Related: Winning Time: Why Magic Johnson Is At The Doctor's In 1991 & What Happened. After Johnson's departure, the Lakers announced they would not fill the position that Johnson left. "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. if( 'moc.enilnoefiltseb' !== location.hostname.split('').reverse().join('') ) { When TMZ featured EJ Johnsons boyfriend, some were surprised to learn that he is gay. Magic Johnson - Early Life, Net Worth, Stats & Rings - Players Bio Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, In fact, it was made out of the same material, and the styling was near-identical. 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. These and other HIV-fighting drugs are "hideously expensive," said Lieb. #teamthis, A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Jun 18, 2016 at 2:44pm PDT. Yet even without modern drugs, in rare instances a person living with HIV can manage on their own to keep AIDS at bay. EJ turned 30 on Saturday and marked the occasion with a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park . HIV is now considered a chronic health condition that can be managed with the right drugs and a healthy lifestyle. "I'm completely dedicated to living a new, healthy lifestyle." READ ALSO: Emily Faye Miller's bio: life before and after Too Hot To Handle. 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. 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. That was a very, very hard thing for me. A Warner Bros. Inside The Lives Of Magic Johnson's Children - NickiSwift.com Magic Johnson is not only a legendary basketball player but a father of three. "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. reality series, "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" and its spin-off "EJNYC." "Even in the summer, you had you "Yeah, racism, not so much. 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.. } "I said that because I had tested HIV-positive, I was retiring from the NBA. Our deepest condolences are with Cheryl, Ernie and their family, friends and loved ones as we mourn with them, the statement read. They have a son, EJ, and in 1995, they adopted a girl, Elisa. The year was 2010, and scarves were in. "It proved to be the right decision," Magic Johnson said. You need to get creative.". EJ launched a now-defunctfashion blog in 2014. NY 10036. At the time of Magic Johnson's diagnosis, there was a strong stigma around HIV and AIDS. 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. All Rights Reserved. "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. 2. At the time, HIV/AIDS was widely associated with death at a young age, so for many people this outcome might have seemed impossible. In the past, EJ has consistently nabbed headlines for his unapologetic sense of fashion and candid attitude, whether he's speaking about the realities of LGBTQ+ adults or sparring with his sister, Elisa Johnson, on screen. 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. Would love your thoughts, please comment. It cant be wrong. As fashionable and fashion-forward as he is, Johnson does not have a fashion line. EJshort for Earvin Johnson III, named after his fathermade his debut as a reality TV star on the E! "It was a little tough", said Cookie during the interview. The reality series followed the eponymous star, sister Elisa Johnson, and their high-class crew living their best lives in the Big Apple. In. Magic Johnson holding the Walter A. Magic Johnson Retirement: Why Did Magic Johnson Retire - ClutchPoints "I was just like, 'Well, do I want to transition? EJ said, I like myself the way that I am. "We are so proud of her and I love that she's doing what she always wanted to do, work in the fashion industry," Magic wrote in an Instagram post. spinoff, EJNYC, which followed his life as he moved to New York City. Magic Johnson was on hand to celebrate his son EJ Johnson's milestone birthday over the weekend. Magic was diagnosed with HIV 45 days after Cookie and Magic married, and their lives were permanently transformed. However, Magic revealed in that press conference that his biggest fan was less than thrilled. Presenting your official soundtrack to falling (or staying) in love. 2022 Galvanized Media. As for Louis Vuitton using Will Smith's son, Jaden Smith, in its women's line adsthe previous year, EJ claimed,"If you're going to do it, I think you should go with somebody who's actually doing it because they genuinely get it as opposed to somebody who just has a name and was doing it just to be out there." In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner infamously debuted her transition on the cover of Vanity Fair. On "Oprah's Next Chapter," Cookie and Magic open up about how they learned their son was gay and why their love is unconditional. The first enzyme, called reverse transcriptase, turns the virus' genetic instructions encoded in a single RNA strand into double-stranded DNA. This is something that transcends judgment and ignorance and should be seen as a vehicle to educate and inform people about gender fluidity. Its all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do, Magic once said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Ernie Johnson's son Michael dies at age of 33 | CNN He has six siblings and three half-siblings, all of whose names are unknown. Magic Johnson Emotionally Reveals When He Found Out His Son Was Gay: "I EJ Johnson is a media personality and socialite best known as Magic Johnson's son. Magic Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know - people.com 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. He is Cookie Johnsons oldest child but Magic Johnsons middle child. He has the support of his family including his father, Magic Johnson. ESPN's Chris Fowler spoke over a video montage . At the time, EJ was still a student at New York University. "Scarves were really big for men's fashion," EJ explained. Apple today unveiled the teaser trailer for "They Call Me Magic," premiering April 22 on Apple TV+. Theres so many factors. EJ told Jada Pinkett Smith in an April 2019 episode of Red Table Talk that dating was hard because of his famous father. Hes a businessman and podcaster. To recap: during a bizarre interviewin 2014 with Anderson Cooper, Sterling the former owner of the Los Angeles Clippers who was banned from the NBA for life for making racist remarks claimed that Magic Johnson "should be ashamed of himself" for contracting 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! It happened," he said (via theDaily Mail). Magic Johnson son EJ talks coming out to his father - Yahoo! 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. However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ. Both she and EJ tested negative for HIV. 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.' Find out why so many people want to know about the famous father-son duo and why Magic apologized to EJ several years ago. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic Johnson said. 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. The Hall of Fame point guard also insisted he would become a spokesman for HIV. She's following in her mother's footsteps in more ways than one. I had to accept who he was and who he wanted to be. Magic even posted on social media how proud he was of EJs new role. Watch! ", Regardless, EJ admits his loved ones' support helped ground him. 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. Hydeia Broadbent remains AIDS activist 20 years after TV special with Magic Johnson. Michael Jordan Once Rejected an Epic $1 Million 1-on-1 Matchup Against Magic Johnson. Cookie Johnson, Magics wife, and EJ talked about the experience during an episode of Facebook's Red Table Talk show. In 2017, rumors began to circulate about a possible romantic relationship between EJ and Christopher Milan, a former Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star. Yet it was his charisma, especially at his precocious age, that floored. In an interview with The New York Times, he admitted that his mom suspected he may have been gay and tried to initiate the conversation in the past. On Mother's Day this year, he shared a photo on Instagram of his entire family celebrating, including his three kids and grandkids. 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. He retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for. 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 . Also joining them were Cookie's mom, sister, and their nephew. But I don't feel incomplete in that way. 2:38 PM EDT, Sat October 30, 2021. Johnson is the greatest point guard to ever walk the planet. "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.". navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); Upon graduation, he worked in A&R for five years at Elektra Entertainment with artists like Jay Z, Missy Elliott, and Gwen Stefani. 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. He also questioned if EJ was sure he knew what he was saying. Hopefully this answers your question about why Magic Johnson retired. 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. Discovery Company. He is known for wearing both men's and womens clothing and putting his own spin on it. "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills"was simultaneously canceled. Magic Johnson recounts the ugly end of his Lakers presidency They Call Me Magic - Apple TV+ Press I tried everything, but finally I just said to myself, This child is innocent. Besides recognizing himself as a gender-fluid person, he has also been known for enjoying his lavish way of living. I like my body.. In honor of Father's Day last year, he posted a photo of Magic, Cookie, Gigi, and Andre, along with a heartfelt tribute. Im just very comfortable in my own skin. I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. Sometimes it's hard being in the middle, kind of in the gray area in my own lane." We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael. Magic Johnson explains his abrupt resignation from Lakers Celebrities often grow accustomed to having their privacy invaded by paparazzi. The key with Johnson and others has been preventing their incurable disease from progressing into AIDS. Michael Johnson, son of Ernie Johnson, dies at 33 | Sporting News 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. He is responsible for directing the statewide Florida HIV/AIDS Research Consortium, whose HIV researchers have been responsible for more than 400 scientific studies. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magics life. However, it was not a shock to his parents. EJ often will reflect on his childhood and his innate inclination toward fashion and design. '", "Why Language Matters: Facing HIV Stigma in Our Own Words". Magic & Cookie Johnson's Relationship Timeline Spans Over 40 Years - Bustle 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. Cookie revealed that she noticed her son was different since he was a little boy, however, she thought he would grow out of it, but it happened the opposite. Magic Johnson death news is trending on the Internet. "I like myself the way that I am. ': 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. Shortly thereafter, EJ did his first coming out interview on Gwissues with Howard Bragman. He was 33. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. Miller is an English model . A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:53pm PST. Story highlights. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. The date was November 7, 1991. 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.. A subset of integrated HIV provirus remains transcriptionally silent, producing neither viral proteins nor viral progeny, until reactivation by various physiologic stimuli. I like my body. You can also learn about some of the cancers we're still battling and why they're so challenging. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, addressed his gender identity Wednesday during an interview on E!News' Just the Sip. "Obviously, my family's always been in the spotlight," EJ told Out in 2014. In 2015, EJ lost over 100 pounds and had surgery to remove excess weight. The death fake caused the Twittersphere to go crazy, as usual. Magic Johnson Investments He has had partnerships previously with Starbucks, 24-Hour Fitness, T.G.I Fridays, and AMC Theatres. (Image credit: YakubovAlim via Getty Images). Johnson retired abruptly in 1991 after announcing that he had contracted HIV, but returned to play in the 1992 All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award. Im just very comfortable in my own skin. Earvin went to Everett High School in Michigan for the duration of his high school experience, despite their basketball team . If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing When it was time to come out, I was, obviously, scared as most people are. EJ was a guest host on Fashion Police and has filledin on E! xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); Johnson has been starting his mornings off right ever since he lost more than 100 lbs.! Am I gonna die? 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. Jonathan is the Editor of All About History magazine, running the day to day operations of the brand. 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.. For more entertainment and celebrity news sent to you directly, sign up for our daily newsletter. ", 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.'". Upon infection with HIV, a person's immune system kills off nearly all of the virus and infected cells. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZessentially outed him, per TheThings. In June, Andre posted a photo of his familystep mom Cookie includedat Gigi's sixth-grade graduation. Magic Johnson's Son, EJ, Opens Up About His Gender Identity - EBONY "Feeling all the elation feels today," EJ wrote on Instagram, sharing the news that he'd voice Michael Collins. He was given the nickname by a sports writer who had just seen the 15-year-old prepster notch 36 points, 16 rebounds. EJ Johnson, Magic Johnson's Son: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know Johnson says meeting her as a girl changed his life. Theres so many people who try to discriminate against them. He played on the 1992 NBA All-Star Team as well as the "Dream Team" at the Olympics. Speculation about the couples possible relationship began to circulate after they were spotted having lunch together. New Orleans rapper Awood 'Mr. Magic' Johnson has died CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnsons kids total to two. Magic Johnson went from an unequivocal role in the NBA to a businessman and a legend in his own right. "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. Michael Johnson, the son of Turner Sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson, has died, his father announced Friday night. Magic Johnson - Son, Stats & Wife - Biography I never really thought it was under investigation. Magic Johnson | Biography, Documentary, & Facts | Britannica 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. She studied at FIT and launched her own label, Elisa Johnson Co. She prefers to stay out of the spotlight. 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. EJ Johnson has long thought about taking a stab at the fashion industry. After celebrating his 28th birthday, EJ took to Instagram once more to post a series of pictures on his stories. During the life cycle of the virus, HIV integrates into the host DNA. 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? They should probably start highlighting people who are doing it in the streets, as opposed to whatever celebrity they're putting in a skirt for five seconds just for publicity.". Milan is currently in a relationship withtrans reality star and beauty influencer Lauryn England. ", EJ also gave advice to closeted young people who might be looking to his lifestyle as a road map for their own. 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. And last week, the travails of the 1980s Lakersincluding Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and coach Pat . The gender-fluid fashionista is always flaunting his amazing wardrobe. An epidemiologist explains how Magic Johnson has survived HIV. He actually helped me get there. Truth about Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas is that even friendship can EJ Johnson was born to his famous parents on June 4, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California. EJ Johnson Sports 180-Pound Weight Loss in a Sheer Shirt - E! Online It was a total bombshell and one that inadvertently triggered an onslaught of rumors about EJ Johnson. Photo: Getty Images They were one of the greatest NBA teams to ever take the hardwood. Magic Johnson opens up on living with HIV 30 years after his diagnosis Admit it, these tracks are so good, you actually thought they were originals. It is a day in history when people too young to remember will inevitably ask their elders why Magic Johnson retired. ", According to E! 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. How and When Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZ essentially outed him, per TheThings. He also shared some insight into his diet and exercise routine. Magic Johnson Celebrates Son EJ's 30th Birthday: 'So Honored' - Peoplemag "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". Magic Johnson Likely Beefed With Teammates, But Not How