NBA icon, Magic Johnson, is a businessman, husband and father.

The 63-year-old former athlete and his wife, Cookie, welcomed their son, EJ, back in 1992.

Who is Magic Johnson’s son EJ Johnson?

EJ Johnson was born in Beverly Hills, California, on June 4, 1992. His full name is Earvin Johnson III, but he professionally goes by EJ.

The 30-year-old LGBTQ+ icon has appeared in multiple TV shows such as Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, EJNYC, Real Husbands of Hollywood, and most recently The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

The socialite and TV personality came out as gay in 2013 when TMZ posted a video of EJ with his then-boyfriend.

In response to the video, his father, Magic Johnson, told the outlet, "Cookie and I love EJ and support him in every way. We're very proud of him."

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What did Magic Johnson say about EJ's coming out?

Variety spoke with the father and son duo about EJ's coming out ahead of Magic's 2022 series, They Call Me Magic.

In the exclusive interview, the former NBA star told the outlet that he was surprised when his son came out.

"When you grow up in team sports, you’re thinking, ‘Is he gonna play sports?’" Magic said.

"And then when I saw that he liked dolls and to play dress-up … ‘What are you doing?’"

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EJ told the magazine that he was first out as gay to his friends before his parents.

"[My parents] were the last people that I really had to talk to about it. It wasn’t new for me, but they had to really take that in and digest it," EJ said.

"Especially my dad, because he was really the last person to talk to. I think it was just a lot for him to swallow in that conversation. A lot of just going back and forth. And he just was rattling off about things that weren’t particularly nice. But he’s not somebody who works great being cornered or surprised."

EJ told the outlet that Magic had come up with rules in their household like not allowing his son to wear scarves at home.

"But it’s really not about scarves; it’s really about him seeing you be you," EJ said.

The father and son repaired their relationship when EJ was attending New York University in New York City.

"I had only been gone for two months," EJ said. "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 March 2023, Magic told PEOPLE: "I love EJ's career."

"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."

He added: "I'm really proud of him because he's getting so involved and letting his voice help other people too."

"A lot of young people will call him and ask, 'How did you come out' or 'Can you help me? I haven't told my parents,' and man, he gives so much great advice," Magic explained to the outlet.

"He's saving a lot of people's lives and people don't even know, and I'm so proud of him."

When did Magic Johnson retire?

Magic Johnson abruptly retired from basketball back in 1991 when he publicly announced that he had contracted HIV.

At the time, Magic was playing in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Since his diagnosis, Magic and his wife have made efforts to de-stigmatize HIV and Aids.

EJ's mother, Cookie, recalls when someone thanked them for their advocacy.

"I remember a young man came up and said to me one day, ‘I really want to thank you and your husband for what you’re doing. I’m gay, but I didn’t want to tell my parents. When I went away to college, I got [HIV]. But with you guys talking about this, bringing it to everyone’s attention, it’s made me feel I’m gonna be okay, and I’m going to fight harder.’"

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