Our deepest condolences are with Cheryl, Ernie and their family, friends and loved ones as we mourn with them, the statement read. I'm very happy with myself," he said during an appearance on E! Magic Johnson Emotionally Reveals When He Found Out His Son Was Gay: "I I tried everything, but finally I just said to myself, This child is innocent. Truth about Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas is that even friendship can The singer's two younger daughters are his little lookalikes. HIV is now considered a chronic health condition that can be managed with the right drugs and a healthy lifestyle. 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. One thing, of course, was very clear: there had been infidelity on Johnsons part. What's the real deal with EJ Johnson? But 30 years later, the NBA legend is still pursuing his passions, with Cookie by his side. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. I Image: Getty Images. 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. He also takes great pride in his skills and talents as a make-up artist. She studied at FIT and launched her own label, Elisa Johnson Co. She prefers to stay out of the spotlight. "We love him and EJ is amazing, so you gotta support your child. News in 2018 that he had no plans to transition. "I thought about it, for sure," he said (via Us Weekly). Magics retirement is a true landmark in sports history. ', It all goes down Tomorrow night ! "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". "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. The Drugs, Sex, and Swagger of the 1980s Lakers--Plus How They'd - GQ Magic Johnson went from an unequivocal role in the NBA to a businessman and a legend in his own right. He is known to have owned 105 Starbucks outlets and a 4.5% stake in . I like my body.. In his own way, he is becoming a fashion reference and an example for the transgender community. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { New Orleans rapper Awood 'Mr. Magic' Johnson has died But then, I moved to New York to go to college and when he came back to visit, he picked me up for dinner and he hugged me so hard, he almost broke my back, and then at that point, I was like, 'We're gonna be okay.' He'd come up with stupid rules: 'No scarves in the house.' I really think its important that you not listen to so many fads; you really need to find what works for you, EJ told Page Six in September 2015. Although the unfortunate response to Johnsons condition will forever be somewhat of a black mark on the NBAgranted, HIV was a mostly unknown diseaseit is interesting to look back at some of the phrases and words Johnson used during his first retirement press conference in 1991. "The man that led me on is now hooking up with my sister, and I'm supposed to be OK with it.". 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. We send our heartfelt condolences to Ernie, Cheryl and their family during this difficult time.. 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. He was the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games and is currently the Executive Vice President of Business Development at SimWin Sports. section: | slug: magic-johnson-opens-up-on-living-with-hiv-30-years-after-his-diagnosis | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | https://t.co/RQM9OCSd77. Since EJ Johnsons sexual orientation has become public, his famous father has appeared in interviews speaking out about the importance of embracing children for who they are. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); EJ Johnson Sports 180-Pound Weight Loss in a Sheer Shirt - E! Online Speculation about the couples possible relationship began to circulate after they were spotted having lunch together. I like my body., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Sep 3, 2019 at 9:42am PDT. 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. Hes a businessman and podcaster. "This guy we adopted from Romania in 1991 and diagnosed with. 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. Twenty-five years ago today, Magic Johnson announced he had HIV 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. When and How Did Magic Johnson Get HIV? - The Cinemaholic Find out why exercise can be important to mental health too. NY 10036. EJ Johnson's fans aren't the only ones who speculated about his gender identity, however. EJ's mom said that her husband was worried about his son living . By Barbara Pavone / Updated: Aug. 3, 2021 7:23 pm EDT. When it was time to come out, I was, obviously, scared as most people are. His brother, Andre Johnson has a different mother. 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. Cookie Johnson, Magics wife, and EJ talked about the experience during an episode of Facebook's Red Table Talk show. Magic Johnson Death News Trending On Internet: What Happened To Him According to Magic's comments at that press conference, Cookie threatened to leave him if he tried to return for more than one season. I had to accept who he was and who he wanted to be. In response to the headlines, Magic said, Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. "The school called my mom and was like, 'We don't know if you want him to do the book report, because it talks about the H.I.V.,'" EJ said, adding, "I think it was at that point that they told me that he had been sick and he's a lot better.". "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. At the time, HIV/AIDS was widely associated with death at a young age, so for many people this outcome might have seemed impossible. 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.". (The series was canceled after the first season. 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. Because there are so many people who try to discriminate against them, so they need you to support them. Legends profile: Magic Johnson | NBA.com Besides recognizing himself as a gender-fluid person, he has also been known for enjoying his lavish way of living. TMZ Sportspublished the last known paparazzi photo of the pair in 2017 and called Alcaraz Elisa's "quasi-boyfriend." On Mother's Day this year, he shared a photo on Instagram of his entire family celebrating, including his three kids and grandkids. "And he just could not stand it. You need to get creative.". I dont feel the need to transition. Magic Johnson reportedly resigned from Lakers after being copied on In honor of Father's Day last year, he posted a photo of Magic, Cookie, Gigi, and Andre, along with a heartfelt tribute. 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). His clothing showed more skin after he dropped more than 100 pounds after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2014. Magic Johnson holding the Walter A. "I feel like I wasn't cut out for it," she told SSENSE Magazine in April 2017. Magic Johnson - Wikipedia 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. They have a son, EJ, and in 1995, they adopted a girl, Elisa. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. "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. Legit.ng recently published Emily Faye Miller's biography. 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. If one thing's for sure, it's that he's got all the makings of a star, but he's forging his own path away from his father's fame. During his career as an NBA player, Johnson's annual salary was around $24 million, an amount . A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:53pm PST. In 1992, he returned to play in the All-Star Game, not without some opposition, and later that year played on America's "Dream Team" in the. It was a little tough, said Cookie during the interview. When the NBA star first learned that EJ was gay, Magic expressed that this wasnt what he wanted for his son. 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. He appeared on CNNs This Is Life in 2018 and opened up about his identity. The virus was a lot scarier at the time. 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. Sometimes it's hard being in the middle, kind of in the gray area in my own lane." Nevertheless, the media too often shows a lack of boundaries. Were getting a closer look into the life and career of NBA legend Magic Johnson with They Call Me Magic streaming on Apple TV+. However, EJ had already discussed his sexual orientation with his family. 12:46 pm ET, Bucks vs. 76ers odds, picks, computer sims, Morant to miss 'at least' two games after IG post, NBA DFS picks, lineups, advice, March 4 strategy, Grizzlies' Clarke out for season with Achilles injury, Raptors vs. Wizards odds, picks, computer sims, Streaking Warriors must overcome one major roadblock, Magic Johnson opens up on 30 years with HIV, Window for Durant, Suns is open -- until it's not, Morant to miss two games after video with gun, Nuggets beat Grizz, likely lock up West's top spot, Randle's game-winner runs Knicks' win streak to eight, Celtics booed off floor after blowing 28-point lead. It's just business as usual and that business is his family. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! I feel like this is the body I'm supposed to be in. 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. Separately, Magic posted a photo of Cookie, in honor of the occasion. ", Earlier this month on EJ's 29th birthday, his dad posted on Instagram: "To my beautiful and fabulous son EJ, Happy Birthday!! Michael Johnson, son of TNT sportscaster Ernie "E.J." Johnson, has died, his father said on social media Friday night. And last week, the travails of the 1980s Lakersincluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat . (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for GLAAD). See Magic Johnson's Three Children All Grown Up Today 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. It was, like, this is supposed to be my show and my moment, and it wasn't what I wanted at all. 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. He is an openly gay man who champions the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community. They claimed the pair were an official item. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magic's life. } ); 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. They Call Me Magic - Apple TV+ Press Who is Magic Johnson's Youngest Son EJ Johnson? - Parade: Entertainment I love everything about it." 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 is a day in history when people too young to remember will inevitably ask their elders why Magic Johnson retired. 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. ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. Are you dating me or are you trying to date my dad?" He is Cookie Johnsons oldest child but Magic Johnsons middle child. "I've always been very fashion-forward," he said in an episode of "EJNYC" (via Us Weekly). Winning Time: How & When Earvin Became Known As Magic Johnson - ScreenRant This is something that transcends judgment and ignorance and should be seen as a vehicle to educate and inform people about gender fluidity. COMING OUT . 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. While Magics decision to retire was clear enough, the implications were still rather unknown. Researchers have developed a number of powerful drugs to help people like Johnson block and contain the virus. 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. In fact, Magic said that he has to bribe his wife to even get her to approve of him returning for one season. 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. Charles Johnson's Thoughts & Adventures on Twitter: "I enjoyed the As of this writing in 2022, EJ has not launched his own fashion line, but we're certainly keeping an eye out for it. 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. It's all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do.. He revealed on the season finale of "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" that he'd lost about 180 pounds since the procedure. 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. 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Magic Johnson's remarkable life was thrown into question after he was diagnosed with HIV. It was sad. Magic Johnson son EJ talks coming out to his father - Yahoo! Magic Johnson's Parents Actually Hated His Nickname - Bustle He also questioned if EJ was sure he knew what he was saying. To see what Magic Johnson's three children are up to and to learn more about the tight-knit Johnson family, read on. ", "It's a totally new mindset," EJ told Page Sixthat September. At the time, EJ was still a student at New York University. Hydeia Broadbent remains AIDS activist 20 years after TV special with Magic Johnson. The star had some questions of his own especially surrounding Caitlyn Jenner's abovementioned Vanity Fair cover. RELATED:See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. Mar 3, 2013 - 5:20 am. "I've always loved being in front of people, being on stage and performing. When talking about his positionas the Celebrity Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade in 2014 (via E! Winning Time: Where is Magic Johnson's Wife Cookie Today? 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. The Truth About Magic Johnson's Relationship With His Son EJ 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. He also appeared on Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZ essentially outed him, per TheThings. 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. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Since Dec. 2018, he's been the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson has become a living testament to advances in medicine that have turned human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from a death sentence into something that can be managed and lived with. I like my body. EJ, 30, came out. Everyone expected his life to suffer after his diagnosis. "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. "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). In 2013, EJ was outed by TMZ. One of Johnson's doctors who helped pioneer the treatment placed him on the then-experimental drug cocktail in 1994, about a year and a half before it came into widespread use in 1996, according to the Daily Beast (opens in new tab). The date was November 7, 1991. 2. RELATED: See Shaquille O'Neal's Daughter Amirah, Who's an NCAA Basketball Star. 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. 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. 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. He played on the 1992 NBA All-Star Team as well as the "Dream Team" at the Olympics. Johnson was first called "Magic" when he was a star at Everett High School. Magic Johnson's Change Of Heart: From Homophobia To Pride Magic Johnson Apologized to His Son EJ Johnson After EJ - Sportscasting 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. Magic even posted on social media how proud he was of EJs new role. 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. He has previously worked as Editor of video game magazines games and X-ONE and tech magazines iCreate and Apps. } Michael Johnson, son of TNT sportscaster Ernie E.J. Johnson, has died, his father said on social media Friday night. Needless to say, basketball legends Isiah Thomas and Magic Johnson ceased being true friends a long time ago. HIV and AIDS are not the only conditions we're still looking to cure. We lost michael johnson today and were crushed. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV? | Live Science "I like myself the way that I am. "I am very, very, very blessed to have the family that I do," he said on "Gwissues." "I'll Deal With It: HIV Has Forced Me To Retire, But I'll Still Enjoy Life As I Speak Out About Safe Sex," by Magic Johnson, "Magic Johnson opens up about his health, career 30 years after HIV diagnosis: 'You just sit there and say, what does this mean? What happened to Cleveland's Magic Johnson Theatre seen on Apple TV's Magic Johnson is one proud father to his son Earvin "EJ" Johnson. In 1977, he met Earlitha . He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. After I got all the love and support from my family then I knew I could go out and conquer the world, I guess.". Magic Johnson Bio: Children, Wife, Height, Net Worth Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. Magic has three kids, but he and Cookie have two children together. Magic Johnson - Son, Stats & Wife - Biography EJ Johnson has long thought about taking a stab at the fashion industry. However, it was not a shock to his parents. Updated Magic Johnson, byname of Earvin Johnson, Jr., (born August 14, 1959, Lansing, Michigan, U.S.), American basketball player who led the National Basketball Association (NBA) Los Angeles Lakers to five championships. "As we talk today, right now, I'm thinking, 'Wow' its been 30 years and I'm still here, healthy. The familys love, faith and commitment to one another will forever be an inspiration to us. I enjoyed the Trump presidency more than I should have but sense that I'll be paying the bill by having to explain to the kiddos what really happened. And now, she is the owner of her own self-titled sunglasses company, Elisa Johnson. I don't feel that I'm in the wrong body. Where is Magic Johnson from? 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. Its all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be or what you want them to become, Magic Johnson told Ellen DeGeneres on the Ellen Show. "Feeling all the elation feels today," EJ wrote on Instagram, sharing the news that he'd voice Michael Collins.