The U.S. would go on to capture the gold medal in overwhelming fashion, and Magics beaming smile might otherwise have been a symbol of his triumph. As it turns out, he was planning on publicly revealing his sexuality anyway. Despite indicating the doctors told him there was no risk of transmission, Johnsons return during the 1992 preseason was frowned upon. 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. Updated During the conversation, EJ, who came out as gay in . ", EJ Johnson is aware that as a public figure who is a member of two marginalized groups, he has a responsibility to be a role model. Rather than deny the existence of his boyfriend, the then-20-year-old star rolled with the punches. 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. Johnson says he was sitting in a hotel in Utah, getting ready for an exhibition game when he got the call. But we also know well see him againand that sustains us, Johnson, a father of six, wrote. Mental health continues to be a field that we hope to understand and appreciate more. } News' recap, EJ urged his sister to call it quits with Alcaraz, and it looks like she eventually heeded his advice. The retired point guard welcomed his first child, son Andre, 42, with ex-girlfriend . "I'm completely dedicated to living a new, healthy lifestyle." 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. #teamthis, A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Jun 18, 2016 at 2:44pm PDT. 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. Am I gonna die? Related:Meet Quincy Isaiah, the Michigan Man Playing Magic Johnson in HBO Maxs Winning Time. TMZ Sportspublished the last known paparazzi photo of the pair in 2017 and called Alcaraz Elisa's "quasi-boyfriend." Related: Try Dopamine Dressing With 20 New Looks. 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. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); 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. 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. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". 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.' Magic has three kids, but he and Cookie have two children together. This past May, it was announced that EJ will be co-starring on the new Disney+ show The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. EJ launched a now-defunctfashion blog in 2014. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including "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. In 2013, Johnson came out as gay to his family at the age of 17 after a TMZ report published pictures of him holding hands with a male friend. 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. 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. 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.'". Johnson confessed in an interview: I think it's all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be or what you want them to become. "Feeling all the elation feels today," EJ wrote on Instagram, sharing the news that he'd voice Michael Collins. Maybe you've seen him on his E! "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. I think its all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be or what you want them to become. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZessentially outed him, per TheThings. Magic Johnson has three children. He was unhappy with his portrayal on the show, saying, "I don't even recognize that person. What Happened To Magic Johnson's Son Johnson's son, EJ III, born Earvin Johnson III was born on June 4th 1992 in Beverly Hills, California. The name stuck despite Magic's mother's distaste for it. The death fake caused the Twittersphere to go crazy, as usual. Admit it, these tracks are so good, you actually thought they were originals. He was given the nickname by a sports writer who had just seen the 15-year-old prepster notch 36 points, 16 rebounds. Magics retirement is a true landmark in sports history. 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. "We love him and EJ is amazing, so you gotta support your child. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. I could really feel the love. 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. Hydeia Broadbent remains AIDS activist 20 years after TV special with Magic Johnson. Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA and made his diagnosis public very quickly and then opened up about his experience. EJ told Jada Pinkett Smith in an April 2019 episode of Red Table Talk that dating was hard because of his famous father. 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. These and other HIV-fighting drugs are "hideously expensive," said Lieb. 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! 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. Because there are so many people who try to discriminate against them, so they need you to support them. A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:53pm PST. 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. At 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Johnson was a mountain of a man, the biggest, most powerful point guard anyone had ever seen. Also joining them were Cookie's mom, sister, and their nephew. 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.. America's Favorite Gay Newsman: Openly Gay Anderson Cooper Split With Restauranter Partner; Boyfriend Still Family. Because he was so proud. (Image credit: Science Photo Library - SCIEPRO via Getty Images). 1:59 Coming for b*tches 5:48 Unlikely friends 7:24 Magic Johnsons Son 9:48 The ho phase 11:06 Transitioning? EJ Johnson was born on June 4, 1992. One thing, of course, was very clear: there had been infidelity on Johnsons part. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZ essentially outed him, per TheThings. Today, two of the six original Magic Johnson-branded theaters remain open, in Harlem in New York City and suburban Washington, D.C., though he doesn't own either of them. 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 | In 2013, TMZ published a story with photos of EJ holding hands with his then-boyfriend. Michael, who suffered . I also said that I was going to become a spokesperson in the fight against the human immunodeficiency virus and an advocate for practicing safe sex by using condoms. xhr.send(payload); "We appreciate the love and kindness you shower us with daily.". I Image: Getty Images. He has previously worked as Editor of video game magazines games and X-ONE and tech magazines iCreate and Apps. 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? We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at 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. 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. The 62-year-old was first drafted on the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 and continued to play for them for 13 seasons.. Upon graduation, he worked in A&R for five years at Elektra Entertainment with artists like Jay Z, Missy Elliott, and Gwen Stefani. is amazing, he added. I love everything about it." 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. He'd come up with stupid rules: 'No scarves in the house.' "When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents," the former basketball player said. Magic Johnson was invited to participate as a member of the Western Conference during the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the MVP after scoring 25 points and adding nine assists in a feel-good. I feel like this is the body that Im supposed to be in, he said in a 2019 interview. Reality TV star E.J. 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. 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). The first enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, turns the virus' genetic instructions encoded in a single RNA strand into double-stranded DNA. RELATED:See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. To these days, the whole family supports EJ in every way, as the close and lovely family they all are. 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 . As fashionable and fashion-forward as he is, Johnson does not have a fashion line. } ); According to research and estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (opens in new tab), as of 2019 about 1.18 million Americans have HIV, and 13 percent of them are undiagnosed. spinoff, EJNYC, which followed his life as he moved to New York City. When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. After Johnson's departure, the Lakers announced they would not fill the position that Johnson left. "I like myself the way that I am. Take on my day. For more entertainment and celebrity news sent to you directly, sign up for our daily newsletter. "I feel like I wasn't cut out for it," she told SSENSE Magazine in April 2017. Magic even posted on social media how proud he was of EJs new role. Andre, Magic's son from a previous relationship with Melissa Mitchell, was born in 1981. Presenting your official soundtrack to falling (or staying) in love. It was a total bombshell and one that inadvertently triggered an onslaught of rumors about EJ Johnson. 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. 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. Since Dec. 2018, he's been the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games. All Rights Reserved. His full name is Earvin Johnson III, but he goes by EJ professionally. 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.