How the Magic Johnson-led Lakers' Showtime dynasty nearly never happened EJ Johnson has shown the world that he is an unstoppable force. ', It all goes down Tomorrow night ! His role as an influencer is a staple in his work that is grounded in gender-flouting. "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. 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. He played on the 1992 NBA All-Star Team as well as the "Dream Team" at the Olympics. EJ Johnson once told BETthat racism hasn't been a significant problem in his life. Magic Johnson's Son, EJ, Opens Up About His Gender Identity - EBONY He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, sports, gaming and more with his friend Mike Dupree. In 1977, he met Earlitha . To these days, the whole family supports EJ in every way, as the close and lovely family they all are. Theres so many factors. 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. 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. So, if you're wondering what exactly happened back then, we've got you covered. 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. The singer's two younger daughters are his little lookalikes. RELATED:See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. 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. 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. Everyone expected his life to suffer after his diagnosis. ", A few years later, EJ finally put the public speculation to rest. 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. 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. } else { "The man that led me on is now hooking up with my sister, and I'm supposed to be OK with it.". I don't feel that I'm in the wrong body. The star had some questions of his own especially surrounding Caitlyn Jenner's abovementioned Vanity Fair cover. Magic Johnson's Kids: Meet The NBA Legend's 3 Children - Hollywood Life However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ. show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, which aired from 2014 to 2016. Yet through all the ups and downs, he remains the same bubbly person he has always been. "There are still people alive and kicking and doing very well 20 and 30 years after infection.". I like my body.. "It proved to be the right decision," Magic Johnson said. https://t.co/RQM9OCSd77. Magic Johnson Celebrates Son EJ's 30th Birthday: 'So Honored' - Peoplemag I like my body., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Sep 3, 2019 at 9:42am PDT. As I grew older, as my wife talked to me, I couldnt [judge EJ]. 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. Despite indicating the doctors told him there was no risk of transmission, Johnsons return during the 1992 preseason was frowned upon. 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. The reality TV Star was born on June 2, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California, the United States. Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get 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 . Magic Johnson reveals his son EJ's coming out 'changed' him "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.". After celebrating his 28th birthday, EJ took to Instagram once more to post a series of pictures on his stories. Magic Johnson | Biography, Documentary, & Facts | Britannica In 1995, the Johnson family adopted Elisa Johnson when she was a baby. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. He is Cookie Johnsons oldest child but Magic Johnsons middle child. 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. In June, Andre posted a photo of his familystep mom Cookie includedat Gigi's sixth-grade graduation. 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. 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. News in 2018 that he had no plans to transition. 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 is 62, just seven inches shorter than his father Magic. Johnson, 37, and his wife of 13 years, Chastity, were . The Rolling Stones frontman has a huge family. 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. There's [sic] so many factors. Magic had been married to his wife, Cookie, not more than two months before he made his announcement, and questions surrounded Johnsons sexuality as a result. Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. I could really feel the love. This latency of HIV allows some infected cells to escape immune detection and elimination, and these latently infected cells constitute the viral reservoir," wrote Nathan W. Cummins, MD and Andrew D. Badley, MD for Mayo Clinic Proceedings (opens in new tab) in 2015. From the highlights from Magics career, but the evolution of Johnson as a person including his role as a husband and father. 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. I mean, I looked good, but that was just me doing me." ", Earlier this month on EJ's 29th birthday, his dad posted on Instagram: "To my beautiful and fabulous son EJ, Happy Birthday!! He was 33. 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. "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV.'". The year was 2010, and scarves were in. Next, meet the MVP in Michael Jordans life, his wife Yvette Prieto. 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. (The series was canceled after the first season. 2. Maybe you've seen him on his E! ", Elisa ultimately decided not to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Put on my outfit. 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). 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. The star initially came out to his mother when he was a teenager. He also takes great pride in his skills and talents as a make-up artist. Is this something that I would do?' 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. READ ALSO: Emily Faye Miller's bio: life before and after Too Hot To Handle. However, Magic's playing career was suddenly cut short in 1991 when he learned that he tested positive for HIV. 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. Hopefully this answers your question about why Magic Johnson retired. 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. 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. 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. He is an openly gay man who champions the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community. Continue to change and educate the world! Magic Johnson might be a legendary basketball player, but to his three kids, his most important role is dad. But 30 years later, the NBA legend is still pursuing his passions, with Cookie by his side. 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. 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. They Call Me Magic - Apple TV+ Press The Truth About Magic Johnson's Relationship With His Son EJ Spencer Lieb is a HIV/AIDS research coordinator with The AIDS Institute. About a year later, EJ had a similar heart-to-heart chat with his father. "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. 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.. He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. EJ Johnson's bio: age, height, net worth, and weight loss First of all, the celebrity thingwho are you here for? Awood "Mr. Magic" Johnson, a rapper best known for his work in the 90's on the No Limit Records label, has died. That doesn't mean it was always easy, however. In 2018, EJ Johnson and his mom Cookie Johnson made an appearance on Willow and Jada Pinkett Smiths Red Table Talk, where Cookie revealed that when EJ came out to his parents, it was a little tough because Magic Johnson wasnt supportive at first. 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. I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, 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.". 's "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" during his junior year. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and our family. Andre, EJ, and Elisa have taken on very different career paths. The next day, he apologized to his son as he emotionally told him they would get through this. Photo: Getty Images They were one of the greatest NBA teams to ever take the hardwood. AboutPressCopyrightContact. EJ launched a now-defunctfashion blog in 2014. Speculation about the couples possible relationship began to circulate after they were spotted having lunch together. "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. Inside The Lives Of Magic Johnson's Children - NickiSwift.com Magic Johnson - Son, Stats & Wife - Biography A New York Times review of the show referred to EJ as the most likeable character on the show. Magic Johnson Bio: Children, Wife, Height, Net Worth EJ said, Its always been a struggle. Magic Johnson went from an unequivocal role in the NBA to a businessman and a legend in his own right. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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. From massive pop hits to classic R&B ballads, you can count on these numerical tracks. #EJNYC premieres tomorrow night at 11 only on E! Johnson says he was sitting in a hotel in Utah, getting ready for an exhibition game when he got the call. That pretty much says all we really need to know. Its given me a whole new view on life. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); (Image credit: Focus On Sport / Contributor via Getty Images), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 amazing health stories you may have missed in 2021, How mental health affects physical health, Ancient Roman 'spike defenses' made famous by Julius Caesar found in Germany, Watch footage of 1,000 baleen whales in record-breaking feeding frenzy in Antarctica, New Hubble footage shows exact moment a NASA spacecraft slammed into an asteroid 7 million miles from Earth, Cosmic rays reveal 'hidden' 30-foot-long corridor in Egypt's Great Pyramid, Upside-down anglerfish and other alien oddities spotted in one of the world's deepest trenches, Lab-grown minibrains will be used as 'biological hardware' to create new biocomputers, scientists propose, Insect that flings pee with a butt catapult is 1st known example of 'superpropulsion' in nature, Unknown lineage of ice age Europeans discovered in genetic study, Otherworldly 'fairy lantern' plant, presumed extinct, emerges from forest floor in Japan, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device, "Magic Johnsons Career Ended by HIV-Positive Test" by Mark Heisler, "Facts About HIV: Life Expectancy and Long-Term Outlook", "New HIV Diagnoses and People with Diagnosed HIV in the US and Dependent Areas by Area of Residence, 2019", "Magic Johnson: the NBA superstar who smashed HIV stigma then built a huge fortune" by Oliver Laughland, "HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Costs in the United States, 2012-2018". The youngest of the group, Elisa, was adopted by the Johnsons in 1995 when she was just three days old. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magic's life. ", Regardless, EJ admits his loved ones' support helped ground him. Magic Johnson and His Family Including Son EJ - Yahoo! See Magic Johnson's Three Children All Grown Up Today Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA and made his diagnosis public very quickly and then opened up about his experience. The star even garnered comparisons to Kim Kardashian in 2016 when he attended a wedding wearing a netted jumpsuit that looked like a dress she had worn to Cannes Lion the previous summer. "There is nothing unique about Magic," Spencer Lieb, senior epidemiologist (opens in new tab) and HIV/AIDS research coordinator for the Florida Consortium for HIV/AIDS Research told Live Science. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ. At the time, EJ was still a student at New York University. Where is Magic Johnson from? When and How Did Magic Johnson Get HIV? - The Cinemaholic Johnson attended New York University where he studied hospitality with a focus on event planning and design, according to various different profiles. The 29-year-old reality TV personality came out to the basketball great, 62, in 2010, and at first, the latter wasn't too. He revealed on the season finale of "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" that he'd lost about 180 pounds since the procedure. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. It was a total bombshell and one that inadvertently triggered an onslaught of rumors about EJ Johnson. I tried everything, but finally I just said to myself, This child is innocent. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. 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. ?Brandon Scoop B Robinson (@ScoopB) September 4, 2019. Truth about Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas is that even friendship can Upon graduation, he worked in A&R for five years at Elektra Entertainment with artists like Jay Z, Missy Elliott, and Gwen Stefani. Magic Johnson son EJ talks coming out to his father - Yahoo! EJ was a guest host on Fashion Police and has filledin on E! In the 1988 NBA Finals between the Pistons and the Lakers, Thomas and Johnson. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 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. "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. EJ turned 30 on Saturday and marked the occasion with a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park . Related: Try Dopamine Dressing With 20 New Looks. "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). This was the first time he was out in public as gay. Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. 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 Johnson, a notable Hollywood actress and successful entrepreneur. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare genetic disorder of progressive muscular weakness, which typically affects boys, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Currently, EJ is reportedly single. Magic Johnson recounts the ugly end of his Lakers presidency Magic Johnson reportedly resigned from Lakers after being copied on EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZessentially outed him, per TheThings. "I'm ready to go. 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. It was a little tough, said Cookie during the interview. Find out why so many people want to know about the famous father-son duo and why Magic apologized to EJ several years ago. According to the Associated Press, EJ Johnson attended New York University with an event management and design major while minoring in fashion, journalism, and media. We're very proud of him." By Barbara Pavone / Updated: Aug. 3, 2021 7:23 pm EDT. Magic Johnson Apologized to His Son EJ Johnson After EJ - Sportscasting EJ Johnson was born on June 4, 1992. who hasnt thought about it.. Ive never done anything on television that is this honest and real, he shared in an Instagram post promoting the segment. This past May, it was announced that EJ will be co-starring on the new Disney+ show The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.