I never really thought it was under investigation. On its website, the company says that the eyewear was designed by the youngest Johnsonand every pair "reflects Elisa's style." Magic Johnson has three children. However, thanks to advancements in antiretroviral drugs and management of the condition, the 63-year-old continues to thrive in his roles as a sports analyst, businessman and HIV activist more than 30 years later. Were getting a closer look into the life and career of NBA legend Magic Johnson with They Call Me Magic streaming on Apple TV+. During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Magic Johnson discussed living with HIV three decades after he was initially diagnosed with the virus prior to the 1991-92 NBA season. I love everything about it." 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.'". When and How Did Magic Johnson Get HIV? - The Cinemaholic Andre is married to Lisa Meyers Johnson, and has two kids, Gigi and Avery. Its given me a whole new view on life. Magic Johnson's 3 Kids: Everything to Know - people.com "Feeling all the elation feels today," EJ wrote on Instagram, sharing the news that he'd voice Michael Collins. Johnson, now 60, is currently the CEO and the founder of Magic Johnson Enterprises (MJE), an investment conglomerate valued at an estimated $1 billion dollars, according to its website. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' 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 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. 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). In 1991, the 13-season Los Angeles Lakers star married his wife, Cookie, who gave birth to their son EJ Johnson soon after. Shortly thereafter, EJ did his first coming out interview on Gwissues with Howard Bragman. I feel like this is the body Im supposed to be in. Apple today unveiled the teaser trailer for "They Call Me Magic," premiering April 22 on Apple TV+. The Tragic Death of Magic Johnson's Best Friend Inspired Him for Years In addition to EJ, the Johnsons adopted Elisa Johnson when she was three days old in 1995. EJ Johnson was born on June 4, 1992. 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. Magic Johnson - Son, Stats & Wife - Biography 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.. E.J. And I will," Johnson wrote. The virus was a lot scarier at the time. Go do my, Magic Johnson Discusses His Son's Coming Out. 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. Ernie Johnson's son Michael dies at age of 33 | CNN 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. On Mother's Day this year, he shared a photo on Instagram of his entire family celebrating, including his three kids and grandkids. Hes a businessman and podcaster. Magic Johnson went from an unequivocal role in the NBA to a businessman and a legend in his own right. The next day, he apologized to his son as he emotionally told him they would get through this. In 1995, the Johnson family adopted Elisa Johnson when she was a baby. 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. In June, Andre posted a photo of his familystep mom Cookie includedat Gigi's sixth-grade graduation. 1:59 Coming for b*tches 5:48 Unlikely friends 7:24 Magic Johnsons Son 9:48 The ho phase 11:06 Transitioning? 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. This latency of HIV allows some infected cells to escape immune detection and elimination, and these latently infected cells constitute the viral reservoir," wrote Nathan W. Cummins, MD and Andrew D. Badley, MD for Mayo Clinic Proceedings (opens in new tab) in 2015. It was kind of like an 'aha moment,' the realization that people like that still exist," EJ told The Daily Beastthat same year, adding, "He's a walking joke. In a 2022 interview with Variety, EJ spoke about how his father initially struggled to accept his identity. 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. } "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 collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. 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. 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. The girl who changed Magic Johnson | CNN They cant tell you that youre not at risk, and you cant tell me theres one guy in the N.B.A. Walton was fired and the team eventually hired former Pacers and Magic coach Frank Vogel to . It's all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do.. EJ turned 30 on Saturday and marked the occasion with a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park . 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. (Image credit: YakubovAlim via Getty Images). Speaking withThe New York Times, EJ shed light on what went wrong. However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ. In fact, it was made out of the same material, and the styling was near-identical. When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. Researchers continue to study long-term nonprogressors to get insights on HIV resistance that could help the 37.7 million people battling the virus, the current estimate of UNAIDS according to HIV.gov (opens in new tab). Now, Johnson has never been shy about his gender-defying sense of fashion. We're very proud of him." In the series, his relationship with his youngest son, EJ, is explored. Theres so many factors. The most common drugs in the ART regimen target two of the enzymes that HIV uses to replicate itself. 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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. 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. Sometimes it's hard being in the middle, kind of in the gray area in my own lane." On "Oprah's Next Chapter," Cookie and Magic open up about how they learned their son was gay and why their love is unconditional. Cookie Johnson was worried about Magic, but supportive. 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 . Thirty Years Later, Magic Johnson Is Still Doing Lifesaving Work 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.' 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. In 2013, TMZ published a story with photos of EJ holding hands with his then-boyfriend. Johnson announced his retirement from the NBA and made his diagnosis public very quickly and then opened up about his experience. A Warner Bros. Maybe you've heard about him on the internet or in a tabloid headline. He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, entertainment, sports and gaming with his friend Mike Dupree. Put on my outfit. EJ said, Its always been a struggle. He lived up to that promise by making regular appearances, giving interviews and being an activist for HIV and AIDS organisations. I feel like this is the body that Im supposed to be in, he said in a 2019 interview. 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! Both were recently reunited for debut of . Magic actually launched a comeback attempt prior to the 1992-93 season, but fears resurfaced when he took the floor. EJ Johnson, Magic Johnson's Son: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know 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. One thing, of course, was very clear: there had been infidelity on Johnsons part. To these days, the whole family supports EJ in every way, as the close and lovely family they all are. See Magic Johnson's Three Children All Grown Up Today, See Shaquille O'Neal's Daughter Amirah, Who's an NCAA Basketball Star, See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up, eyewear was designed by the youngest Johnson, See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star, See Charles Barkley's Only Daughter All Grown Up. Magic even posted on social media how proud he was of EJs new role. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and our family. Magic Johnson might be a legendary basketball player, but to his three kids, his most important role is dad. "I am very, very, very blessed to have the family that I do," he said on "Gwissues." The longtime Inside the NBA host said via Twitter, We are grieving and at the same time so grateful for having been witnesses to a miraculous 33 years with michael., A post shared by Ernie Johnson (@ernie.johnson). He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, sports, gaming and more with his friend Mike Dupree. According to Celebrity Net Worth, EJ Johnson has an estimated $5 million net worth. "The surgery was definitely the best thing that ever happened to me," the star said. He retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for. Here [in the United States] I do not experience that much racism, I feel like that's probably more prevalent before I was born.". 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. You can also learn about some of the cancers we're still battling and why they're so challenging. Before this, he worked as a senior epidemiologist with the Bureau of HIV/AIDS at the Florida Department of Health. "And what came out of the physical was, 'You have HIV.'". Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare genetic disorder of progressive muscular weakness, which typically affects boys, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It is a "myth," said Lieb, that Johnson, who is wealthy, is buying himself special treatments. Im just very comfortable in my own skin. I like my body., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Sep 3, 2019 at 9:42am PDT. Magic Johnson | Biography, Documentary, & Facts | Britannica if( navigator.sendBeacon ) { Despite the stunning realization that Magic Johnson would no longer be taking the court, the league did give him one of the more memorable sendoffs in recent sports history. "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.". In 2017, rumors began to circulate about a possible romantic relationship between EJ and Christopher Milan, a former Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star. 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 ); What's the real deal with EJ Johnson? In 2013, EJ was outed by TMZ. "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. He also takes great pride in his skills and talents as a make-up artist. His approach acted as a "public-health catalyst," wrote Alexander Cardazzi, Joshua C. Martin, and Zachary Rodriguez in their 2021 paper "Information Avoidance and Celebrity Exposure: The Effect of "Magic" Johnson on AIDS Diagnoses and Mortality in the U.S. (opens in new tab)" for West Virginia University, as they attempted to quantify the impact his announcement in 1991 had on heterosexual men getting tested for HIV. His role as an influencer is a staple in his work that is grounded in gender-flouting. "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.". Magic Johnson holding the Walter A. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including She said, That was a very hard thing for me. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); I get these every night, every game, he said. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. Who is Magic Johnson's Youngest Son EJ Johnson? - Parade: Entertainment EJ is 62, just seven inches shorter than his father Magic. How and When Did Magic Johnson Contract HIV? Related: Winning Time: Why Magic Johnson Is At The Doctor's In 1991 & What Happened. How Magic Johnson Messed Up When His Son Came Out In 2013, a TMZ photographer captured a photo of EJ Johnson walking on the Sunset Strip while holding hands with his boyfriend at the time. EJ recalled, "[Magic] just was like, we're gonna get through this, I just need time and we both just started crying a little bit. I don't feel that I'm in the wrong body. "I say dance around in your closet when no one is looking until the time is right," he toldBET, advising readers to "just make sure you're safe." Magic Johnson: the NBA superstar who smashed HIV stigma - the Guardian Michael Jordan Once Rejected an Epic $1 Million 1-on-1 Matchup Against Magic Johnson. The 29-year-old reality TV personality came out to the basketball great, 62, in 2010, and at first, the latter wasn't too. On that autumn day, Johnson announced he had HIV. 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 . 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. In honor of Father's Day last year, he posted a photo of Magic, Cookie, Gigi, and Andre, along with a heartfelt tribute. 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. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magics life. Find out why exercise can be important to mental health too. Michael Johnson, son of TNT sportscaster Ernie "E.J." Johnson, has died, his father said on social media Friday night. It was a total bombshell and one that inadvertently triggered an onslaught of rumors about EJ Johnson. READ ALSO: Emily Faye Miller's bio: life before and after Too Hot To Handle. To see what Magic Johnson's three children are up to and to learn more about the tight-knit Johnson family, read on. First of all, the celebrity thingwho are you here for? For more entertainment and celebrity news sent to you directly, sign up for our daily newsletter. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. Nevertheless, the media too often shows a lack of boundaries. EJ is an openly gay graduate of New York University who has appeared on his own reality shows. But we also know well see him againand that sustains us, Johnson, a father of six, wrote. ", Earlier this month on EJ's 29th birthday, his dad posted on Instagram: "To my beautiful and fabulous son EJ, Happy Birthday!! Spencer Lieb is a HIV/AIDS research coordinator with The AIDS Institute. "I've always definitely mixed men's and women's fashion in my life, but I never thought that it would raise so many questions about my own gender. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnsons kids total to two. Who is Magic Johnson's son EJ Johnson? | The US Sun Also joining them were Cookie's mom, sister, and their nephew. The Hall of Fame point guard also insisted he would become a spokesman for HIV. 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. "Very European," says EJ Johnson, the son of Magic Johnson, as he recalls when he came out as gay to his father. A New York Times review of the show referred to EJ as the most likeable character on the show. Did you encounter any technical issues? I dont feel the need to transition. } else { 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. scientific studies and medical journals. spinoff, EJNYC, which followed his life as he moved to New York City. How Magic Johnson Fought the AIDS Epidemic | The New Yorker "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". When did Magic Johnson have his son? 01 Mar 2023 15:17:10 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. Magic Johnson's Change Of Heart: From Homophobia To Pride But Magic knew that for E.J., coming out to his parents, which happened years ago,. In 2014, he joined the Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, a reality series following lives of some of the richest kids. "I've always loved being in front of people, being on stage and performing. HIV is now considered a chronic health condition that can be managed with the right drugs and a healthy lifestyle. Magic Johnson explains his abrupt resignation from Lakers Medication can disrupt these processes, and to that end, Johnson is currently taking reverse transcriptase inhibitor and protease inhibitor drugs, which are contained in the pharmaceuticals Trizivir and Kaletra, respectively, according to the Daily Beast. In. } What You Don't Know About Magic Johnson's Son EJ - NickiSwift.com 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. Related:Meet Quincy Isaiah, the Michigan Man Playing Magic Johnson in HBO Maxs Winning Time. You have to be prepared for people to say certain things about you, and it just wasn't for me. ", A few years later, EJ finally put the public speculation to rest. Cookie said, Look in the mirror. I said, Youre right. Because Im proud of who I am. "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). The 62-year-old was first drafted on the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 and continued to play for them for 13 seasons.. (Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) "It. Today, two of the six original Magic Johnson-branded theaters remain open, in Harlem in New York City and suburban Washington, D.C., though he doesn't own either of them. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZ essentially outed him, per TheThings. These and other HIV-fighting drugs are "hideously expensive," said Lieb. These "long-term nonprogressors" or "elite controllers," estimated at as few as one in 500, have lived for decades with HIV, despite not being on antiretroviral therapy. 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. As well as drugs to help manage HIV we now have drugs such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, that can prevent transmission in the first place. TMZ Sportspublished the last known paparazzi photo of the pair in 2017 and called Alcaraz Elisa's "quasi-boyfriend." Discovery Company. After I got all the love and support from my family then I knew I could go out and conquer the world, I guess.". 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.". The average period between infection with the human immunodeficiency virus and diagnosis of [] AIDS is now ten years, according to experts.. After Johnson's departure, the Lakers announced they would not fill the position that Johnson left. TNT broadcaster Ernie Johnson's son dead at 33 - New York Post Admit it, these tracks are so good, you actually thought they were originals. Why Magic Johnson's Wife Threatened To Leave Him Despite Sticking By "It was a little tough", said Cookie during the interview. Would love your thoughts, please comment. EJ Johnson's fans aren't the only ones who speculated about his gender identity, however. Magic Johnson opens up about his health, career 30 years after HIV His full name is Earvin Johnson III, but he goes by EJ professionally. RELATED: See Shaquille O'Neal's Daughter Amirah, Who's an NCAA Basketball Star. Today he is becoming a fashionista who is looking to give a stronger voice to the transgender community through his own experience. 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.". Hopefully, Magic Johnson and his son will continue to put the work in and have a positive relationship. 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. 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). She studied at FIT and launched her own label, Elisa Johnson Co. She prefers to stay out of the spotlight. All Rights Reserved. "I feel like I wasn't cut out for it," she told SSENSE Magazine in April 2017. There's [sic] so many factors. ', It all goes down Tomorrow night ! In the photos, EJ Johnson looks confident in an outfit that captures his fashion-forward personality. Mar 3, 2013 - 5:20 am. And that trumped everything," Cookie Johnson said. EJ Johnson has shown the world that he is an unstoppable force. They Call Me Magic - Apple TV+ Press 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. Because there are so many people who try to discriminate against them, so they need you to support them. Sorry tabloids: EJ is just busy being himself. 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.' ", EJ concluded, "I don't feel the need to transition. 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. Am I gonna 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 Image: Getty Images. New York, How Magic Johnson's Children Are Holding Up His Legendary - AfroTech "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. EJ Johnson - Wikipedia According to Too Fab, the discussion on Smiths talk show revealed that Magics initial reaction didnt have quite the same tone and message. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); Please respect my privacy and my process., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on May 4, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT. Magic's oldest son, Andre, was born in 1981, two years after his father first joined the NBA. show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, which aired from 2014 to 2016. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magic's life. EJ Johnson once told BETthat racism hasn't been a significant problem in his life.

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