Andre, EJ, and Elisa have taken on very different career paths. We're very proud of him." Now, Johnson has never been shy about his gender-defying sense of fashion. It is not known if Johnson is among this "scarce breed," as Lieb called them, but more than likely "without medications, he'd be progressing.". Magic Johnsonis one of the most iconic athletes and NBA players in basketball history. 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 . 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.. 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. According to Too Fab, the discussion on Smiths talk show revealed that Magics initial reaction didnt have quite the same tone and message. Magic Johnson: the NBA superstar who smashed HIV stigma - the Guardian I'm very happy with myself," he said during an appearance on E! 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). When he spoke to The New York Times about the incident in 2017, he noted that TMZ reached out to his father for a comment on the photos of his son holding hands with another young man. Spencer Lieb is a HIV/AIDS research coordinator with The AIDS Institute. In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. We send our heartfelt condolences to Ernie, Cheryl and their family during this difficult time.. I love everything about it." His son EJ was born shortly, making headlines before he was even born. 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. She studied at FIT and launched her own label, Elisa Johnson Co. She prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Magic Johnson's Change Of Heart: From Homophobia To Pride Magic & Cookie Johnson's Relationship Timeline Spans Over 40 Years - Bustle You have to be prepared for people to say certain things about you, and it just wasn't for me. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); 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. For Magic Johnson, supporting his gay son Earvin Johnson III, known as "E.J.," wasn't even a question. What You Don't Know About Magic Johnson's Son EJ - NickiSwift.com We're gonna be fine. "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). The date was November 7, 1991. During his time on the show, EJ could be seen yachting, shopping at Chanels flagship store in Manhattan and driving in the $120,000 Mercedes his parents bought him for this 21st birthday. Johnson wanted to bring Starbucks to the inner city, and he had to convince Schultz that his coffee shops would prosper there. "It was a little tough", said Cookie during the interview. Magic Johnson's Kids: Meet The NBA Legend's 3 Children - Hollywood Life EJ Johnson is a media personality and socialite best known as Magic Johnson's son. 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. 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. 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. "I was just like, 'Well, do I want to transition? How has Magic Johnson survived with HIV? Magic Johnson and Hydeia Broadbent Met 20 Years Ago During - NewsOne However, Magic revealed in that press conference that his biggest fan was less than thrilled. Early Childhood and Education. (Image credit: YakubovAlim via Getty Images). "I thought about it, for sure," he said (via Us Weekly). It was a little tough, said Cookie during the interview. He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. 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. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnsons kids total to two. He shared that it was his mother who taught him a lot about brands like Chanel and Versace. And last week, the travails of the 1980s Lakersincluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat . As it turns out, EJ Johnson and his younger sister, Elisa Johnson, have the same type so much so that she started dating his pseudo-ex in 2016. 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. Ive never done anything on television that is this honest and real, he shared in an Instagram post promoting the segment. Both she and EJ tested negative for HIV. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb. I get these every night, every game, he said. How Magic Johnson Fought the AIDS Epidemic | The New Yorker The tabloid posted a video of the star holding hands with a man named Alessandro Monetti.. ", 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. In June, Andre posted a photo of his familystep mom Cookie includedat Gigi's sixth-grade graduation. Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA and made his diagnosis public very quickly and then opened up about his experience. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Celebrities often grow accustomed to having their privacy invaded by paparazzi. 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. More from Magic Johnsons Interview and Chat with the Ellen Show below: Its all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do, Magic Johnson told Ellen. 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. Nowadays, EJ Johnson seems to be living his dreams. The HIV-AIDS epidemic began in earnest in the 1980s, but there was still very little knowledge as to how the disease was contracted or what it meant in terms of contagiousness and long-term impact. He is currently based in Bournemouth, UK. In 1991, Cookie was pregnant with EJ when Magic announced to the world that he was HIV positive. You need to get creative.". At the time, HIV/AIDS was widely associated with death at a young age, so for many people this outcome might have seemed impossible. Everyone expected his life to suffer after his diagnosis. 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. Johnson, 37, and his wife of 13 years, Chastity, were . His role as an influencer is a staple in his work that is grounded in gender-flouting. "It proved to be the right decision," 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 posts about his wife and kids often on social media. In the photos, he is elegantly posing next to a pool wearing a blue mini-dress that fits him just right. 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.' That pretty much says all we really need to know. ': 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. It cant be wrong. Ernie Johnson's son Michael dies at age of 33 | CNN He was cast in the first season of E! He actually helped me get there. During the life cycle of the virus, HIV integrates into the host DNA. "It helped people who were living with not just HIV and AIDS, but with any disease, that you can live on, you can be live a productive life.". But we also know well see him againand that sustains us, Johnson, a father of six, wrote. EJ said, I like myself the way that I am. "I like myself the way that I am. The virus was a lot scarier at the time. He was unhappy with his portrayal on the show, saying, "I don't even recognize that person. "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. 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 never really thought it was under investigation. Magic Johnson and His Family Including Son EJ - Yahoo! During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic. How the Magic Johnson-led Lakers' Showtime dynasty nearly never happened Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare genetic disorder of progressive muscular weakness, which typically affects boys, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I like my body.. It was seemingly just like any other in basketball circles. He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. 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. The Tragic Death of Magic Johnson's Best Friend Inspired Him for Years "Even in the summer, you had you When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. 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. appreciated. Turner sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson shared photo of son Michael, who died Friday at the age of 33. EJ Johnson has long thought about taking a stab at the fashion industry. But it's really not about scarves; it's really about him seeing you be you. Heres how it works. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! 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. A New York Times review of the show referred to EJ as the most likeable character on the show. When talking about his positionas the Celebrity Grand Marshall of the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade in 2014 (via E! Photo: Getty Images They were one of the greatest NBA teams to ever take the hardwood. 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. Magic Johnson is not only a legendary basketball player but a father of three. In 2015, EJ lost over 100 pounds and had surgery to remove excess weight. He is now flexing his acting chops in With Love and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder revival. News' recap, EJ urged his sister to call it quits with Alcaraz, and it looks like she eventually heeded his advice. Upon infection with HIV, a person's immune system kills off nearly all of the virus and infected cells. Story highlights. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { NY 10036. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at Johnson was first called "Magic" when he was a star at Everett High School. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. The Hall of Fame point guard also insisted he would become a spokesman for HIV. 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! Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. Surprise! EJ Johnson Boyfriend Issue - Openly Gay Roots From Dad Speaking withThe New York Times, EJ shed light on what went wrong. 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. What Magic Johnson Did After Son EJ Came Out To Him Johnson has been starting his mornings off right ever since he lost more than 100 lbs.! 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. "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. Magic Johnson played in five of Los Angeles eight preseason games that year, but he officially called it quits on Nov. 3, 1992 after an outpouring of criticism and concern from players and executives around the league. They claimed the pair were an official item. Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. EJ Johnson's sexuality might've surprised the media, but it didn't surprise his parents. And that trumped everything," Cookie Johnson said. "And he just could not stand it. Today he is becoming a fashionista who is looking to give a stronger voice to the transgender community through his own experience. Because he was so proud. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. Nevertheless, the media too often shows a lack of boundaries. TMZ Sportspublished the last known paparazzi photo of the pair in 2017 and called Alcaraz Elisa's "quasi-boyfriend." The star had some questions of his own especially surrounding Caitlyn Jenner's abovementioned Vanity Fair cover. Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is best-known for his skills on the basketball court, but he's also a devoted family man. The second enzyme, known as protease, creates new, functional HIV particles by cutting up the proteins produced by our hijacked cellular machinery. Magic Johnson's Parents Actually Hated His Nickname - Bustle 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Magic Johnson | Biography, Documentary, & Facts | Britannica I like my body. EJ put out a statement reading, Im going to make this clear to everyone there will be no mourning post because Im not going to reduce a 25yr friendship to 1 Instagram post. He played on the 1992 NBA All-Star Team as well as the "Dream Team" at the Olympics. He is a television personality, socialite and actor. ", 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." On the red carpet, the Johnsons also ran into Samuel L. Jackson, and posed for photos with the Academy Award-winning actor.. After the show, both Magic and his wife raved about the Broadway show . Why Magic Johnson's Wife Threatened To Leave Him Despite Sticking By We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Am I gonna die? In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner infamously debuted her transition on the cover of Vanity Fair. Inside The Lives Of Magic Johnson's Children - NickiSwift.com Magic Johnson opens up on living with HIV 30 years after his diagnosis Awood "Mr. Magic" Johnson, a rapper best known for his work in the 90's on the No Limit Records label, has died. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. Magic Johnson's net worth is currently estimated to be about $600 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. For more entertainment and celebrity news sent to you directly, sign up for our daily newsletter. EJ Johnson was born to his famous parents on June 4, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California. When the former Rich Kids of Beverly Hills cast member came out to his father, the longtime NBA legend did not take it so well. if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { When and How Did Magic Johnson Get HIV? - The Cinemaholic One of the most important contributions Johnson has made to people with HIV is making people more aware and understanding of the virus. Related: Winning Time: Why Magic Johnson Is At The Doctor's In 1991 & What Happened. "When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents," the former basketball player said. His full name is Earvin Johnson III, but he goes by EJ professionally. "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). 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.