EJ Johnson Opens Up About Surprising Dating Preferences
EJ Johnson, the 33-year-old son of NBA legend Magic Johnson, has candidly discussed his unexpected dating preferences in a recent podcast interview. Despite identifying as gay, Johnson revealed that he does not date other gay men, instead finding himself attracted to and competing with women for the attention of straight men.
"I Don't Attract Gay Men"
During an appearance on the Reality with The King podcast hosted by Carlos King, Johnson made his position clear. "I don't attract gay men and I'm not attracted to gay men," he stated emphatically. He elaborated that he avoids gay clubs and events because the men he attracts are not typically found in those spaces. "These are not the men that are interested in me in that capacity," Johnson explained, noting that he receives attention from men in traditionally straight environments instead.
Feminine Presentation and Celebrity Encounters
Johnson, known for his gender-fluid and often feminine fashion choices—though he does not identify as transgender—believes his presentation plays a role. "It's always been that way, but now it's even more so—now that I definitely present in more of a feminine way," he said. While he has kept details of his love life private, Johnson confirmed he has secretly "hooked up" with "one or two" celebrities, adding an element of intrigue to his revelations.
Family Dynamics and Acceptance
The conversation also touched on Johnson's relationship with his father, Magic Johnson. EJ came out as gay around the time he rose to fame on the E! reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills in 2013, but he has stated he has no plans to medically transition. He identifies with all pronouns, though he mentioned phasing out some masculine identifiers recently.
Magic Johnson initially struggled with his son's sexuality, as he admitted in a 2022 Variety interview. "When you grow up in team sports, you're thinking, 'Is he gonna play sports?' And then when I saw that he liked dolls and to play dress-up... 'What are you doing?'" he recalled. EJ said his parents were the "last people" he told, and Magic's reaction was difficult, involving "a lot of just going back and forth" and "things that weren't particularly nice."
Reconciliation and Support
After EJ moved to New York for college, Magic visited him months later, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation. "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," EJ remembered. Today, Magic proudly supports his son, walking red carpets with him and advocating for the LGBTQ community. In 2023, he told People, "I'm really proud of him because he's getting so involved and letting his voice help other people too."
Career and Identity
Since his reality TV debut, Johnson has expanded his career, working as a voice actor on the Disney+ series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. His openness about his dating life and identity continues to spark conversations, highlighting the complexities of personal preferences within the LGBTQ spectrum.
