Magic Johnson’s gay child EJ Johnson says they only date ‘straight’ men

EJ Johnson, the son of former basketball pro Magic Johnson and star of reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, is opening up about their unique dating escapades.

Speaking to reality TV producer Carlos King on his podcast Reality with The King earlier this week, EJ Johnson admitted that despite identifying as gay, they are “not attracted to gay men”.

The socialite is known for being femme-presenting, which they credited as helping them attract the “straight” men they prefer to date. During the chat with King, the 33-year-old said that they aren’t a keen on using he/him pronouns to describe themself, and prefer to just be referred to as EJ.

“I don’t attract gay men and I’m not attracted to gay men. It’s just not a thing,” Johnson said.

“If you ask any of the girls they’ll tell you the same and I think they’re just labels you know? That’s why I don’t care when I’m dating someone, I don’t care what you identify as or what you call yourself as long as you’re happy being who you are.”

EJ Johnson, who was outed as gay by tabloid TMZ in 2013, explained that they haven’t always felt welcome in gay spaces as they don’t often present as a gay man.

“That’s why I don’t really go to gay clubs and I don’t go to gay things because the men that I attract are not there. They kind of wave you off,” Johnson said. “These are not the men that are interested in me in that capacity.”

The former reality star added that when they are looking for someone to rendezvous with, they head “to the straight rooms”.

Pressed by King on whether they have always predominately dated men who identify as straight, Johnson said “absolutely”.

Often, the men Johnson gets involved with are those who have “been intimate and dating women for most of their life up until then”.

The star continued: “It has always been that way but now it’s even more so now that I definitely present in more of a feminine way because also it’s like my energy is that.”

Elsewhere in their conversation, Johnson confessed that they have covertly “hooked up” with “one of two” celebrities. 

While Johnson came out publicly in 2013, the TV personality told their parents Magic Johnson and author Cookie Johnson several years prior. The basketball icon has fully embraced his son’s sexuality now, though he has previously admitted to a period of being uncertain with it.

“I think it was just a lot for him to swallow in that conversation,” EJ Johnson said of coming out to Magic Johnson.

“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.”

In 2022, Magic Johnson spoke to Variety about the shift he experienced and how he came to accept his son.

“I had to accept who he was and who he wanted to be. He actually helped me get there, because he was so proud,” he said.

“He changed me… He was so proud. This dude here is just so proud of who he is.”

EJ Johnson has previously spoken about a period of time in the mid 2010s, while his reality show EJNYC, was on air, during which he considered transitioning. However, they ultimately decided against it.

During their chat with King, Johnson spoke about feeling content with who they see in the mirror. 

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