EJ Johnson talks about the struggles of dating when he has a famous dad
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 08: EJ Johnson attends the Tom Ford Women’s Fall/Winter 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week at Park Avenue Armory on February 8, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Reality star EJ Johnson has talked about how he struggles with dating because he has a famous dad.
The 26-year old, the son of former basketball ace Magic Johnson, said that some men had dated him for his celebrity status.
“It’s always been a struggle,” Johnson told American web television show Red Table Talk. “There’s so many factors. First of all, the celebrity thing — who are you here for, are you dating me or are you trying to date my dad?
He continued: “These men either just want to be there for one thing and then don’t want to stay for the real relationship part, or they just want to ride the wave and be bougie and go out and have their picture taken and do all of that.”
Johnson, who came out in 2013, also said that he had yet to get a boyfriend to meet his family, adding: “Every time I would be ready to something happens and then I’m like, ‘Okay’.”
Johnson, who starred in reality TV series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, was raised in a Christian Pentecostal environment.
In April last year, basketball legend and retired NBA star Magic Johnson opened up about his son coming out as gay on The Ellen Show.
The sporting legend spoke candidly with host Ellen DeGeneres about his 24-year-old son.
Asked about his experience as a parent of an LGBT child, Johnson explained: “I think it’s all about you not trying to decide what your daughter or son should be or what you want them to become.
“It’s all about loving them no matter who they are or what they decide to do.
Magic Johnson and his son EJ Johnson. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
“When my son came out, I was so happy for him and happy for us as parents. We love him. EJ is amazing. So you got to support your child, because there are so many people who try to discriminate against them, so they need you to support them.
“Because if you don’t support them, who is going to support them? And love them? It’s really important.’
Magic Johnson quit professional basketball in 1991, after he announced he was HIV positive.
His announcement helped dispel the myth that HIV is a ‘gay disease’.
Since retiring, he has become an advocate for HIV and AIDS prevention charities, and an advocate of safe sex.
The basketball star’s wife Cookie Johnson previously opened up about her own struggle to reconcile EJ’s sexuality.
