Powered by. 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. "Yeah, racism, not so much. During the life cycle of the virus, HIV integrates into the host DNA. "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. EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magic's life. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves.". He is a television personality, socialite and actor. ", A few years later, EJ finally put the public speculation to rest. "And he just could not stand it. Separately, Magic posted a photo of Cookie, in honor of the occasion. 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. 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? This is something that transcends judgment and ignorance and should be seen as a vehicle to educate and inform people about gender fluidity. Magic Johnson, Cookie Johnson and EJ Johnson attend "To Kill A Mockingbird" Broadway Opening Night at Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018 in New York City. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. From massive pop hits to classic R&B ballads, you can count on these numerical tracks. Photo: Getty Images They were one of the greatest NBA teams to ever take the hardwood. Magic actually launched a comeback attempt prior to the 1992-93 season, but fears resurfaced when he took the floor. New York, I Image: Getty Images. In June, Andre posted a photo of his familystep mom Cookie includedat Gigi's sixth-grade graduation. 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 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. section: | slug: magic-johnson-opens-up-on-living-with-hiv-30-years-after-his-diagnosis | sport: basketball | route: article_single.us | 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. He also shared some insight into his diet and exercise routine. TMZ Sportspublished the last known paparazzi photo of the pair in 2017 and called Alcaraz Elisa's "quasi-boyfriend." I mean, I looked good, but that was just me doing me." He was supported by his family in his decision to come out publicly. It was an arguably tone-deaf remark for the otherwise media-savvy fashionista, particularly since he was so outspoken about the Donald Sterling controversy that inadvertently ensnared his father. I like my body.. ", "It's a totally new mindset," EJ told Page Sixthat September. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for GLAAD). Andre doesn't post much about his professional life online, but according to what appears to be his LinkedIn page, he was the vice president of his dad's investment company, Magic Johnson Enterprises, from 2012 to 2014. He is responsible for directing the statewide Florida HIV/AIDS Research Consortium, whose HIV researchers have been responsible for more than 400 scientific studies. In 2013, EJ was outed by TMZ. It's all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do.. But perhaps the most resonating phrase from Johnson that day is this: Im going to go on, Im going to beat it, and and Im going to have fun.. Taking a look at his Instagram we can see how clothes are one of his biggest passions. You can also learn about some of the cancers we're still battling and why they're so challenging. Like her mom and brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. He retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 after revealing that he had tested positive for. Currently, EJ is reportedly single. Would love your thoughts, please comment. EJ's mom said that her husband was worried about his son living . However, it was not a shock to his parents. "It's almost like they're attacking me for being me and so to that I can only say, 'Well, I can only be myself, so I don't know really what you want me to do,'" he said. ': 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. 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. EJ ultimately decided to come out before beginning college at New York University (NYU). He revealed on the season finale of "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" that he'd lost about 180 pounds since the procedure. 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. navigator.sendBeacon('https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', payload); At 6-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Johnson was a mountain of a man, the biggest, most powerful point guard anyone had ever seen. But some small number remain, and over time, those HIV cells replicate, attacking the immune system in seven stages, according to the National Institute of Health (opens in new tab)'s HIV info page. 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. EJs real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. "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. EJ is 62, just seven inches shorter than his father Magic. He previously served as the Executive Vice President of his dads company, Magic Johnson Enterprises. 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. 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. Updated Next, meet the MVP in Michael Jordans life, his wife Yvette Prieto. ", Earlier this month on EJ's 29th birthday, his dad posted on Instagram: "To my beautiful and fabulous son EJ, Happy Birthday!! The star had some questions of his own especially surrounding Caitlyn Jenner's abovementioned Vanity Fair cover. "I was just like, 'Well, do I want to transition? "It wasn't how he got it that was important to me. She's following in her mother's footsteps in more ways than one. After protests from his fellow players, he retired again for four years, but returned in 1996, at age 36, to play 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the third and final time. 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. Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. 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. The key weapon in the beginning was a regimen of three or four antiretroviral drugs, collectively known as antiretroviral therapy, or ART. "I love you and enjoy your day to rest.". 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. "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. 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. There was one drug then, now we have 30-something drugs.". I feel like this is the body I'm supposed to be in. Apple today unveiled the teaser trailer for "They Call Me Magic," premiering April 22 on Apple TV+. 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). There's [sic] so many factors. She studied at FIT and launched her own label, Elisa Johnson Co. She prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Before this, he worked as a senior epidemiologist with the Bureau of HIV/AIDS at the Florida Department of Health. Magic Johnson death news is trending on the Internet. Johnson has been starting his mornings off right ever since he lost more than 100 lbs.! EJ is an openly gay graduate of New York University who has appeared on his own reality shows. It happened," he said (via theDaily Mail). However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ. It was, 'You're possibly going to die.' Spencer Lieb is a HIV/AIDS research coordinator with The AIDS Institute. It was a total bombshell and one that inadvertently triggered an onslaught of rumors about EJ Johnson. AboutPressCopyrightContact. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The doctor told him to immediately fly back to Los Angeles, but wouldn't tell him why. This past May, it was announced that EJ will be co-starring on the new Disney+ show The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Presenting your official soundtrack to falling (or staying) in love. News in 2018 that he had no plans to transition. One thing, of course, was very clear: there had been infidelity on Johnsons part. 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. He is hardly known by his birth name, Earvin Johnson III. Though his first reaction may not have been perfect, he definitely seems to be in a better place now. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, at His role as an influencer is a staple in his work that is grounded in gender-flouting. Speculation about the couples possible relationship began to circulate after they were spotted having lunch together. EJ added, "I'm fortunate that I'm in a world where I can do what I want to do and walk down the street in whatever I want to wear and break those walls down. 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). Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. Sorry tabloids: EJ is just busy being himself. According to E! (Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) "It. I love everything about it." Because he was so proud. The death fake caused the Twittersphere to go crazy, as usual. First of all, the celebrity thingwho are you here for? Maybe you've heard about him on the internet or in a tabloid headline. EJ launched a now-defunctfashion blog in 2014. He appeared on CNNs This Is Life in 2018 and opened up about his identity. When the NBA star first learned that EJ was gay, Magic expressed that this wasnt what he wanted for his son. For Magic Johnson, supporting his gay son Earvin Johnson III, known as "E.J.," wasn't even a question. Story highlights. 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. show Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, which aired from 2014 to 2016. EJs mom said that her husband was worried about his son living his life in a world that would not understand him. "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). (Image credit: YakubovAlim via Getty Images). 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.". We send our heartfelt condolences to Ernie, Cheryl and their family during this difficult time.. The U.S. would go on to capture the gold medal in overwhelming fashion, and Magics beaming smile might otherwise have been a symbol of his triumph. 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. I never really thought it was under investigation. EJ (Earvin Johnson III) can relate to this all too well. Immediately after learning of the talented 63-year-old basketball player's passing, hundreds of fans began posting condolence notes on the Facebook page. She was 26 years old when she was found dead above the Major Deegan Expressway. 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. When you're close with your siblings, you don't ever really consider that one day you might be competing for boyfriends. I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. Here is what you need to know about EJ Johnson: A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Jun 5, 2018 at 2:48pm PDT, EJs mother was two months pregnant with her son when Magic Johnson revealed to the world that he had tested positive for HIV in November 1991. "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. #EJNYC premieres tomorrow night at 11 only on E! "It proved to be the right decision," Magic Johnson said. 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. An epidemiologist explains how Magic Johnson has survived HIV. Please respect my privacy and my process., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on May 4, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT. He is known for wearing both men's and womens clothing and putting his own spin on it. 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. BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 28: (L-R) EJ Johnson and Lea Michele speak onstage during the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 28, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. The son of basketball star Magic Johnson set his sights on NYC staple 1OAK for his own personal fashion show, where he was seen strutting some serious leg in a thigh-high fringe skirt, black tank . EJ Johnson was born to his famous parents on June 4, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California. Yet it was his charisma, especially at his precocious age, that floored. 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. 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! 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). Awood "Mr. Magic" Johnson, a rapper best known for his work in the 90's on the No Limit Records label, has died. He was given the nickname by a sports writer who had just seen the 15-year-old prepster notch 36 points, 16 rebounds. Magic does have a relationship with his son EJ. Go do my, Magic Johnson Discusses His Son's Coming Out. "I've always loved being in front of people, being on stage and performing. This was the first time he was out in public as gay. Magic Johnson's net worth is currently estimated to be about $600 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Hopefully, Magic Johnson and his son will continue to put the work in and have a positive relationship. Magic Johnson's remarkable life was thrown into question after he was diagnosed with HIV. And now, she is the owner of her own self-titled sunglasses company, Elisa Johnson. ", Elisa ultimately decided not to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); "I'm completely dedicated to living a new, healthy lifestyle." From the highlights from Magics career, but the evolution of Johnson as a person including his role as a husband and father. 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 was diagnosed with HIV 45 days after Cookie and Magic married, and their lives were permanently transformed. Im just very comfortable in my own skin. "I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. In 2017, EJ Johnson got candid with The New York Times about his sports star father's very public journey with HIV, which began when EJ's mother was two months pregnant with him. On this Nov. 7, legendary Lakers point guard Earvin Magic Johnson stunned the entire world when he announced that he had contracted the HIV virus, and would be retiring from NBA immediately. 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. 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.