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Watch! His clothing showed more skin after he dropped more than 100 pounds after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2014. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. It was a total bombshell and one that inadvertently triggered an onslaught of rumors about EJ Johnson. And I will," Johnson wrote. The Rolling Stones frontman has a huge family. He previously served as the Executive Vice President of his dads company, Magic Johnson Enterprises. These "long-term nonprogressors" or "elite controllers," estimated at as few as one in 500, have lived for decades with HIV, despite not being on antiretroviral therapy. Magic Johnson quickly issued a statement, saying, "Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. In the 1988 NBA Finals between the Pistons and the Lakers, Thomas and Johnson. Before the Los Angeles Lakers' final game of the 2018-19 season, Magic Johnson stunned the team and the NBA world at large by stepping down as the team's president of basketball operations.. 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. Despite indicating the doctors told him there was no risk of transmission, Johnsons return during the 1992 preseason was frowned upon. EJ's mom said that her husband was worried about his son living . "The key moment was when Cookie took the test and the results came back that her and the baby was fine [sic]," the retired NBA star told Gayle King. On Mother's Day this year, he shared a photo on Instagram of his entire family celebrating, including his three kids and grandkids. 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. Because there are so many people who try to discriminate against them, so they need you to support them. NY 10036. He has previously worked as Editor of video game magazines games and X-ONE and tech magazines iCreate and Apps. So, if you're wondering what exactly happened back then, we've got you covered. He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at Mar 3, 2013 - 5:20 am. She was 26 years old when she was found dead above the Major Deegan Expressway. Reality TV star E.J. 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". Nowadays, EJ Johnson seems to be living his dreams. reality series, "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" and its spin-off "EJNYC." After I got all the love and support from my family then I knew I could go out and conquer the world, I guess.". EJ often will reflect on his childhood and his innate inclination toward fashion and design. He is known to have owned 105 Starbucks outlets and a 4.5% stake in . 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. Were getting a closer look into the life and career of NBA legend Magic Johnson with They Call Me Magic streaming on Apple TV+. Continue to change and educate the world! 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. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". According to a 2021 profile of Magic, his mother, a devout Christian, felt the nickname was "blasphemous.". 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. Since nobody in the Johnson family had ever addressed EJ's sexual preference at that time, TMZ published the photo like it was a scoop. The reality series followed the eponymous star, sister Elisa Johnson, and their high-class crew living their best lives in the Big Apple. Its a totally new mindset Im completely dedicated to living a new, healthy lifestyle. Johnson began to speak out and he has never retreated. They should probably start highlighting people who are doing it in the streets, as opposed to whatever celebrity they're putting in a skirt for five seconds just for publicity.". Johnson and his wife Cookie Johnson tied the knot in 1991, one year before the Los Angeles Lakers player retired. "I'm ready to go. 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 longtime Inside the NBA host said via Twitter, We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael., A post shared by Ernie Johnson (@ernie.johnson). Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. On this Nov. 7, legendary Lakers point guard Earvin Magic Johnson stunned the entire world when he announced that he had contracted the HIV virus, and would be retiring from NBA immediately. HIV and AIDS are not the only conditions we're still looking to cure. So if you dont support them, whos going to support them and love them?, Despite being openly interested in gender-fluid fashion, EJ told E! E.J. Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. 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 told the New York Times in 2017 that he learned about his fathers diagnosis while doing a book report and finding a book about his father in the library while in elementary school. RELATED:See Charles Barkley's Only Daughter All Grown Up. Did you encounter any technical issues? "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.". Magic Johnsonis one of the most iconic athletes and NBA players in basketball history. Johnson was first called "Magic" when he was a star at Everett High School. To these days, the whole family supports EJ in every way, as the close and lovely family they all are. While Johnson can now attest to 30 years of life after being diagnosed with HIV, his journey living with the disease has been far from easy. 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. It happened," he said (via theDaily Mail). They cant tell you that youre not at risk, and you cant tell me theres one guy in the N.B.A. However, EJ had already discussed his sexual orientation with his family. EJ said, I like myself the way that I am. 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'm just very comfortable in my own skin. During the life cycle of the virus, HIV integrates into the host DNA. During his career as an NBA player, Johnson's annual salary was around $24 million, an amount . 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. Magic has three kids, but he and Cookie have two children together. And last week, the travails of the 1980s Lakersincluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat . And now, she is the owner of her own self-titled sunglasses company, Elisa Johnson. Youve got to support your child. As of this writing in 2022, EJ has not launched his own fashion line, but we're certainly keeping an eye out for it. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, addressed his gender identity Wednesday during an interview on E!News' Just the Sip. Magic Johnson is not only a legendary basketball player but a father of three. A New York Times review of the show referred to EJ as the most likeable character on the show. 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. "Yeah, racism, not so much. "I said that because I had tested HIV-positive, I was retiring from the NBA. 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 . About a year later, EJ had a similar heart-to-heart chat with his father. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Heres how it works. We lost michael johnson today and were crushed. EJ (Earvin Johnson III) can relate to this all too well. Remember, HIV-AIDS were still primarily labeled gay diseasesback then. Cookie said, Look in the mirror. I said, Youre right. Because Im proud of who I am. This is a gradual process known as the HIV life cycle and it is by blocking the virus at each stage of this process that it can be prevented from advancing to AIDS. EJ, 30, came out. In 2017, rumors began to circulate about a possible romantic relationship between EJ and Christopher Milan, a former Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star. I feel like this is the body that Im supposed to be in, he said in a 2019 interview. Today. Speaking withThe New York Times, EJ shed light on what went wrong. "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. ", A few years later, EJ finally put the public speculation to rest. As for Louis Vuitton using Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, in its women's line adsthe previous year, EJ claimed,"If you're going to do it, I think you should go with somebody who's actually doing it because they genuinely get it as opposed to somebody who just has a name and was doing it just to be out there." Celebrities often grow accustomed to having their privacy invaded by paparazzi. (Image credit: Science Photo Library - SCIEPRO via Getty Images). 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. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, spoke about what it was like coming out as gay to his father. Michael Johnson, son of TNT sportscaster Ernie E.J. Johnson, has died, his father said on social media Friday night. In. But being a fashion icon on the making has not to stop EJ from being a loving family guy with his parents and siblings. Hes a businessman and podcaster. He is Cookie Johnsons oldest child but Magic Johnsons middle child. His role as an influencer is a staple in his work that is grounded in gender-flouting. The retired point guard welcomed his first child, son Andre, 42, with ex-girlfriend . I had to accept who he was and who he wanted to be. EJs real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Legit.ng recently published Emily Faye Miller's biography. "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. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnson's kids total to two. "I was told not to say anything about him kissing me, but he did. who hasnt thought about it.. Johnson attended New York University where he studied hospitality with a focus on event planning and design, according to various different profiles. "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. 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Magics retirement is a true landmark in sports history. On that autumn day, Johnson announced he had HIV. 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. Magic Johnson was on hand to celebrate his son EJ Johnson's milestone birthday over the weekend. Today he is becoming a fashionista who is looking to give a stronger voice to the transgender community through his own experience. You have to be prepared for people to say certain things about you, and it just wasn't for me. #teamthis, A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Jun 18, 2016 at 2:44pm PDT. 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. She said, That was a very hard thing for me. Jonathan is the Editor of All About History magazine, running the day to day operations of the brand. The youngest of the group, Elisa, was adopted by the Johnsons in 1995 when she was just three days old. Magic added that he just needed more time. 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. 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. 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. The son of an autoworker, Johnson earned his nickname "Magic" in high school for his creative and entertaining ballhandling. Johnson came out as gay to his family at the age of 17 and came out publicly in 2013 after a report by TMZ published pictures of him holding hands with a male friend. 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. EJ Johnson has shown the world that he is an unstoppable force. In honor of Father's Day last year, he posted a photo of Magic, Cookie, Gigi, and Andre, along with a heartfelt tribute. "The surgery was definitely the best thing that ever happened to me," the star said. This also resulted in a good deal of skepticism from some of Johnsons peers. Magic's oldest son, Andre, was born in 1981, two years after his father first joined the NBA. I like my body.. How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV? ', It all goes down Tomorrow night ! READ ALSO: Emily Faye Miller's bio: life before and after Too Hot To Handle. In 2013, EJ was outed by TMZ. His style is androgynous, from ankle boots, sheer tops, diamond chokers, and furs to feminine with dresses with thigh-high slits. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. However, Magic's playing career was suddenly cut short in 1991 when he learned that he tested positive for HIV. He also shared some insight into his diet and exercise routine. 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. However, neither of them confirmed or denied the relationship. RELATED:See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. Both she and EJ tested negative for HIV. In the photos, he is elegantly posing next to a pool wearing a blue mini-dress that fits him just right. "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. You have to be prepared for people to say certain things about you, and it just wasnt for me, she said about starring with her brother on EJNYC. Unlike other former professional athletes' kids who have followed in their footsteps onto the court or field, Magic Johnson's children have all forged their own paths. EJ turned 30 on Saturday and marked the occasion with a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park . "I never thought that I'd look this good, and that is the God's honest truth. 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. We're gonna be fine. News, EJ Johnson once weighed about 360 pounds but underwent gastric sleeve surgery in early 2015. 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. When the NBA star first learned that EJ was gay, Magic expressed that this wasnt what he wanted for his son. Magic Johnson's Son Was the Executive Vice President of His Company Andre Johnson graduated in 1999 from Santa Monica College with a degree in Business Management. However, Magic revealed in that press conference that his biggest fan was less than thrilled. Bernadette Giacomazzo Dec 17, 2021. I Image: Getty Images. New York, I don't feel the need to do that. He was 33. ", Related: Magic Johnson Supports His Gay Son One Million Percent, EJ identifies as gender-fluid and is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. 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. 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. 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. appreciated. When did Magic Johnson have his son? 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. Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. The 62-year-old was first drafted on the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 and continued to play for them for 13 seasons.. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZessentially outed him, per TheThings. That pretty much says all we really need to know. EJ Johnson has long thought about taking a stab at the fashion industry. We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael. Theres so many people who try to discriminate against them. (The series was canceled after the first season. 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. He also takes great pride in his skills and talents as a make-up artist. 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. Magic often posts about his wife and kids on social media, but heres a closer look at his relationship with EJ, and how he has been the catalyst that changed Magic for the better. 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. section: | slug: magic-johnson-opens-up-on-living-with-hiv-30-years-after-his-diagnosis | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | 2. The fact that the gay man is the son of legendary NBA player, Magic Johnson . I dont feel the need to transition. COMING OUT . "When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents," the former basketball player said. 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. After celebrating his 28th birthday, EJ took to Instagram once more to post a series of pictures on his stories. He was unhappy with his portrayal on the show, saying, "I don't even recognize that person. Walton was fired and the team eventually hired former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel to . EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magics life. RELATED:See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. ", Regardless, EJ admits his loved ones' support helped ground him. The tabloid posted a video of the star holding hands with a man named Alessandro Monetti. 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 . Would love your thoughts, please comment. Magic Johnson dominated the court as one of professional basketball's best players for 13 years. Im very happy with myself. pic.twitter.com/JFTbV0U9YZ. "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. On "Oprah's Next Chapter," Cookie and Magic open up about how they learned their son was gay and why their love is unconditional. He has a Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Leeds. These and other HIV-fighting drugs are "hideously expensive," said Lieb. And he got it from me, Magic told Varietyin April 2022. Johnson, 37, and his wife of 13 years, Chastity, were . Hydeia Broadbent remains AIDS activist 20 years after TV special with Magic Johnson. 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. 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. EJ said its hard to date, lamenting, "It's always been a struggle. "This guy we adopted from Romania in 1991 and diagnosed with. "I was just like, 'Well, do I want to transition? 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. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); 10 amazing health stories you may have missed in 2021, How mental health affects physical health, "They told me that the three-drug combination was going to save my life, and they were right," Johnson told The Guardian (opens in new tab) in 2021. In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. He pressed a finger to a small, pinkish hole on his thigh that was developing into a scab. HIV spreads by hijacking a subset of white blood cells called CD4 cells or T cells, which are the body's first line of defense against foreign invaders, and using the cells' DNA to make copies of itself or replicate; in this process, these T cells get destroyed, according to Healthline (opens in new tab). 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. At the time of Magic Johnson's diagnosis, there was a strong stigma around HIV and AIDS. Furthermore, a low viral load severely reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); He lived up to that promise by making regular appearances, giving interviews and being an activist for HIV and AIDS organisations. 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. Please respect my privacy and my process., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on May 4, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT. 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 | 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.