EJ Johnson, Magic Johnson’s Son, Discusses Coming Out Publicly

by uInterviewApril 16, 2013, 12:00 amNews >

EJ Johnson discussed coming out and what’s next for him in an exclusive interview with P.R. guru Howard Bragman for his YouTube video series GWISSUES.

Johnson revealed that it’s been five years since his been out to his father, former professional basketball player Magic Johnson, and his mother, Cookie Johnson. When he was around 13 or 14 a discussion encouraged by his mother enabled him to comfortably reveal that he was gay. A talk with his dad was soon to follow. Since then, Johnson acknowledges that his family has been incredibly supportive. “I am very, very, very blessed to have the family that I do,” he told Bragman.

EJ, a 20-year-old NYU student, had not planned on coming out publicly just yet. “It came a little sooner than I thought it would," he said. "But it was something I always I was going to go through.” Johnson had just been casually walking hand-in-hand with his best friend (not boyfriend, he clarified) down the Sunset Strip when TMZ approached him. Johnson figured he might as well answer their questions.

“It was like coming out of the closet… again,” Johnson said. “I’m reveling in it. I’m making it work to my advantage. I don’t feel violated at all. I always wanted to come into the spotlight.”

Johnson, whose gay roles models include Ellen DeGeneres and Anderson Cooper, is studying event management and design at NYU, but has an interest in media and would love to host his own talk show one day. He aspires to provide a voice for the young gay community.

What does Johnson think about those whose comments have been less than supportive since he was outed? “They’re attacking me for being me. And to that, I can only say ‘I can only be myself'.”

Watch EJ Johnson's full interview below: