", Related: Magic Johnson Supports His Gay Son One Million Percent, EJ identifies as gender-fluid and is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. This past May, Magic shared photos of his family celebrating the launch of Elisa's brand. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is best-known for his skills on the basketball court, but he's also a devoted family man. "They Call Me Magic" offers a rare glimpse into the incredible real-life story of Johnson, who left his mark on history through his work both on and off the court and continues to impact our culture today. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, addressed his gender identity Wednesday during an interview on E!News' Just the Sip. How and When Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? Ive never done anything on television that is this honest and real, he shared in an Instagram post promoting the segment. In the past, EJ has consistently nabbed headlines for his unapologetic sense of fashion and candid attitude, whether he's speaking about the realities of LGBTQ+ adults or sparring with his sister, Elisa Johnson, on screen. Either way, there's no doubt that this celebrity kid gets a lot of attention. Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson has become a living testament to advances in medicine that have turned human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from a death sentence into something that can be managed and lived with. Michael, who suffered . News' recap, EJ urged his sister to call it quits with Alcaraz, and it looks like she eventually heeded his advice. According to E! 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. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); She said, That was a very hard thing for me. By knowing and enjoying his privileged life, he has been part of Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, for four seasons, and then on his own spinoff called EJNYC, which lasted only 6 episodes. 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. 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. (Image credit: Science Photo Library - SCIEPRO via Getty Images). EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, spoke about what it was like coming out as gay to his father. To these days, the whole family supports EJ in every way, as the close and lovely family they all are. When the NBA star first learned that EJ was gay, Magic expressed that this wasnt what he wanted for his son. He also shared some insight into his diet and exercise routine. 2:38 PM EDT, Sat October 30, 2021. However, EJ had already discussed his sexual orientation with his family. 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. Is this something that I would do?' I mean, I looked good, but that was just me doing me." xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); I think its all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be or what you want them to become. Spencer Lieb is a HIV/AIDS research coordinator with The AIDS Institute. EJ Johnson's fans aren't the only ones who speculated about his gender identity, however. 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. Magic was diagnosed with HIV 45 days after Cookie and Magic married, and their lives were permanently transformed. 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. 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. 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.' Speaking withThe New York Times, EJ shed light on what went wrong. But while Johnson and many others are able to manage their condition, many others are not as fortunate. Magic Johnson's net worth is currently estimated to be about $600 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The virus was a lot scarier at the time. spinoff, EJNYC, which followed his life as he moved to New York City. } Im just very comfortable in my own skin. She studied at FIT and launched her own label, Elisa Johnson Co. She prefers to stay out of the spotlight. They claimed the pair were an official item. To recap: during a bizarre interviewin 2014 with Anderson Cooper, Sterling the former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers who was banned from the NBA for life for making racist remarks claimed that Magic Johnson "should be ashamed of himself" for contracting HIV. 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. He actually helped me get there. Magic Johnson is not only a legendary basketball player but a father of three. 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. at that point. 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. Turner sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson shared photo of son Michael, who died Friday at the age of 33. Awood "Mr. Magic" Johnson, a rapper best known for his work in the 90's on the No Limit Records label, has died. Take on my day. His full name is Earvin Johnson III, but he goes by EJ professionally. xhr.send(payload); Besides recognizing himself as a gender-fluid person, he has also been known for enjoying his lavish way of living. 12:30 Lyric McHenry #EJJohnson #JustTheSip #JustinSylvester #transitioning #LyricMcHenry #MagicJohnson #comingforpeople #hoephase, he joined the Rich Kids of Beverly Hills,. During that same 2016 episode of "EJNYC," the reality star told his therapist that the cover story made him consider transitioning. Nov 6, 2021. "You mean he just let his son in law run everything Dad?" "Yes because he was Jewish." "Are Jews magic Dad?" "Sure are," I say. Magic Johnson's remarkable life was thrown into question after he was diagnosed with HIV. (Image credit: YakubovAlim via Getty Images). 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. Today he is becoming a fashionista who is looking to give a stronger voice to the transgender community through his own experience. We lost michael johnson today and were crushed. Walton was fired and the team eventually hired former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel to . Updated The key with Johnson and others has been preventing their incurable disease from progressing into AIDS. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); He was given the nickname by a sports writer who had just seen the 15-year-old prepster notch 36 points, 16 rebounds. He also questioned if EJ was sure he knew what he was saying. EJ Johnson Sets the Record Straight on Transitioning | Just The Sip | E! The star initially came out to his mother when he was a teenager. Magic does have a relationship with his son EJ. show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, which aired from 2014 to 2016. 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Since Dec. 2018, he's been the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games. I feel like this is the body I'm supposed to be in. He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, entertainment, sports and gaming with his friend Mike Dupree. 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. 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. Earvin went to Everett High School in Michigan for the duration of his high school experience, despite their basketball team . Presenting your official soundtrack to falling (or staying) in love. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZ essentially outed him, per TheThings. Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. 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. But I don't feel incomplete in that way. After Johnson's departure, the Lakers announced they would not fill the position that Johnson left. He did have a fashion blog, but it no longer exists. [emailprotected]. The singer's two younger daughters are his little lookalikes. Because he was so proud. Our deepest condolences are with Cheryl, Ernie and their family, friends and loved ones as we mourn with them, the statement read. One of the most important contributions Johnson has made to people with HIV is making people more aware and understanding of the virus. An epidemiologist explains how Magic Johnson has survived HIV. In. Nevertheless, the media too often shows a lack of boundaries. The fact that the gay man is the son of legendary NBA player, Magic Johnson . Related: Try Dopamine Dressing With 20 New Looks. On its website, the company says that the eyewear was designed by the youngest Johnsonand every pair "reflects Elisa's style." "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? 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. Johnson wanted to bring Starbucks to the inner city, and he had to convince Schultz that his coffee shops would prosper there. 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. reality series, "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" and its spin-off "EJNYC." 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. "I'm ready to go. section: | slug: magic-johnson-opens-up-on-living-with-hiv-30-years-after-his-diagnosis | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | 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. 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. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Remember, HIV-AIDS were still primarily labeled gay diseasesback then. In addition to EJ, the Johnsons adopted Elisa Johnson when she was three days old in 1995. During the life cycle of the virus, HIV integrates into the host DNA. When the former professional basketball player was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (opens in new tab) in 1991, a lack of understanding and stigmatization surrounding the virus (opens in new tab) led to questions being raised over his future life prospects. All Rights Reserved. Separately, Magic posted a photo of Cookie, in honor of the occasion. About a year later, EJ had a similar heart-to-heart chat with his father. I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. RELATED:See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. EJ is an openly gay graduate of New York University who has appeared on his own reality shows. "I never thought that I'd look this good, and that is the God's honest truth. 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. EJ said, I like myself the way that I am. Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. "We are so proud of her and I love that she's doing what she always wanted to do, work in the fashion industry," Magic wrote in an Instagram post. "I said that because I had tested HIV-positive, I was retiring from the NBA. This past May, it was announced that EJ will be co-starring on the new Disney+ show The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. The average period between infection with the human immunodeficiency virus and diagnosis of [] AIDS is now ten years, according to experts.. He pressed a finger to a small, pinkish hole on his thigh that was developing into a scab. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb. In 2016, he starred on his own short-lived E! TMZ Sportspublished the last known paparazzi photo of the pair in 2017 and called Alcaraz Elisa's "quasi-boyfriend." Magic Johnson held a press conference to formally announce the retirement, an occasion so monumental that former NBA Commissioner David Stern would be seen sitting just to Johnsons left. 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. When the TMZ story broke, EJ's parents rallied around their son. But being a fashion icon on the making has not to stop EJ from being a loving family guy with his parents and siblings. Now, Johnson has never been shy about his gender-defying sense of fashion. In 1995, the Johnson family adopted Elisa Johnson when she was a baby. 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 was the first time he was out in public as gay. 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.". Its given me a whole new view on life. She was 26 years old when she was found dead above the Major Deegan Expressway. 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. EJs real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. Maybe you've heard about him on the internet or in a tabloid headline. } ); Former New York Yankees All Star Alex Rodriguez, CBS This Mornings Gayle King, NBA on TNTs Kenny The Jet Smith, ESPN First Takes Stephen A. Smith, NBA Hall of Famer and Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas and former New York Knicks coach, Mike Woodson were some of the notables in attendance at the party. ', It all goes down Tomorrow night ! 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. He previously served as the Executive Vice President of his dads company, Magic Johnson Enterprises. He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, sports, gaming and more with his friend Mike Dupree. 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. Johnson Reveals 100+ Weight Loss on Good Day NY! ", EJ also gave advice to closeted young people who might be looking to his lifestyle as a road map for their own. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Maybe you've seen him on his E! A video surfaced on Twitter of Lopez and EJ Johnson getting their dance on to Teena Maries Square Biz while at his Magic Johnsons 60th Birthday party in Saint Tropez. Cookie Johnson, Magics wife, and EJ talked about the experience during an episode of Facebook's Red Table Talk show. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. 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. For more entertainment and celebrity news sent to you directly, sign up for our daily newsletter. Go do my, Magic Johnson Discusses His Son's Coming Out. EJ Johnson has shown the world that he is an unstoppable force. 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. "I always wanted to come into the spotlight," EJ told the YouTube talk show "Gwissues" shortly after (via ESPN). Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). It's all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do.. And last week, the travails of the 1980s Lakersincluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat . 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. Next, meet the MVP in Michael Jordans life, his wife Yvette Prieto. Yet through all the ups and downs, he remains the same bubbly person he has always been. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? "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." (The series was canceled after the first season. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at Magic Johnson Investments He has had partnerships previously with Starbucks, 24-Hour Fitness, T.G.I Fridays, and AMC Theatres. Magic Johnson is one of the most iconic athletes and NBA players in basketball history. In the photos, EJ Johnson looks confident in an outfit that captures his fashion-forward personality. In the 1988 NBA Finals between the Pistons and the Lakers, Thomas and Johnson. I Image: Getty Images. The doctor told him to immediately fly back to Los Angeles, but wouldn't tell him why. } if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { As it turns out, he was planning on publicly revealing his sexuality anyway. ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. Continue to change and educate the world! It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' EJ Johnson is a media personality and socialite best known as Magic Johnson's son. 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. Please respect my privacy and my process., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on May 4, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT. His brother, Andre Johnson has a different mother. Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. "I've always loved being in front of people, being on stage and performing. Andre, EJ, and Elisa have taken on very different career paths. Randy Chrisley Is Todd Chrisley's Brother Who Was Diagnosed with Cancer in 2014, Johnny Depp's Weight Gain & Changes in Appearance over the Years, 'Whos the Boss? EJ turned 30 on Saturday and marked the occasion with a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park . ?Brandon Scoop B Robinson (@ScoopB) September 4, 2019. He has six siblings and three half-siblings, all of whose names are unknown. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for GLAAD). It is a "myth," said Lieb, that Johnson, who is wealthy, is buying himself special treatments. "I like myself the way that I am. From massive pop hits to classic R&B ballads, you can count on these numerical tracks.