Cookie and Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr., sat down with “Good Morning America” on Wednesday for a rare and candid joint conversation about living with Magic’s HIV-positive status and their collective journey to loving their gay son.
The interview was pegged to Believing in Magic: My Story of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith, Cookie’s new memoir, which detailed their 25-year marriage. While the interview is largely focused on the aftermath of the former NBA star’s historic announcement of his HIV status 20 years ago, the pair also discussed coming to accept their gay son, EJ’s sexuality.
Robin Roberts says in the above interview that Magic had a tough time with EJ’s coming out, initially not accepting his sexuality but later apologizing.
“I had to come to realize that he is who he is and he’s going to be happy,” Magic said to Roberts. “I knew he was looking for me to accept who he was and I had to get out of my own way and out of my macho [mentality].”
Cookie elaborated on Magic’s thoughts, saying she had to work through her religious beliefs.
“We know that religion says no, and I did have a big problem with that,” Cookie explained. “Ultimately, I just prayed to God and said God, ‘You reveal to me how you feel about this,’ and he was like ‘Love. Love your child.’ And that’s what I ― that’s what Jesus was about: love.”
Watch the interview for yourself above and head here for more information on Cookie’s memoir Believing in Magic: My Story of Love, Overcoming Adversity, and Keeping the Faith.
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