Magic Johnson’s family photo has gone viral online due to the positioning of his openly gay son.
The former Los Angeles Lakers star and his wife, Cookie Johnson, had their first child together in 1992, with Magic fathering an older son from a previous relationship.
Earvin “EJ” Johnson came out as gay in 2013 but is said to have privately come out to his friends a few years earlier. TMZ broke the news on his sexuality, publishing photos of him holding hands with another male in Los Angeles.
EJ, a television personality and fashion icon, has starred in a ‘Rich Kids of Beverley Hills’ spin-off called ‘EJNYC’. He is also an outspoken LGBTQ+ advocate.
A photo of Magic and his family surfaced on X this week, drawing plenty of attention, with many users pointing out how far EJ was from the rest of the family.
Check it out below:
WOW…” a user wrote.
“I can see the gap thats all I am going to say,” a user wrote.
I can see the gap thats all I am going to say
“Why they so far apart ,” someone observed.
“Why all they family pics EJ always off to the side smh,” said a third.
Why all they family pics EJ always off to the side smh
— Sexyblac_ (@SexyblacI) August 12, 2025
“I see what he did. Easy to crop out the son lol,” someone else claimed.
I see what he did. Easy to crop out the son lol
— HERMES (@hermesverus) August 12, 2025
“They always put him far away on the side so they can crop him out ,” another user commented.
Magic has previously admitted he struggled to accept his son’s sexuality when he first found out, but eventually came around.
“You get the other side too—a lot of people don’t love that I love my son,” he said. “But I don’t care.”
Over the years, the five-time NBA champion has become more vocal in his support for his offspring, posting birthday messages and lauding his authenticity on social media.
“Happy birthday to my son EJ! Thank you for making the world a better place,” he wrote when EJ turned 33 in June. “Your mom and I love you and are very happy that you’re making a difference in the lives of so many people!”