He has the support of his family including his father, Magic Johnson. A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:53pm PST. READ ALSO: Emily Faye Miller's bio: life before and after Too Hot To Handle. Things got rocky after the socialite was outed in 2013 when TMZposted a video of him holding hands with his then-boyfriend. That doesn't mean it was always easy, however. On "Oprah's Next Chapter," Cookie and Magic open up about how they learned their son was gay and why their love is unconditional. 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. "I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. Youve got to support your child. ", "It's a totally new mindset," EJ told Page Sixthat September. "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. Find out why exercise can be important to mental health too. But Magic knew that for E.J., coming out to his parents, which happened years ago,. 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. I also said I was going to beat the disease. This past May, Magic shared photos of his family celebrating the launch of Elisa's brand. His son EJ was born shortly, making headlines before he was even born. E.J. Its all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do, Magic once said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. New York, I like my body. Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. How and When Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? Magic Johnson might be a legendary basketball player, but to his three kids, his most important role is dad. The transformed, soon-to-be NYU grad and son of Magic Johnson showed off his new look on Good Day New York. 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. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic. In 2017, rumors began to circulate about a possible romantic relationship between EJ and Christopher Milan, a former Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star. EJ is an openly gay graduate of New York University who has appeared on his own reality shows. It was a total bombshell and one that inadvertently triggered an onslaught of rumors about EJ Johnson. Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA and made his diagnosis public very quickly and then opened up about his experience. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is best-known for his skills on the basketball court, but he's also a devoted family man. 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. The 62-year-old was first drafted on the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 and continued to play for them for 13 seasons.. 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 was a guest host on Fashion Police and has filledin on E! An epidemiologist explains how Magic Johnson has survived HIV. ", A few years later, EJ finally put the public speculation to rest. "I feel like I wasn't cut out for it," she told SSENSE Magazine in April 2017. Also joining them were Cookie's mom, sister, and their nephew. 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 | Magic does have a relationship with his son EJ. I don't feel that I'm in the wrong body. I get these every night, every game, he said. The average period between infection with the human immunodeficiency virus and diagnosis of [] AIDS is now ten years, according to experts.. At the time, EJ was still a student at New York University. 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. He has six siblings and three half-siblings, all of whose names are unknown. "High ART costs are among many structural barriers that lead to poor treatment access and adherence, contributing to suboptimal HIV outcomes in the United States," according to a report published by JAMA Internal Medicine (opens in new tab) in 2020. 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. The star initially came out to his mother when he was a teenager. On its website, the company says that the eyewear was designed by the youngest Johnsonand every pair "reflects Elisa's style." The death fake caused the Twittersphere to go crazy, as usual. He'd come up with stupid rules: 'No scarves in the house.' 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. Today. PerBET, the show was "not completely ratchet with hair pulling and fighting," but let's be honest, it wasn't exactly "Masterpiece Theater," either. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including Admit it, these tracks are so good, you actually thought they were originals. at that point. 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. She was 26 years old when she was found dead above the Major Deegan Expressway. 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. EJs real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. 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. They claimed the pair were an official item. 01 Mar 2023 15:17:10 Milan is currently in a relationship withtrans reality star and beauty influencer Lauryn England. "I love you and enjoy your day to rest.". There was one drug then, now we have 30-something drugs.". Because he was so proud. ', It all goes down Tomorrow night ! ", 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." Now, Johnson has never been shy about his gender-defying sense of fashion. Andre, Magic's son from a previous relationship with Melissa Mitchell, was born in 1981. } ); 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. Magic Johnson and EJ have a great relationship, but theyre also open about the work it took to get there when EJ first came out. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, spoke about what it was like coming out as gay to his father. is amazing, he added. 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. Hydeia Broadbent remains AIDS activist 20 years after TV special with Magic Johnson. 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.' "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV.'". All Rights Reserved. Hopefully, Magic Johnson and his son will continue to put the work in and have a positive relationship. 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. "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. Theres so many people who try to discriminate against them. Here's what you didn't know about EJ Johnson. ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. A subset of integrated HIV provirus remains transcriptionally silent, producing neither viral proteins nor viral progeny, until reactivation by various physiologic stimuli. Where is Magic Johnson from? 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). 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. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 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. EJ said its hard to date, lamenting, "It's always been a struggle. Cookie Johnson, Magics wife, and EJ talked about the experience during an episode of Facebook's Red Table Talk show. But being a fashion icon on the making has not to stop EJ from being a loving family guy with his parents and siblings. 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. That pretty much says all we really need to know. The NBA regular season had just started, with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls looking to defend their championship. However, EJ had already discussed his sexual orientation with his family. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); 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. } I like my body.. In 2014, he joined the Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, a reality series following lives of some of the richest kids. 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. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic Johnson said. AboutPressCopyrightContact. According to Magic's comments at that press conference, Cookie threatened to leave him if he tried to return for more than one season. In a 2022 interview with Variety, EJ spoke about how his father initially struggled to accept his identity. The rising reality star is the son of NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson. I feel like this is the body that Im supposed to be in, he said in a 2019 interview. 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 ); (Image credit: Science Photo Library - SCIEPRO via Getty Images). 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. Currently, EJ is reportedly single. RELATED:See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. Immediately after learning of the talented 63-year-old basketball player's passing, hundreds of fans began posting condolence notes on the Facebook page. He is an openly gay man who champions the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community. He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. 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). Were very proud of him. But behind closed doors, things looked a little different, because Magic had a hard time accepting that his son is gay. Apple today unveiled the teaser trailer for "They Call Me Magic," premiering April 22 on Apple TV+. He appeared on CNNs This Is Life in 2018 and opened up about his identity. His style is androgynous, from ankle boots, sheer tops, diamond chokers, and furs to feminine with dresses with thigh-high slits. 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. Story highlights. "I'm ready to go. 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. 2:38 PM EDT, Sat October 30, 2021. When you're close with your siblings, you don't ever really consider that one day you might be competing for boyfriends. You can also learn about some of the cancers we're still battling and why they're so challenging. 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. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { 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. 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. They have a son, EJ, and in 1995, they adopted a girl, Elisa. ESPN's Chris Fowler spoke over a video montage . 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. A Warner Bros. HIV is now considered a chronic health condition that can be managed with the right drugs and a healthy lifestyle. Both she and EJ tested negative for HIV. In response to the headlines, Magic said, Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. The virus was a lot scarier at the time. The 29-year-old reality TV personality came out to the basketball great, 62, in 2010, and at first, the latter wasn't too. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Johnson Reveals 100+ Weight Loss on Good Day NY! Originally published on Live Science on 04 March 2022 and updated on 24 August 2022. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Since Dec. 2018, he's been the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games. 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 . "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.". But while Johnson and many others are able to manage their condition, many others are not as fortunate. He lived up to that promise by making regular appearances, giving interviews and being an activist for HIV and AIDS organisations. To see what Magic Johnson's three children are up to and to learn more about the tight-knit Johnson family, read on. The singer's two younger daughters are his little lookalikes. This past May, it was announced that EJ will be co-starring on the new Disney+ show The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. 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. And that trumped everything," Cookie Johnson said. According to the New York Times, EJ Johnson has been open about his sexuality and perspective on gender over the past few years. In 2013, EJ was outed by TMZ. Hes a businessman and podcaster. "I like myself the way that I am. "The surgery was definitely the best thing that ever happened to me," the star said. Magic Johnson holding the Walter A. He was 33. "There are still people alive and kicking and doing very well 20 and 30 years after infection.". 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. During the life cycle of the virus, HIV integrates into the host DNA. He has previously worked as Editor of video game magazines games and X-ONE and tech magazines iCreate and Apps. "I was just like, 'Well, do I want to transition? By Barbara Pavone / Updated: Aug. 3, 2021 7:23 pm EDT. The tabloid posted a video of the star holding hands with a man named Alessandro Monetti.. When he was younger, he would love to play with dolls. I don't feel the need to do that. Magic Johnson went from an unequivocal role in the NBA to a businessman and a legend in his own right. As well as drugs to help manage HIV we now have drugs such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, that can prevent transmission in the first place. About a year later, EJ had a similar heart-to-heart chat with his father. 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.. 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. But it's really not about scarves; it's really about him seeing you be you. Magic Johnson quickly issued a statement, saying, "Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. News), EJ said, "Whether it's the African-American community, or in my case, the gay community, it's important to make sure that we represent those communities in a positive way. 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. News in 2018 that he had no plans to transition. After celebrating his 28th birthday, EJ took to Instagram once more to post a series of pictures on his stories. 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. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. At the time of Magic Johnson's diagnosis, there was a strong stigma around HIV and AIDS. 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. 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. NY 10036. Our deepest condolences are with Cheryl, Ernie and their family, friends and loved ones as we mourn with them, the statement read. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. RELATED:See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up.