On Monday’s episode of “Red Table Talk” with Jada Pinkett Smith, EJ Johnson revealed that coming out of the closet was particularly difficult when it came time to discuss it with his father, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
EJ, the former “Rich Kids of Beverly Hills” star, appeared on the show with his mother Cookie to discuss how it all played out, and how Magic didn't take the news too well initially.
“We had the talk with Dad and that was a little tough,” Cookie, said. “My husband is the kind of person like he reacts quickly. Everything that came to the top of his head, he just let it out.”
Cookie recalled how the conversation turned hurtful when Magic said, “This is not what I wanted for my son. And do you realize what you’re saying because the world is not going to like that and do you want to live this life?”
The following day, EJ remembers Magic walked into his room, “And was like, ‘We’re going to get through this and I just need time.’ And we both started crying a little bit.” According to EJ, his relationship with his father improved when he moved to New York for college.
“When he came back to visit he picked me up for dinner,” EJ recalled. “He hugged me so hard. He almost like broke my back. At that point, I was like, ‘We’re going to be ok.’ I could really feel the love.”
You can check out the full discussion in the video embedded below.
