"And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV.'". His role as an influencer is a staple in his work that is grounded in gender-flouting. To these days, the whole family supports EJ in every way, as the close and lovely family they all are. 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 performance. 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. 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. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); The key weapon in the beginning was a regimen of three or four antiretroviral drugs, collectively known as antiretroviral therapy, or ART. In honor of Father's Day last year, he posted a photo of Magic, Cookie, Gigi, and Andre, along with a heartfelt tribute. EJ Johnson Sets the Record Straight on Transitioning | Just The Sip | E! The actor's personal life has made headlines as well. He shared that it was his mother who taught him a lot about brands like Chanel and Versace. The son of an autoworker, Johnson earned his nickname "Magic" in high school for his creative and entertaining ballhandling. 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. 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. In 1991, Cookie was pregnant with EJ when Magic announced to the world that he was HIV positive. "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.". The key with Johnson and others has been preventing their incurable disease from progressing into AIDS. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. 's "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" during his junior year. "I've always loved being in front of people, being on stage and performing. 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". Currently, EJ is reportedly single. "The man that led me on is now hooking up with my sister, and I'm supposed to be OK with it.". "I told her how I was feeling and she obviously told me that she had known and always would love me anyway," he said during an interview with "Gwissues" host Howard Bragman (via ESPN). First of all, the celebrity thing who are you here for, are you dating me or are you trying to date my dad?, In August 2018, EJ lost his best friend, Lyric McHenry, to a drug overdose. Walton was fired and the team eventually hired former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel to . 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. And last week, the travails of the 1980s Lakersincluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat . After I got all the love and support from my family then I knew I could go out and conquer the world, I guess.". Despite indicating the doctors told him there was no risk of transmission, Johnsons return during the 1992 preseason was frowned upon. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magics life. Spencer Lieb is a HIV/AIDS research coordinator with The AIDS Institute. EJ launched a now-defunctfashion blog in 2014. ", "It's a totally new mindset," EJ told Page Sixthat September. ': What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series through the Years, Dwyane Wade's Trans Daughter Knew Her Gender Identity at 3 & Revealed Her Boyfriend at 14 Inside Zaya's Life, Millionaire's Son Kicks Wife and Baby Out into the Cold, Loses His Inheritance the Next Day Story of the Day, Twins Send Dad to Nursing Home, Learn He Left Inheritance to Janitor Who Is Their Carbon Copy Story of the Day. Of course, the revelation about Magic Johnson's diagnosis said to be the result of an extra-marital affair led to a significant period of turmoil for the family. The tabloid posted a video of the star holding hands with a man named Alessandro Monetti. In the 1988 NBA Finals between the Pistons and the Lakers, Thomas and Johnson. Celebrities often grow accustomed to having their privacy invaded by paparazzi. 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. The transformed, soon-to-be NYU grad and son of Magic Johnson showed off his new look on Good Day New York. 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. Johnson insisted, even then, that he would be around the league and the Lakers. He was 33. 1:59 Coming for b*tches 5:48 Unlikely friends 7:24 Magic Johnsons Son 9:48 The ho phase 11:06 Transitioning? The rising reality star is the son of NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson. You need to get creative.". Magic Johnson is not only a legendary basketball player but a father of three. section: | slug: magic-johnson-opens-up-on-living-with-hiv-30-years-after-his-diagnosis | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | Magic Johnson and EJ have a great relationship, but theyre also open about the work it took to get there when EJ first came out. 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. You have to be prepared for people to say certain things about you, and it just wasn't for me. "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). Upon infection with HIV, a person's immune system kills off nearly all of the virus and infected cells. They cant tell you that youre not at risk, and you cant tell me theres one guy in the N.B.A. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and our family. Although Johnson reacted at first, he talked to his son the next day and at that moment, they knew everything was going to be fine between them. His father took a while to come around to the news. A video surfaced on Twitter of Lopez and EJ Johnson getting their dance on to Teena Maries Square Biz while at his Magic Johnsons 60th Birthday party in Saint Tropez. 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 takes great pride in his skills and talents as a make-up artist. He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, sports, gaming and more with his friend Mike Dupree. EJ often will reflect on his childhood and his innate inclination toward fashion and design. EJ singled out the show's producers, claiming, "Everyone was just worried about me being 'relatable,' and even that word made me want to gag.". Interestingly enough, EJ spilled all the inside tea when he appeared on Jada Pinkett Smiths Red Table Talk. Im just very comfortable in my own skin. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' 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. I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. The youngest of the group, Elisa, was adopted by the Johnsons in 1995 when she was just three days old. Bernadette Giacomazzo Dec 17, 2021. Milan is currently in a relationship withtrans reality star and beauty influencer Lauryn England. Magic and Cookie Johnson may have one of the longest-lasting relationships in Hollywood. Johnsons friends and rivals all embraced him on the floor, as if the barriers initially created by the disease had been totally wiped away. Johnson began to speak out and he has never retreated. ", 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. That pretty much says all we really need to know. During his career as an NBA player, Johnson's annual salary was around $24 million, an amount . The reality series followed the eponymous star, sister Elisa Johnson, and their high-class crew living their best lives in the Big Apple. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=3f04818d-0c52-47fe-9dbf-229a559738e6&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=8719156970272511032'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); Everyone expected his life to suffer after his diagnosis. On "Oprah's Next Chapter," Cookie and Magic open up about how they learned their son was gay and why their love is unconditional. Speculation about the couples possible relationship began to circulate after they were spotted having lunch together. Also joining them were Cookie's mom, sister, and their nephew. On Mother's Day this year, he shared a photo on Instagram of his entire family celebrating, including his three kids and grandkids. HIV is now considered a chronic health condition that can be managed with the right drugs and a healthy lifestyle. His style is androgynous, from ankle boots, sheer tops, diamond chokers, and furs to feminine with dresses with thigh-high slits. Speaking withThe New York Times, EJ shed light on what went wrong. The doctor told him to immediately fly back to Los Angeles, but wouldn't tell him why. ?Brandon Scoop B Robinson (@ScoopB) September 4, 2019. He also questioned if EJ was sure he knew what he was saying. This guy we adopted from Romania in 1991 and diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy lived a miraculous life of 33 years, the TNT anchor said in an Instagram post that included a photo of Michael. He was cast in the first season of E! 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. 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 once told BETthat racism hasn't been a significant problem in his life. "Scarves were really big for men's fashion," EJ explained. 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. Shortly thereafter, EJ did his first coming out interview on Gwissues with Howard Bragman. "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 are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael. 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). 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.". Yet through all the ups and downs, he remains the same bubbly person he has always been. Related: Winning Time: Why Magic Johnson Is At The Doctor's In 1991 & What Happened. Photo: Getty Images They were one of the greatest NBA teams to ever take the hardwood. He lived up to that promise by making regular appearances, giving interviews and being an activist for HIV and AIDS organisations. ", According to BET, he also recognizes how lucky he is to be able to live freely as "a young Black man in the public eye who plays with gender norms." "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. 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. Andre Johnson is a businessman, podcaster, and proud father of two. 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. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. She was 26 years old when she was found dead above the Major Deegan Expressway. In scientific terms, this mode of replication classifies HIV as a retrovirus, hence "antiretroviral" drugs. When you're close with your siblings, you don't ever really consider that one day you might be competing for boyfriends. 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. It's just business as usual and that business is his family. RELATED:See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. Yet even without modern drugs, in rare instances a person living with HIV can manage on their own to keep AIDS at bay. 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 . Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, I could really feel the love. There was one drug then, now we have 30-something drugs.". Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is best-known for his skills on the basketball court, but he's also a devoted family man. Related: Try Dopamine Dressing With 20 New Looks. 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. Magic Johnson Investments He has had partnerships previously with Starbucks, 24-Hour Fitness, T.G.I Fridays, and AMC Theatres. But while Johnson and many others are able to manage their condition, many others are not as fortunate. Theres so many people who try to discriminate against them. Andre, Magic's son from a previous relationship with Melissa Mitchell, was born in 1981. It was a little tough, said Cookie during the interview. He also appeared on Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart. He is Cookie Johnsons oldest child but Magic Johnsons middle child. Magic Johnson's net worth is currently estimated to be about $600 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The singer's two younger daughters are his little lookalikes. 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. Both she and her . #EJNYC premieres tomorrow night at 11 only on E! Its given me a whole new view on life. 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. They claimed the pair were an official item. } else { Besides recognizing himself as a gender-fluid person, he has also been known for enjoying his lavish way of living. 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. In June, Andre posted a photo of his familystep mom Cookie includedat Gigi's sixth-grade graduation. Im almost 100 percent positive I wont. 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.