EJ Johnson says they compete with straight women for male attention

EJ Johnson is speaking candidly about identity, dating, and navigating attraction in today’s social landscape. During a March 10 appearance on the Reality with the King podcast hosted by Carlos King, Johnson discussed their experiences dating men and explained why many of the people they attract don’t typically identify as gay.

During the conversation, Johnson—who uses they/them pronouns, and is the son of NBA great Magic Johnson—said they often find themselves competing with straight women for the attention of men, rather than with other gay men. According to Johnson, that dynamic has shaped where they socialize and the types of relationships they pursue. “I don’t attract gay men and I’m not attracted to gay men,” Johnson explained on the podcast. “The men that I attract are not there,” they added while describing why they rarely frequent gay clubs.

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Johnson noted that when visiting traditional LGBTQ nightlife spaces, the atmosphere can feel misaligned with their dating experiences. “These are not the men that are interested in me in that capacity,” they said, explaining that the men they encounter romantically are typically found in more mainstream social settings.

The television personality first rose to public attention through the E! reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills, which premiered in 2014 and followed the lives of wealthy young adults in Los Angeles. Johnson later starred in the spinoff series EJ in the City, which focused on fashion, identity, and their life navigating New York’s social scene.

During the podcast interview, Johnson also reflected on their evolving approach to identity. They explained that they prefer to be referred to simply by name rather than through specific gender labels. “Call me EJ as much as possible,” Johnson said, noting that while pronouns like “they” or “she” are acceptable, the focus for them is personal authenticity rather than rigid definitions.

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Johnson also shared that they have always felt comfortable expressing a feminine identity, describing themselves as “a deeply feminine being.” That self-understanding, they said, has shaped both their fashion presence and their approach to relationships.