You’ve seen them. Those Magic Johnson's son images that seem to break the internet every few months. Usually, it's EJ Johnson—Earvin Johnson III—striding down a sidewalk in West Hollywood or stepping out of a black SUV in New York City. He’s often draped in faux fur, rocking thigh-high Chanel boots, or sporting a sheer top that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination.
He looks fearless.
But behind those high-resolution paparazzi shots is a much bigger story about a family that had to learn how to love out loud in front of the entire world. It wasn't always just about the outfits. For a long time, the public conversation around these photos was pretty harsh. People didn't know what to make of a legendary NBA player's son who didn't just step outside the "athlete's son" box—he basically set the box on fire and danced on the ashes.
Honestly, EJ is a trailblazer.
Why the Internet Can't Stop Looking at Magic Johnson's Son Images
Let’s be real for a second. The obsession with these photos started around 2013. That was the year TMZ published a video of EJ walking on the Sunset Strip, holding hands with a male friend. He was wearing a gorgeous leather jacket and carrying a Birkin bag. It was the "Birkin heard 'round the world."
Up until that point, the public image of Magic Johnson's family was very "traditional sports royalty." Suddenly, there was this flamboyant, confident young man who refused to hide. The Magic Johnson's son images shifted from being "celebrity kid" snapshots to a cultural flashpoint.
He stayed true to himself.
The images we see today on Instagram or Getty are a massive departure from the EJ we first met. If you look at older photos from the mid-2000s, you see a young man who was struggling with his weight and his identity. He eventually underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2014, losing over 100 pounds. This physical transformation was a turning point. It's like the weight loss gave him the canvas he needed to finally paint the masterpiece he wanted to be.
His style is "gender-fluid luxury." One day he’s in a sleek, tailored suit that would make a Bond villain jealous. The next, he’s in a lace jumpsuit with a plunging neckline. He’s not trying to be a woman; he’s just EJ. He’s often said in interviews, like his 2018 appearance on Red Table Talk, that he doesn't feel the need to transition because he feels "very comfortable in his own skin." That’s a nuance a lot of people miss when they just scroll past his photos.
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The Role of Magic and Cookie Johnson
You can't talk about these images without talking about the parents. Magic Johnson is a 6'9" mountain of masculinity and sports history. In the early days, even Magic struggled. He’s been very open about it. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Magic admitted that when EJ first came out to him, it wasn't an immediate "thumbs up." He had to process it.
But then he did something most parents struggle with. He changed.
"It’s all about loving them no matter who they are, what they decide to do," Magic told Ellen.
When you see photos of Magic and EJ together on a red carpet, you’re seeing a father who chose his son over his "macho" reputation. That’s why those Magic Johnson's son images carry so much weight. They represent a bridge between two very different worlds: the hyper-masculine world of 80s professional basketball and the modern, fluid world of Gen Z and Millennial expression.
Cookie Johnson, EJ's mom, was the glue. She’s often seen in the background of these paparazzi shots, looking like the ultimate proud stage mom. She wrote about this in her memoir, Believing in Magic. She had to reconcile her deep religious faith with her son’s identity. She chose love. It’s a recurring theme. If you look at the photos of the family on their annual summer yacht vacations in Europe, you see a group of people who are genuinely happy. There’s no tension. Just a lot of designer swimwear and Mediterranean sun.
Breaking Down the "EJ Effect" on Fashion
EJ Johnson didn't just want to be famous for being Magic’s son. He wanted a career. He starred in Rich Kids of Beverly Hills and eventually got his own spinoff, EJNYC. Through these shows, the Magic Johnson's son images became more curated. He became a fixture at New York Fashion Week.
He’s a front-row regular.
Designers love him because he actually buys the clothes and wears them with more conviction than most models. He’s done for the Birkin bag what his dad did for the no-look pass. He made it iconic in a whole new context.
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- The Signature Style: High-waisted skirts, sheer blouses, leather leggings, and thigh-high boots.
- The Makeup: Always flawless, usually featuring a sharp contour and a bold lip.
- The Confidence: This is the most important part of the image. He never looks uncomfortable.
People often search for Magic Johnson's son images because they are looking for a "gotcha" moment. They want to see someone looking "weird." But the joke is on the haters, because EJ looks like he’s having more fun than anyone else in the frame. He’s turned the sidewalk into his own personal runway.
There’s a specific photo of EJ from 2016 wearing a sheer black lace top and leather shorts at a Beautycon event. That image went everywhere. It was polarizing. Some people praised his bravery; others left hateful comments. But EJ’s response has always been a shrug. He knows who he is.
Misconceptions and the Other Johnson Siblings
While EJ gets most of the spotlight, Magic has other children. There's Andre Johnson, Magic's eldest son from a previous relationship. Andre is the "business" son. You’ll see photos of him in sharp suits, working alongside his dad in Magic Johnson Enterprises. He stays mostly out of the tabloid fray.
Then there’s Elisa Johnson, EJ’s sister, whom Magic and Cookie adopted in 1995. She’s a fashion powerhouse in her own right. You’ll often see Magic Johnson's son images that actually feature Elisa too. They are incredibly close. Elisa has her own eyewear line and is a respected figure in the streetwear scene.
The contrast between Andre, EJ, and Elisa is fascinating. It shows that there’s no one "correct" way to be a Johnson. Magic and Cookie raised three very different human beings who all seem to genuinely like each other. That’s the real "Magic."
The Impact on the Black Community
We have to talk about the cultural impact here. Historically, the Black community and the sports world haven't always been the most welcoming places for LGBTQ+ individuals. When Magic Johnson's son images first started circulating, they were met with a lot of pushback.
But something changed over the last decade.
Seeing a Black sports legend like Magic Johnson stand 100% behind his flamboyant son shifted the needle. It gave other families permission to accept their kids. It started conversations in barber shops and living rooms that weren't happening before.
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EJ has become a sort of unofficial ambassador. He isn't a politician or an activist in the traditional sense, but just by existing and refusing to "tone it down" for the comfort of others, he’s doing the work. Every time a new set of Magic Johnson's son images hits the web, it’s a reminder that masculinity isn't a monolith.
The Evolution of EJ's Public Persona
If you look at the most recent photos of EJ from late 2024 and early 2025, there’s a new level of sophistication. The "Rich Kids" era was all about flash and logos. Today, he’s leaning more into "Quiet Luxury" (but with a gender-bending twist). The fabrics look more expensive, the tailoring is sharper, and the vibe is more "Fashion Editor" than "Socialite."
He’s grown up.
He’s also leaned into his role as a voice for the community. He’s worked with organizations like GLAAD and has used his platform to speak about HIV/AIDS awareness, a cause that obviously hits very close to home given his father’s history. The images of EJ at charity galas, standing next to his father, are some of the most powerful photos in the Johnson family archive. They represent two generations of men who have changed the world in completely different ways.
One did it on the court. The other is doing it on the catwalk of life.
What You Should Take Away From the EJ Johnson Story
Searching for Magic Johnson's son images might start as a curiosity about celebrity fashion, but it usually leads people to a story about unconditional love and radical self-acceptance. It’s a masterclass in how to handle fame and identity.
If you’re looking at these photos and feeling inspired—or even if you’re feeling confused—here are a few things to keep in mind about why EJ Johnson matters:
- Authenticity Wins: EJ never tried to be a basketball player. He never tried to be "one of the boys" to please his dad’s fans. That authenticity is why he has a career today.
- Support Systems Matter: The reason EJ is so confident is largely because he didn't have to fight his parents for his right to exist. When Magic said, "I love you," the rest of the world’s opinion didn't matter as much.
- Fashion is a Tool: For EJ, clothes are armor and art. He uses his image to communicate his mood and his power.
- The Narrative is Yours: You can't control what people say about your "images" online, but you can control how you show up.
Practical Steps for Embracing Your Own Style
Whether you're a fan of EJ's look or just someone trying to find your own voice, there's a lot to learn from how he handles his public image.
- Stop dressing for the "Standard": Most people dress to fit in. EJ dresses to stand out. Try adding one piece to your wardrobe that feels "too much" for you and see how it changes your confidence.
- Focus on Fit and Grooming: Part of why EJ’s photos look so good is that his clothes actually fit his body perfectly, and his grooming is top-tier. Even the wildest outfit looks "high-end" if the execution is precise.
- Find Your Tribe: Surround yourself with people who celebrate your choices. Look at the photos of EJ with his sister Elisa or his mom Cookie. They aren't just tolerating him; they are hyping him up.
- Ignore the Comments: If EJ Johnson read every comment on a tabloid post, he’d never leave the house. He focuses on his work, his friends, and his family.
The story of the Magic Johnson's son images is still being written. Every year, EJ pushes the envelope a little further. He’s not just "Magic's son" anymore. He’s EJ. He’s an icon in his own right, and he’s doing it one pair of heels at a time.
Keep an eye on the next fashion week cycle. You can bet that a new set of images will be dropping soon, and they will be just as bold, just as unapologetic, and just as EJ as ever. That's just how the Johnsons roll.