Former Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson stated that he has gone over two decades without speaking to SiriusXM radio host Howard Stern, who joked about Johnson’s HIV status during an interview on “The Magic Hour.”
Stern piled on about Johnson’s bachelor days during the interview: “At least you had fun getting AIDS.” Johnson calmly corrected him, saying that he had HIV, not AIDS. Nevertheless, while the two were talking, Stern wanted to poke into the former Lakers guard’s private life.
“Listen, I know about the HIV and everything but I want to know about the life before HIV! You had the life I wanted!” Stern said.
“You present an image – a clean cut guy – this and that but I want to know about these booty parties that you used to have! White chicks, black chicks? What do we got? What do you prefer?”
Johnson spoke with Variety regarding the launch of his new Apple TV+ docuseries “They Call Me Magic.” The Basketball Hall of Famer touched on many, including the incident with the radio host, saying that he wanted to say something while hitting Stern at the same time.
“I wanted to say something and hit him at the same time — on air,” Johnson said. “I was mad when they booked him, but there’s nothing you can do. When people look for ratings, this is what happens.”
Nonetheless, Johnson stated that through that ugly experience, he did learn something: “I’ve never put myself — or HIV and AIDS, or my race — in that position again, ever again.”
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
