All About Magic Johnson’s Son (and Reality TV Star!) EJ Johnson

Mar. 15, 2025

JC Olivera/WireImage/Getty Images

Magic Johnsonoften shares that his son, EJ Johnson, changed who he is.

The basketball legend and his wife, Cookie Johnson, welcomed EJ in 1992, and haven’t been shy about expressing how proud they are of their son. EJ, now in his 30s, came out as gay in 2013 and has become a champion of theLGBTQ+community throughout his career in television and fashion.

Over the years, the father and son have opened up about EJ’s coming out journey and Magic’s path toward embracing and uplifting his second child.

“He made me change,” the NBA All-Star toldShannon Sharpeon a 2022 episode ofClub Shay Shay. “It wasn’t he had to adjust, I had to adjust … I said, ‘Let me tell you something, you’re my son I love you … I’m supporting that, I’m supporting you.”

In more ways than one, Magic and EJ are cut from the same cloth and have spent the majority of their careers uplifting marginalized voices.

“I think that EJ is really taking charge of his career and making his own decisions, and he knows how and what he wants to get into,” Magic told PEOPLE in 2023. “I’mreally proud of himbecause he’s getting so involved and letting his voice help other people too.”

From his career to what he’s learned from his father, here’s everything to know about Magic Johnson’s son, EJ Johnson.

He was born in 1992

Magic Johnson, wearing a Phantom of the Opera mask, holds his son EJ Johnson dressed as Barney, while his wife Cookie is in an Egyptian costume at the Halloween on the Green AIDS fundraiser that he hosted at Tavern on the Green.Robin Platzer/Getty Images

Robin Platzer/Getty Images

Magic and Cookie welcomed their son, Earvin “EJ” Johnson III, on June 4, 1992, in Beverly Hills, Calif. He was named after his father and grandfather.

During the early stages of Cookie’s pregnancy with EJ in 1991, Magicreceived an HIV diagnosis, sparking fear in the family over a possible transmission.

When Cookie and EJ both tested negative for the virus soon after, Magic decided to speak out on his HIV diagnosis.

Despite the possible pushback, he held apress conference in November 1991where he became a catalyst in shifting attitudes toward HIV. Although EJ was born at the height of Magic’s public conversations about HIV, he wasn’t made aware of his father’s diagnosis until elementary school.

In a 2017 profile withThe New York Times, EJ recounted a moment in school when he was assigned a book report and found a book about his dad in the library.

“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 HIV,’ ” he said. “I think it was at that point that they told me that he had been sick and he’s a lot better.”

He has two siblings

EJ Johnson, Elisa Johnson, Cookie Johnson, Magic Johnson, Lisa Johnson and Andre Johnson attend The Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS at The Beverly Hills Hotel on September 21, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

While Andre prefers to stay out of the spotlight, EJ and Elisa have a particularly close public relationship.

In honor of Elisa’s 25th birthday in 2019, EJ posted a heartfelt tribute to his sisteron Instagram.

“Happy 25th birthday Mz thing @elisajohnson !!! I’m so excited for you as you continue your journey of queen-hood and the accession of your personal power as well as nurturing all your incredible gifts talents and intuition,” he captioned a photo of them.

EJ continued, “May this year be one of the best ones yet and may your dreams continue to manifest into reality. I love you."

EJ came out as gay in 2013

Magic Johnson, Cookie Johnson and EJ Johnson attend the opening night of “To Kill A Mockingbird” at the Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018 in New York City.Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Before leaving for NYU in 2010, EJ decided to come out to his parents, and although Cookie was immediately supportive, Magic initially struggled with accepting his son’s sexuality.

In a 2018 episode ofRed Table Talk, EJ and Cookie told hostJada Pinkett Smiththat Magic said “hurtful” words to his son before coming around. “My husband is the kind of person … he reacts quickly. Everything that came to the top of his head, he just let it out,” Cookie explained.

After Cookie told Magic that his reaction “wasn’t right,” EJ shared that his father went up to him the next day and said, “We’re going to get through this, and I just need time,” and the two cried together.

A few months after his coming out, Magic visited his son at NYU, where they began to repair their relationship.

“I had only been gone for two months,” EJ recalled in a 2022 interview withVariety. “He picked me up at my dorm and I was like, ‘Oh, whatever, hey.’ And he hugged me so hard. He was, like, squeezing all the air out of me. That’s when I knew, there’s nothing but love here.”

In 2013, EJ publicly came out as gay with his family’s support afterphotos were publishedof him holding a man’s hand while exiting a club. Afterward, he toldGwissues, “I’m reveling in it, and I’m making it work to my advantage.”

He further explained how coming out to his family and friends a few years earlier made the announcement to the public slightly easier, albeit still intense.

Since then, Magic has been vocal about his pride for his child.

“As I grew older, as my wife talked to me, I couldn’t [judge EJ]. I had to accept who he was and who he wanted to be,” he said toVariety. “He actually helped me get there. Because he was so proud. Cookie said, ‘Look in the mirror.’ I said, ‘You’re right.’ Because I’m proud of who I am. And he got it from me.”

EJ Johnson attends the Marvel Studios’ “Secret Invasion” launch event at El Capitan Theatre on June 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter/Getty Images

JC Olivera/GA/The Hollywood Reporter/Getty Images

Two years later, EJ starred in his own spinoff reality show,EJNYC, which followed his life as he moved back to New York City.EJNYCwas one of the first reality shows to center around a young LGBTQ+ person of color.

“There wasn’t any show that profiled a young person of color with a different sexual orientation living their life,” EJ toldThe New York Times. “I’m not just some other rich girl who’s trying to get a show.”

EJ was also a regular news personality forE! Newsin 2014, joining the team as a fashion commentator and acting as a recurring guest on shows likeFashion Police.

In May 2021, he was announced as part of areboot forThe Proud FamilytitledThe Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, as the voice behind the character Michael Collins.

He loves fashion and beauty

EJ Johnson attends the Tom Ford Women’s Fall/Winter 2018 fashion show at Park Avenue Armory in New York City on February 8, 2018.Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

EJ has a penchant for fashion and beauty,attending fashion week, speaking at beauty panels and posting his glamorous outfits on Instagram.

His love for fashion started when he was young, with EJ recalling toThe New York Timesthat he enjoyed looking at his mother’s clothes and accessories.

“I remember being like, 4 and 5, and playing in my mom’s closet,” he said. “But also asking questions like ‘Who’s this?’ and ‘What’s that?,’ and my mom explaining to me, ‘This is a Chanel and this is a Versace.’ ”

His sister Elisa chimed in, adding, “We used to have these drawing sessions, and EJ’s stick figures always had, like, a Louis Vuitton bag.”

EJ loves to express himself through fashion and beauty and has been vocal about how he hopes his own journey toward self-expression inspires others to do the same.

In a 2019GQfeatureexploring how masculinity is changing, EJ weighed in on the topic, sharing, “If you see someone doing something you’ve never seen before, that shouldn’t be weird. It may not be for you, but don’t demonize it. Don’t diminish that shine.”

“When I started experimenting, in 2010, [male beauty] wasn’t talked about. It’s cool to see it become less stigmatized,” he continued. “I’ve always had an affinity for expressing myself in feminine ways. When I was growing up, it was something I was told to hide. Now I’m a much happier person, and more successful, when I’m expressing myself with my feminine energy.”

He has a close relationship with his dad

Magic Johnson with his son EJ Johnson attend the 2014 Carousel of Hope Ball at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images

According to EJ, he and Magic are the “most alike out of anyone in the family.”

“It was very powerful for both of us and our relationship continues to just get deeper and deeper every year,” he said. “We are the most alike out of anyone in the family, and I think during that period, we both got to see, honestly, how alike we are.”

EJ explained that there’s a difference between his father’s “Earvin” side and his “Magic” side. He described Earvin as “a homebody, small-town oriented, grounded and very chill,” while Magic “loves to dress up and is always the life of the party.”

“So I always would make a joke and say I’m definitely a product of Magic — I’m fully Magic’s child. I don’t really identify with Earvin at all,” he said. “Magic and I get along great and I also have the ability to bring that out of him … I take a lot of pride in the fact that I can do that.”

Magic and Cookie post sweet tributes for EJ’s birthday

EJ with his dad Magic Johnson and mom Cookie Johnson.Earvin “Magic” Johnson/Instagram

Earvin “Magic” Johnson/Instagram

Magic and Cookie show a lot of love for their kids on social media and often post heartfelt pictures of EJ.

For his 31st birthday in 2023, Magicuploaded a pictureof the two posing on the red carpet with the caption, “Happy Birthday to my son, EJ!! I love your pure heart and creativity!Keep living your truth, it’s what I love about you most!”

“Happy Birthday my EJ! Wishing you the best birthday ever,” she wrote. “Continue to be your most fabulous self!! I love and admire you so much. Can’t wait to celebrate with you today.”

He supports his family on red carpets

Elisa Johnson, EJ Johnson, Cookie Johnson, Magic Johnson, Lisa Meyers Johnson and Andre Johnson attend the premiere of Apple’s documentary series “They Call Me Magic” at the Regency Village Theatre.Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images

Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images

The Johnsons are no strangers to Hollywood events and often show up for one another to celebrate and support their respective projects.

Ahead of the release ofThey Call Me Magic, EJ walked the red carpet with his father.

“So proud and excited for the world to witness even more of your glory @magicjohnson,” EJwrote on Instagramfollowing the premiere. “You constantly astound and astonish me with your intelligence wit and greatness you are worthy of this and all the universe has in store for you.”

He posted several photos from the night, including one with his dad as they posed on the carpet.

source: people.com