiretroviral" drugs. '", "Why Language Matters: Facing HIV Stigma in Our Own Words". Upon graduation, he worked in A&R for five years at Elektra Entertainment with artists like Jay Z, Missy Elliott, and Gwen Stefani. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is best-known for his skills on the basketball court, but he's also a devoted family man. The virus was a lot scarier at the time. Its all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do, Magic once said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. Take on my day. EJ launched a now-defunctfashion blog in 2014. EJ recalled, "[Magic] just was like, we're gonna get through this, I just need time and we both just started crying a little bit.