It was sad. 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. Later, the couple also adopted a daughter, Elisa, in 1995, bringing Magic Johnsons kids total to two. 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. 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. Yet through all the ups and downs, he remains the same bubbly person he has always been. 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. 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. Related: Try Dopamine Dressing With 20 New Looks. I feel like this is the body Im supposed to be in. But we also know well see him againand that sustains us, Johnson, a father of six, wrote. I never really thought it was under investigation. Jonathan is the Editor of All About History magazine, running the day to day operations of the brand. READ ALSO: Emily Faye Miller's bio: life before and after Too Hot To Handle. In 2016, he starred on his own short-lived E! Put on my outfit. 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. I love everything about it." It is a "myth," said Lieb, that Johnson, who is wealthy, is buying himself special treatments. He did have a fashion blog, but it no longer exists. Oh, snap. "It was hard because I loved her so much and I hated to hurt her," Magic Johnson said. ", 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. 1:59 Coming for b*tches 5:48 Unlikely friends 7:24 Magic Johnsons Son 9:48 The ho phase 11:06 Transitioning? "I always say that if you feel like you're not in the right body, then by all means get to where you want to be. Andre is married to Lisa Meyers Johnson, and has two kids, Gigi and Avery. "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. "I walk in the office and he started talking about the test," Johnson says. Andre Johnson is a businessman, podcaster, and proud father of two. ", 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." I also said I was going to beat the disease. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? Therapists say it can damage your connection. Maybe you've heard about him on the internet or in a tabloid headline. The son of an autoworker, Johnson earned his nickname "Magic" in high school for his creative and entertaining ballhandling. EJ is 62, just seven inches shorter than his father Magic. Lieb said that in the state of Florida alone, hundreds of patients have lived full lives since being diagnosed with HIV in the early 1980s, when the first confirmed AIDS cases were confirmed in the United States (opens in new tab). I'm just very comfortable in my own skin. Originally published on Live Science on 04 March 2022 and updated on 24 August 2022. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. "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). It cant be wrong. 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. 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! The actor's personal life has made headlines as well. A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:53pm PST. Please respect my privacy and my process., A post shared by EJ Johnson (@ejjohnson_) on May 4, 2016 at 12:39pm PDT. He has the support of his family including his father, Magic Johnson. Earvin went to Everett High School in Michigan for the duration of his high school experience, despite their basketball team . "Very European," says EJ Johnson, the son of Magic Johnson, as he recalls when he came out as gay to his father. 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. COMING OUT . When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). RELATED:See LeBron James' 16-Year-Old Son, Who's Already a Basketball Star. After I got all the love and support from my family then I knew I could go out and conquer the world, I guess.". When the NBA star first learned that EJ was gay, Magic expressed that this wasnt what he wanted for his son. The Rolling Stones frontman has a huge family. It is precisely these kinds of drugs that have helped Magic Johnson manage the disease and have made HIV a chronic health condition rather than a fatal disease. "I said that because I had tested HIV-positive, I was retiring from the NBA. He has previously worked as Editor of video game magazines games and X-ONE and tech magazines iCreate and Apps. EJ Johnson, the son of basketball legend Magic Johnson, spoke about what it was like coming out as gay to his father. The star revealed he was "almost 100 percent positive" that a transition was out of the cards. EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZessentially outed him, per TheThings. 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. PerBET, the show was "not completely ratchet with hair pulling and fighting," but let's be honest, it wasn't exactly "Masterpiece Theater," either. (Image credit: Focus On Sport / Contributor via Getty Images), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 amazing health stories you may have missed in 2021, How mental health affects physical health, Ancient Roman 'spike defenses' made famous by Julius Caesar found in Germany, Watch footage of 1,000 baleen whales in record-breaking feeding frenzy in Antarctica, New Hubble footage shows exact moment a NASA spacecraft slammed into an asteroid 7 million miles from Earth, Cosmic rays reveal 'hidden' 30-foot-long corridor in Egypt's Great Pyramid, Upside-down anglerfish and other alien oddities spotted in one of the world's deepest trenches, Lab-grown minibrains will be used as 'biological hardware' to create new biocomputers, scientists propose, Insect that flings pee with a butt catapult is 1st known example of 'superpropulsion' in nature, Unknown lineage of ice age Europeans discovered in genetic study, Otherworldly 'fairy lantern' plant, presumed extinct, emerges from forest floor in Japan, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device, "Magic Johnsons Career Ended by HIV-Positive Test" by Mark Heisler, "Facts About HIV: Life Expectancy and Long-Term Outlook", "New HIV Diagnoses and People with Diagnosed HIV in the US and Dependent Areas by Area of Residence, 2019", "Magic Johnson: the NBA superstar who smashed HIV stigma then built a huge fortune" by Oliver Laughland, "HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Costs in the United States, 2012-2018". EJ Johnson was born to his famous parents on June 4, 1992, in Beverly Hills, California. At the time of Magic Johnson's diagnosis, there was a strong stigma around HIV and AIDS. "I always wanted to come into the spotlight," EJ told the YouTube talk show "Gwissues" shortly after (via ESPN). 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.". I feel like this is the body I'm supposed to be in. 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. 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. An epidemiologist explains how Magic Johnson has survived HIV. He is known to have owned 105 Starbucks outlets and a 4.5% stake in . Get viral NBA graphics, memes, rumors and trending news delivered right to your inbox with the Clutch Newsletter. Michael Johnson, son of TNT sportscaster Ernie "E.J." Johnson, has died, his father said on social media Friday night. 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. The year was 2010, and scarves were in. EJ was a guest host on Fashion Police and has filledin on E! Here's what you didn't know about EJ Johnson. Magic has three kids, but he and Cookie have two children together. "I've always loved being in front of people, being on stage and performing. That was a very, very hard thing for me. He played on the 1992 NBA All-Star Team as well as the "Dream Team" at the Olympics. EJ often will reflect on his childhood and his innate inclination toward fashion and design. "This guy we adopted from Romania in 1991 and diagnosed with. "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 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. Are you dating me or are you trying to date my dad?" He revealed on the season finale of "Rich Kids of Beverly Hills" that he'd lost about 180 pounds since the procedure. Its given me a whole new view on life. "Feeling all the elation feels today," EJ wrote on Instagram, sharing the news that he'd voice Michael Collins. According to Too Fab, the discussion on Smiths talk show revealed that Magics initial reaction didnt have quite the same tone and message. (Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) "It. 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.' Johnson began to speak out and he has never retreated. Magic Johnson has been living with HIV for nearly 0 years and thanks to advances in medical science the disease is now more manageable than it was when he first revealed his diagnosis. "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." I dont feel the need to transition. 12:30 Lyric McHenry #EJJohnson #JustTheSip #JustinSylvester #transitioning #LyricMcHenry #MagicJohnson #comingforpeople #hoephase, he joined the Rich Kids of Beverly Hills,. 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.". 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. Its still the toughest thing Ive ever had to do in my life: @MagicJohnson says that he hated having to tell his wife about his HIV diagnosis. Things got rocky after the socialite was outed in 2013 when TMZposted a video of him holding hands with his then-boyfriend. This past May, it was announced that EJ will be co-starring on the new Disney+ show The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. Despite new advances in medical science HIV remains incurable thanks to "the presence of a latent viral reservoir. "I'll Deal With It: HIV Has Forced Me To Retire, But I'll Still Enjoy Life As I Speak Out About Safe Sex," by Magic Johnson, "Magic Johnson opens up about his health, career 30 years after HIV diagnosis: 'You just sit there and say, what does this mean? 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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. However, a 2017 article in Urbo states that Johnson graduated from the prestigious school with a degree in event management and design with an interest in fashion, journalism, and media. Nonetheless, Jenner's transition raised questions among some of Johnson's fans. He previously served as the Executive Vice President of his dads company, Magic Johnson Enterprises. Since Dec. 2018, he's been the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games. Cookie Johnson, Magics wife, and EJ talked about the experience during an episode of Facebook's Red Table Talk show. appreciated. According to Magic's comments at that press conference, Cookie threatened to leave him if he tried to return for more than one season. 01 Mar 2023 15:17:10 EJ Johnson publicly came out as gay in 2013 but only after TMZ essentially outed him, per TheThings. As it turns out, he was planning on publicly revealing his sexuality anyway. "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. 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. The rising reality star is the son of NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and his wife, Earlitha "Cookie" Johnson. "As we talk today, right now, I'm thinking, 'Wow' its been 30 years and I'm still here, healthy. Today he is becoming a fashionista who is looking to give a stronger voice to the transgender community through his own experience. He appeared on CNNs This Is Life in 2018 and opened up about his identity. ". ", Elisa ultimately decided not to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Early Childhood and Education. When the TMZ story broke, EJ's parents rallied around their son. That doesn't mean it was always easy, however. ", Regardless, EJ admits his loved ones' support helped ground him. 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 . The key with Johnson and others has been preventing their incurable disease from progressing into AIDS. 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. He also questioned if EJ was sure he knew what he was saying. Updated Theres so many factors. 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). "I am very, very, very blessed to have the family that I do," he said on "Gwissues."