Who is Magic Johnson's Youngest Son? Meet EJ Johnson, a Proud Star In His Own Right

Author:
Shameika Rhymes
Jun 3, 2022

We’re getting a closer look into the life and career of NBA legend Magic Johnson with They Call Me Magic streaming on Apple TV+. From the highlights from Magic’s career, but the evolution of Johnson as a person including his role as a husband and father. Magic Johnson has three children. In the series, his relationship with his youngest son, EJ, is explored.

Johnson and his wife Cookie Johnson tied the knot in 1991, one year before the Los Angeles Lakers player retired. His son EJ was born shortly, making headlines before he was even born. His star hasn’t dimmed as he has become a celebrity in his own right over the past few years, and sharing his own story about coming out to his parents as a gay Black man. His father took a while to come around to the news.

“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. It’s all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do,” Magic once said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Magic often posts about his wife and kids on social media, but here’s a closer look at his relationship with EJ, and how he has been the catalyst that changed Magic for the better.

What is EJ Johnson's real name?

EJ’s real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ.

When did Magic Johnson have his son?

EJ was born June 4, 1992, during a turbulent time in Magic’s life. In 1991, Cookie was pregnant with EJ when Magic announced to the world that he was HIV positive. "The key moment was when Cookie took the test and the results came back that her and the baby was fine [sic]," the retired NBA star told Gayle King. Both she and EJ tested negative for HIV.

What is EJ Johnson's real name?

EJ’s real name is Earvin Johnson III, named after his father. However, much like Earvin Johnson Jr. goes by Magic, his son is called EJ.

Does Magic Johnson have a relationship with his son?

Magic does have a relationship with his son EJ. Things got rocky after the socialite was outed in 2013 when TMZposted a video of him holding hands with his then-boyfriend. In response to the headlines, Magic said, “Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. We’re 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.

In 2018, EJ Johnson and his mom Cookie Johnson made an appearance on Willow and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk, where Cookie revealed that when EJ came out to his parents, it “was a little tough” because Magic Johnson wasn’t supportive at first.

“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 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,” Magic told Varietyin April 2022.

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. 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.' I could really feel the love. We're gonna be fine."

What is EJ Johnson's gender?

EJ identifies as gender-fluid and is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. He appeared on CNN’s This Is Life in 2018 and opened up about his identity. “I’ve never done anything on television that is this honest and real,” he shared in an Instagram post promoting the segment. “This is something that transcends judgment and ignorance and should be seen as a vehicle to educate and inform people about gender fluidity. I'm so blessed to help continue the conversation about our community and what it means to truly live your truth.” EJ doesn’t plan to transition either. “I feel like this is the body that I’m supposed to be in,” he said in a 2019 interview. “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.”

How tall is EJ Johnson?

EJ is 6’2, just seven inches shorter than his father Magic.

What does EJ Johnson do for a living?

Johnson attended New York University, studying hospitality with a focus on event planning and design. He is a television personality, socialite and actor. He became a household name when he appeared on Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, and got his spinoff show called EJNYC. EJ was a guest host on Fashion Police and has filled in on E! News and hosting other shows. He also appeared on Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart.

EJ launched a now-defunct fashion blog in 2014. He is now flexing his acting chops in With Love and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder revival. "Feeling all the elation feels today," EJ wrote on Instagram, sharing the news that he'd voice Michael Collins. "This character is witty fabulous glamorous and a force to be reckoned as well as unapologetically themselves."

Magic even posted on social media how proud he was of EJ’s new role.

How rich is EJ Johnson?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, EJ Johnson has an estimated $5 million net worth.

Does Magic Johnson have other kids?

Magic has three kids, but he and Cookie have two children together. In addition to EJ, the Johnsons adopted Elisa Johnson when she was three days old in 1995. During a period when Magic and Cookie had broken up, he dated a woman named Melissa Mitchell, with whom he had a son, Andre, on Feb. 20, 1981.

Andre is married to Lisa Meyers Johnson, and has two kids, Gigi and Avery. He’s a businessman and podcaster.

He previously served as the Executive Vice President of his dad’s company, Magic Johnson Enterprises. He was the vice president of business development at a computer gaming company called Mythical Games and is currently the Executive Vice President of Business Development at SimWin Sports. He also hosts his own podcast, Please Elaborate, where he talks about current events, entertainment, sports and gaming with his friend Mike Dupree.

What does Magic Johnson's daughter do?

Like her mom and brother EJ, Elisa is interested in fashion, and launched her own sunglass line in 2021. She studied at FIT and launched her own label, Elisa Johnson Co. She prefers to stay out of the spotlight. “I think you have to have a certain type of confidence level. You have to be prepared for people to say certain things about you, and it just wasn’t for me,” she said about starring with her brother on EJNYC.

Does EJ Johnson have a fashion line?

As fashionable and fashion-forward as he is, Johnson does not have a fashion line. He is known for wearing both men's and women’s clothing and putting his own spin on it. His style is androgynous, from ankle boots, sheer tops, diamond chokers, and furs to feminine with dresses with thigh-high slits. His clothing showed more skin after he dropped more than 100 pounds after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2014. He did have a fashion blog, but it no longer exists.

Who is the big-time rapper EJ Johnson dating?

In 2017, rumors began to circulate about a possible romantic relationship between EJ and Christopher Milan, a former Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star. Speculation about the couple’s possible relationship began to circulate after they were spotted having lunch together. However, neither of them confirmed or denied the relationship. Milan is currently in a relationship with trans reality star and beauty influencer Lauryn England.

EJ said it’s hard to date, lamenting, "It's always been a struggle. There's [sic] 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?" Currently, EJ is reportedly single.

Next, meet the MVP in Michael Jordan’s life, his wife Yvette Prieto.