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. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for GLAAD)
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.
EJ Johnson was born on June 4, 1992. He is Cookie Johnson’s oldest child but Magic Johnson’s middle child. His brother, Andre Johnson has a different mother. In 1995, the Johnson family adopted Elisa Johnson when she was a baby. EJ is an openly gay graduate of New York University who has appeared on his own reality shows.
Here is what you need to know about EJ Johnson:
1. EJ Learned That His Father Was HIV Postive After Reading About it in a Book
EJ’s 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. EJ told the New York Times in 2017 that he learned about his father’s diagnosis while doing a book report and finding a book about his father in the library while in elementary school. EJ told the Times, “The school called my mom and was like, ‘We don’t know if you want him to do the book report, because it talks about the H.I.V.,’ I think it was at that point that they told me that he had been sick and he’s a lot better.”
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2016, EJ’s mother admitted that she struggled to come to terms with her son coming out. She said, “That was a very hard thing for me. That was a very, very hard thing for me. I tried everything, but finally I just said to myself, ‘This child is innocent. He was like this when he was a baby, it can’t be wrong. It can’t be wrong.'”
2. EJ Johnson Is An NYU Graduate
Johnson attended New York University where he studied hospitality with a focus on event planning and design, according to various different profiles. 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.
In 2014, he joined the “Rich Kids of Beverly Hills,” a reality series following lives of some of the richest kids. At the time, EJ was still a student at New York University. During his time on the show, EJ could be seen yachting, shopping at Chanel’s flagship store in Manhattan and driving in the $120,000 Mercedes his parents bought him for this 21st birthday. A New York Times review of the show referred to EJ as the “most likeable” character on the show.
3. EJ Johnson Has An Acting Background & Lost A Lot of Weight
In 2015, EJ lost over 100 pounds and had surgery to remove excess weight.
“It’s a totally new mindset — I’m completely dedicated to living a new, healthy lifestyle. It’s given me a whole new view on life. I really think it’s 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.
EJ told Jada Pinkett Smith in an April 2019 episode of “Red Table Talk” that dating was hard because of his famous father. EJ said, “It’s always been a struggle. There’s so many factors. 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. She was 26 years old when she was found dead above the Major Deegan Expressway. After receiving criticism for not publicly mourning his friend on social media. EJ put out a statement reading, “I’m going to make this clear to everyone there will be no mourning post because I’m not going to reduce a 25yr friendship to 1 Instagram post. Please respect my privacy and my process.”
4. EJ Johnson Was Outed by TMZ in 2013
In 2013, Johnson came out as gay to his family at the age of 17 after a TMZ report published pictures of him holding hands with a male friend. He has the support of his family including his father, Magic Johnson.
“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 told Ellen DeGeneres on the Ellen Show.
More from Magic Johnson’s Interview and Chat with the Ellen Show below:
“It’s all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do,” Magic Johnson told Ellen. “When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. And we love him. E.J. is amazing,” he added. You’ve got to support your child. There’s so many people who try to discriminate against them. So if you don’t support them, who’s going to support them and love them?”
Despite being openly interested in gender-fluid fashion, EJ told E! News in 2018 that he had no plans to transition. EJ said, “I like myself the way that I am. I’m very happy with myself. 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 I don’t feel that I’m in the wrong body. I feel like this is the body I’m supposed to be in. … I don’t feel the need to transition. I’m almost 100 percent positive I won’t. I’m just very comfortable in my own skin. I like my body.”
5. EJ Johnson & Jennifer Lopez Know How To Party
A video surfaced on Twitter of Lopez and EJ Johnson getting their dance on to Teena Marie’s Square Biz while at his Magic Johnson’s 60th Birthday party in Saint Tropez.
Jennifer Lopez, Magic Johnson’s Son Rump Shake in San Tropez – t.co/ZAaXbYEnks
Former New York Yankees All Star Alex Rodriguez, CBS This Morning’s Gayle King, NBA on TNT’s Kenny ‘The Jet’ Smith, ESPN First Take’s Stephen A. Smith, NBA Hall of Famer and Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas and former New York Knicks coach, Mike Woodson were some of the notables in attendance at the party.
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EJ Johnson, Magic Johnson’s Son: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know