This is something that transcends judgment and ignorance and should be seen as a vehicle to educate and inform people about gender fluidity. Youve got to support your child. Celebrities often grow accustomed to having their privacy invaded by paparazzi. NY 10036. In scientific terms, this mode of replication classifies HIV as a retrovirus, hence "antiretroviral" drugs. Speaking withThe New York Times, EJ shed light on what went wrong. ", Elisa ultimately decided not to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Things got rocky after the socialite was outed in 2013 when TMZposted a video of him holding hands with his then-boyfriend. ?Brandon Scoop B Robinson (@ScoopB) September 4, 2019. The gender-fluid fashionista is always flaunting his amazing wardrobe. Yet through all the ups and downs, he remains the same bubbly person he has always been. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnsons kids total to two. Awood "Mr. Magic" Johnson, a rapper best known for his work in the 90's on the No Limit Records label, has died. Hydeia Broadbent remains AIDS activist 20 years after TV special with Magic Johnson. Today. READ ALSO: Emily Faye Miller's bio: life before and after Too Hot To Handle. (Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) "It. That was a very, very hard thing for me. 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 am very, very, very blessed to have the family that I do," he said on "Gwissues." 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. Andre also shows a lot of love for his dad on social media, as well. I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. Hopefully this answers your question about why Magic Johnson retired. Mar 3, 2013 - 5:20 am. 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. It's just business as usual and that business is his family. The star initially came out to his mother when he was a teenager. Upon infection with HIV, a person's immune system kills off nearly all of the virus and infected cells. Today he is becoming a fashionista who is looking to give a stronger voice to the transgender community through his own experience. The Hall of Fame point guard also insisted he would become a spokesman for HIV. We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael. EJ launched a now-defunctfashion blog in 2014. An insider told ET,"The cast was upset because they wanted at least one more season to give closure to their storylines," but it sounds like EJ was ready to be done with all things E! He is now flexing his acting chops in With Love and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder revival. I'm very happy with myself," he said during an appearance on E! 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. 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. } ); Are you dating me or are you trying to date my dad?" I like my body. After Johnson's departure, the Lakers announced they would not fill the position that Johnson left. Hes a businessman and podcaster. I dont feel the need to transition. You can also learn about some of the cancers we're still battling and why they're so challenging. On Nov. 8, 1991, the day after the Los Angeles Lakers star announced he had been diagnosed with the virus, Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times (opens in new tab) wrote: "Many people [diagnosed] with HIV live many years with few serious effects on their health. Johnson was first called "Magic" when he was a star at Everett High School. News' recap, EJ urged his sister to call it quits with Alcaraz, and it looks like she eventually heeded his advice. Taking a look at his Instagram we can see how clothes are one of his biggest passions. Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. Johnson says he was sitting in a hotel in Utah, getting ready for an exhibition game when he got the call. The virus was a lot scarier at the time. 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. Both she and her . In 2017, rumors began to circulate about a possible romantic relationship between EJ and Christopher Milan, a former Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star. As fashionable and fashion-forward as he is, Johnson does not have a fashion line. After the discussion, Magics wife made sure to let him know that his reaction wasnt OK. Magic admitted to blurting out the first thing that came to his mind. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); When asked about the fashion industry's embrace of more androgynous styles and expression, EJ said, "I don't think the fashion world has made any type of major huge strides, where we need to start commending anybody yet. How and When Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? Please respect my privacy and my process., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on May 4, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT. According to a 2021 profile of Magic, his mother, a devout Christian, felt the nickname was "blasphemous.". appreciated. The series lasted just six episodes. Heres how it works. Nowadays, EJ Johnson seems to be living his dreams. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 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. He is known to have owned 105 Starbucks outlets and a 4.5% stake in . When you're close with your siblings, you don't ever really consider that one day you might be competing for boyfriends. 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. Theres so many people who try to discriminate against them. EJ is 62, just seven inches shorter than his father Magic. is amazing, he added. "I thought about it, for sure," he said (via Us Weekly). "Obviously, my family's always been in the spotlight," EJ told Out in 2014. ', It all goes down Tomorrow night ! The tabloid posted a video of the star holding hands with a man named Alessandro Monetti.. We've come across little random tidbits maybe, obviously when I'm in different parts of the world and other countries, things are different," he claimed. However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ. 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.'". Magic Johnson's net worth is currently estimated to be about $600 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Related: Winning Time: Why Magic Johnson Is At The Doctor's In 1991 & What Happened. EJ said, I like myself the way that I am. I always say that if you feel like youre not in the right body, then by all means get to where you want to be I dont feel that Im in the wrong body. 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. It was, like, this is supposed to be my show and my moment, and it wasn't what I wanted at all. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare genetic disorder of progressive muscular weakness, which typically affects boys, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Originally published on Live Science on 04 March 2022 and updated on 24 August 2022. This also resulted in a good deal of skepticism from some of Johnsons peers. Johnson and his wife Cookie Johnson tied the knot in 1991, one year before the Los Angeles Lakers player retired. ", Related: Magic Johnson Supports His Gay Son One Million Percent, EJ identifies as gender-fluid and is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Already a trailblazer who's been challenging long-standing gender stereotypes when it comes to his attire, EJ was considering launching his own fashion collection back in 2017, according to The New York Times. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. He has the support of his family including his father, Magic Johnson. "I've always loved being in front of people, being on stage and performing. Michael, who suffered . At the time, HIV/AIDS was widely associated with death at a young age, so for many people this outcome might have seemed impossible. His boardroom pitch wasn't enough to win Schultz over, so he . I mean, I looked good, but that was just me doing me." He played on the 1992 NBA All-Star Team as well as the "Dream Team" at the Olympics. And last week, the travails of the 1980s Lakersincluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat . 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. In response to the headlines, Magic said, Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. When talking about his positionas the Celebrity Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade in 2014 (via E! Here [in the United States] I do not experience that much racism, I feel like that's probably more prevalent before I was born.". Needless to say, basketball legends Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson ceased being true friends a long time ago. He is an openly gay man who champions the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community. 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.' "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. scientific studies and medical journals. Remember, HIV-AIDS were still primarily labeled gay diseasesback then. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, An epidemiologist explains how Magic Johnson has survived HIV. 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. 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.". 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. He has six siblings and three half-siblings, all of whose names are unknown. I dont feel the need to transition. HIV and AIDS are not the only conditions we're still looking to cure. Its given me a whole new view on life. Shortly thereafter, EJ did his first coming out interview on Gwissues with Howard Bragman. 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. Because he was so proud. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZessentially outed him, per TheThings. Here's what you didn't know about EJ Johnson. ", A few years later, EJ finally put the public speculation to rest. EJ was a guest host on Fashion Police and has filledin on E! Michael Johnson, son of TNT sportscaster Ernie E.J. Johnson, has died, his father said on social media Friday night. 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. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". RELATED:See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. His clothing showed more skin after he dropped more than 100 pounds after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2014. ", 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. "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV.'". Magics retirement is a true landmark in sports history. His brother, Andre Johnson has a different mother. 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. Johnson wanted to bring Starbucks to the inner city, and he had to convince Schultz that his coffee shops would prosper there. The 62-year-old was first drafted on the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 and continued to play for them for 13 seasons.. 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. 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. 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. Im just very comfortable in my own skin. It is a day in history when people too young to remember will inevitably ask their elders why Magic Johnson retired. 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 . But I don't feel incomplete in that way. 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. He lived up to that promise by making regular appearances, giving interviews and being an activist for HIV and AIDS organisations. 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. 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. "We were just so astonished at the things he was saying, and not just that he brought my dad into it, but the fact that he was being just blatantly racist. We're very proud of him." "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. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. However, Magic revealed in that press conference that his biggest fan was less than thrilled. He is a television personality, socialite and actor. He said on an interview: I guess youre just floating in the spectrum, youre not really defined by any gender confines if you will, Im just EJ.. "I always had dreams and plans of doing my own thing and creating my own image, so it came a little sooner than I thought it would but this is still something I knew I would be going through and would have to experience.". Watch! 01 Mar 2023 15:17:10 Earvin went to Everett High School in Michigan for the duration of his high school experience, despite their basketball team . 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). 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. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. Maybe you've heard about him on the internet or in a tabloid headline. Michael Johnson, son of TNT sportscaster Ernie "E.J." Johnson, has died, his father said on social media Friday night. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic Johnson said. 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. 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. After celebrating his 28th birthday, EJ took to Instagram once more to post a series of pictures on his stories. Magic Johnson was on hand to celebrate his son EJ Johnson's milestone birthday over the weekend. 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. Related: Try Dopamine Dressing With 20 New Looks. In the series, his relationship with his youngest son, EJ, is explored. 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. And I will," Johnson wrote. Would love your thoughts, please comment. In 1995, the Johnson family adopted Elisa Johnson when she was a baby. Old Lady Adopts Lost Little Boy with Note in His Pocket, His Mother Returns after 13 Years Story of the Day, Man Kicks His 60-Year-Old Wife Out of the House after Learning Shes Pregnant with Triplets Story of the Day, Wanting to Be a Lifeguard Like Late Dad, Boy Saves Drowning Girl & Gets a Box from Her Mom Later Story of the Day, Mark Wahlberg Wants to Devote More Time to Parenting in Private & Asks Record $87.5M for His LA Mansion, Woman Takes Bullet for Strangers Son, His Dad Attends Funeral and Meets 9 Crying Kids There Story of the Day, Every Day Woman Sees Old Man with Boy on the Shore, Once They Dont Show Up and She Gets Worried Story of the Day, Young Man Who Never Knew His Parents Pushes Father Away, Learns about His Will Months Later Story of the Day, Woman Divorces Husband of 36 Years after Their Only Son Finds Out He Has a Brother Story of the Day, Eric Christian Olsen Was Mean to Wife When They Met - She Was Not Impressed by Him Either, Stepson Mocked by Adoptive Parents & Their Children Finds Letters They Hid from Him Story of the Day, Man Can't Become a Dad for Years, Refuses to Adopt until He Sees the Kid from His Childhood Vision, Old Man Finds Kid in Cold Forest and Learns She Is His Granddaughter He Never Knew About Story of the Day, Grandparents Kick Pregnant Teen Out in the Cold, Years Later They Ask For Her Help Story of the Day, Man Follows Wife Who Sneaks Out Every Night and Catches Her Visiting a Huge Mansion Story of the Day. ESPN's Chris Fowler spoke over a video montage . 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. Walton was fired and the team eventually hired former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel to . In honor of Father's Day last year, he posted a photo of Magic, Cookie, Gigi, and Andre, along with a heartfelt tribute. And that trumped everything," Cookie Johnson said. 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. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is best-known for his skills on the basketball court, but he's also a devoted family man. In 2013, TMZ published a story with photos of EJ holding hands with his then-boyfriend. It's all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do.. We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including America's Favorite Gay Newsman: Openly Gay Anderson Cooper Split With Restauranter Partner; Boyfriend Still Family. But we also know well see him againand that sustains us, Johnson, a father of six, wrote. Magic Johnson death news is trending on the Internet. 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. I don't feel that I'm in the wrong body. When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. 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). Im very happy with myself. Magic was diagnosed with HIV 45 days after Cookie and Magic married, and their lives were permanently transformed. ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. He became a household name when he appeared on Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, and got his spinoff show called EJNYC. 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. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. "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. Johnsons friends and rivals all embraced him on the floor, as if the barriers initially created by the disease had been totally wiped away. According to E! https://t.co/RQM9OCSd77. "I read a story where you went to him and said . There's [sic] so many factors. The death fake caused the Twittersphere to go crazy, as usual. 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.. 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. 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. 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. They have a son, EJ, and in 1995, they adopted a girl, Elisa. When he was younger, he would love to play with dolls. He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magics life. "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. News in 2018 that he had no plans to transition. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); EJ's mom said that her husband was worried about his son living . Johnson began to speak out and he has never retreated. 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. About a year later, EJ had a similar heart-to-heart chat with his father.