Photo Credit: Splash News
You’ve all heard about those Minneapolis talk show hosts who were chastised for joking about Magic Johnson “faking” AIDS. We’re not sure that it’s a subject to joke about, but to be honest, we’ve always wondered how Magic could possibly have had AIDS. He declared himself HIV Positive in 1991. Yet it never seemed to affect his health or behavior in any way. He continued to live well, play basketball, and – let’s face it- chase women. It doesn’t add up. Our friends who got sick back then became very ill and most of them died. The life sustaining medication we have now was not available. And even WITH medication there are side effects, changes in appearance, and symptoms. So how could this guy never show any trace of the disease? Just asking.
57 Comments
Janet, I don’t know if you read newspapers but you can have the HIV virus and never develop symptoms. It comes down to the genetic makeup of the infected, the shape of their immune system, the virus strain and many other factors.
Too say that Magic is faking the disease is disgusting of you. You make me sick.
Correction: I just read a story about the controversy and Magic says he has the HIV virus, not AIDS.
To explain the above, I found a good USA Today article on how Magic stays healthy and I put the link but I guess you can’t post links here and my comment didn’t take. The article says he has AIDS, but it’s just the AIDS virus.
Why is he so healthy?
BECAUSE HE IS A BLACK AMERICAN, folks!!
i’m soooo done with you. i have followed your tired behind since you were on e. but this is gross. how desparate are you?
HELLOOOO,
Does no one remember when Magic stated he went to Mexico and Brazil and I think another country. They have meds (cocktails) that are not approved here. I remember pics of him in Mexico being treated. Then I remember him declaring he did indeed have the HIV virus, but it is in remission. He said it would stay in remission and not develop into AIDS with this treatment(s). They apparently found the right combintion to keep the virus subdued. I don’t know why he would make this up, but anything can be said or done nowadays, and who exactly would know.
Side note: His wife, Cookie, stood by him, and she accompanied him to several trips to Mexico
At one point (don’t remember when), I wondered the same thing but then I read that he has HIV, which is not AIDS. A person can be a carrier for HIV (like you can be a carrier for typhoid or the flu) and not show symptoms, yet you can pass them on. The difference here is that typhoid and the flu can be passed on through breath while HIV can’t. That’s why he “appears” healthy – because he is, up to a point.
Bottom line is, why on earth would we care whether he shows symptoms or not? He’s alive and helping people who do have AIDS and his fellow HIV patients. Shouldn’t that be what matters? IMHO, Janet, you should check your facts before you post inflammatory things like this even though you didn’t say it first. Johnson NEVER said he had AIDS; he has HIV.
Slow gossip day, Janet?
This is truly the most thoughtless, insensitive piece of trash I have ever read.
I used to check in here occasionally for fun stuff, but this is just horrible. This is the last time I will ever come here.
Adios.
Slow gossip day, Janet?
This is truly the most thoughtless, insensitive piece of trash I have ever read.
I used to check in here occasionally for fun stuff, but this is just horrible. This is the last time I will ever come here.
Adios.
That has to be the most narrow minded post I have ever read in my life. There are people that will be HIV positive for years and never get aids. For somebody living in LA you are very stupid. After reading that post I cannot visit this site again. And I hope other people do the same thing. Janet your post sounds like something a John McCain supporter would make.
Did your lawyers tell you how to word that piece of crap you posted so that you couldn’t be sued for libel?
Damn your syncophantic ass and the horse you rode in on. You’re dispicable.
Why is Janet dispicable? She’s only stating the obvious. I work at a hospital and come in contact with many HIV positive patients who’ve had the disease for years and they don’t look as healthy as Magic. And there are articles that said that Magic did indeed have AIDS. So don’t shoot the messenger.
Just because Janet is noting something the public has already talked about doesn’t make her dispicable. Oh, and Etienne, he isn’t helping people in any way. There was an article that AIDS charities were annoyed that he wasn’t making the effort to help out the way he used to.
there are different strains of the virus, I know someone who tested positive and on meds for a while, turned out they had a really wimpy version of it and the meds were greatly reduced and they have been healty
Amy,
He has helped many AIDS charities. Look it up. thnxbai.
Kudos, Janet. You sparked a great debate (sprinkled with the usual loser comments). HIV/AIDs is a mystery, and none of us have any idea what Magic has done or is going through. Everyone sure has a strong opinion, though.
I wish people would tone down the hate in their messages. Don’t we have enough darkness in the world right now?
JANET…….I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 1986…..NO SYMPTOMS…..NO MEDS EVER..HAS LOST MANY MANY FRIENDS….AND ASKS WHY NOT ME……WHO KNOWS….ALL I CAN SAY IS THANK GOD…EVERY ONE IS DIFFERENT….
He’s part ape
Okay, while I do not agree with Janet, this is a free country, and Internet, and people are allowed to post their opinions. What bothers me is how people want to silence doubt. Grow up!!!
1:41 PM
He’s probaly related to YOU!
1:41 PM
He’s probaly related to YOU!
1:41 PM
He’s probaly related to YOU!
Okay, while I do not agree with Janet, this is a free country, and Internet, and people are allowed to post their opinions. What bothers me is how people want to silence doubt. Grow up!!!
Okay, while I do not agree with Janet, this is a free country, and Internet, and people are allowed to post their opinions. What bothers me is how people want to silence doubt. Grow up!!!
ignorant
OK, he looks healthy. BUT, you have to wonder why on earth would he announce that he contracted the HIV virus if he really did not have it? When he made that announcement, that was the time when people with HIV were really shunned like lepers. Come on, people, why would he like about something like that? If he wanted sympathy, he could have said he had cancer. People would have been sympathetic without the “shun” factor.
OK, he looks healthy. BUT, you have to wonder why on earth would he announce that he contracted the HIV virus if he really did not have it? When he made that announcement, that was the time when people with HIV were really shunned like lepers. Come on, people, why would he like about something like that? If he wanted sympathy, he could have said he had cancer. People would have been sympathetic without the “shun” factor.
this story is all over the place, not just on Janet’s blog, get a grip folks and quit being so rediculous.
Magic DOES look far healthier than any HIV patient I have ever seen either, fat and sassy even, and didn’t he father a baby with his wife AFTER this announcement which means unprotected, irresponsible sex. Should he have passed his disease along to his wife and baby then it would have been tragic, let alone selfish, one DOES wonder how he managed to do that, have a child without passing along his so-called disease.
Curiouser & curiouser….
ehhhhh his name is “magic”…
palin power
Magic needs to turn to Jesus and repent of his sins, for the Bible says we have all sinned in one way or another. If, God forbid, the HIV virus should go into AIDS, his soul will be forever lost. Jesus is just a prayer away !
If he has already done so, he is forgiven and saved.
Did you prefer him to show some symptoms to make you feel better Janet. This is such a sorry story and I hope you regret it.
Did you prefer him to show some symptoms to make you feel better Janet. This is such a sorry story and I hope you regret it.
These articles on this site have been on a downhill slide for quite awhile, but this one takes the cake. Janet, you need to reassess your entire life, cause you revere the things that are superficial and stupid. Shame on you for wishing another human suffer and die just because all your “friends” did. You are truly an evil person for even putting this into words.
Shame on you for writing this
I, too, know a few people w/ the HIV virus who are still around. Part of it, as several folks have already stated, is that there are different strains of the virus — and some are stronger than others. I don’t doubt that Magic has HIV… but he “lucked” out, I think, w/ one of the weaker strains…
My brother (gay in SF) has been HIV positive for over 20 years with no signs of AIDS yet. He;s on one of the cocktails to inhibit it’s progression and it seems to be working great.
Why does this blog exist?
have to say when I logged on and read your article Janet, it was very unfortunate that you would take this route. I have followed Magic Johnson’s career and charities as well as his wife Cookies community efforts. They both are a wonderful couple and they are ONE couple who do alot for the community. Magic’s wife and child were BLESSED to not be infected with the virus because she was already pregnant when he discovered that he had the virus. They both were proven to be HIV negative. Magic lived a typical wild NBA players life and that lifestyle caught up with him. I have seen him in many interviews and he said one of the biggest regrets of his life was putting his wife and child at risk and also living so recklessly. I worked directly beside a lady he has infected with the virus who knew she had it for almost 20 years before she told anyone. She never took any medications for the illness. She was a healthy looking as me. It’s hard to know who has it unless they tell you. Let’s don’t stand in judgement of each other. No matter what you think about Magic Johnson or anyone else infected with HIV/AIDS, it affects us all in some form or face. PEACE EVERYONE!
The reason is, 4k/month for meds. He is definately an A cup. Time for a bra.
People fake things like being happy or rich, not have infectious diseased. And to say he does not do enough for charity -he can only do his part he is not supposed to save the world. and if he found what works best for his health and has the money to pay for it – STFU. Look how many people not too long ago came out and said they have cancer and nobodies sayin why arent they dead yet they must be faking.
People fake things like being happy or rich, not have infectious diseases. And to say he does not do enough for charity -he can only do his part he is not supposed to save the world. and if he found what works best for his health and has the money to pay for it – STFU. Look how many people not too long ago came out and said they have cancer and nobodies sayin why arent they dead yet they must be faking.
I agree with Janet, heterosexual men rarely contract the AIDS virus, it is highly dubious he ever had it. Unless like a lot of black men, he was on the down low. He could’ve been pursuaded by his p.r. flacks to say he had it, to put a celebrity face on the disease, and make the situation look hopeful. While he may have been an athletic talent, he seems really dumb, like he can barely read.
I wish people would tone down the hate in their messages. Don’t we have enough darkness in the world right now?
October 11, 2008 10:25 AM
kait
THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF THING THAT BREEDS THE DARKNESS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT…PURE IGNORANCE. WOW THINGS MUST BE PRETTY BAD WHEN YOU HAVE TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE COMMENTING BY POSTING THESE THINGS…HMMM I WONDER WHERE YOU GOT THE IDEA…PEREZ MAYBE…SO DESPERATE JUST LIKE YOUR HIDEOUS ORANGE HAIR
I wish people would tone down the hate in their messages. Don’t we have enough darkness in the world right now?
October 11, 2008 10:25 AM
kait
THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF THING THAT BREEDS THE DARKNESS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT…PURE IGNORANCE. WOW THINGS MUST BE PRETTY BAD WHEN YOU HAVE TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE COMMENTING BY POSTING THESE THINGS…HMMM I WONDER WHERE YOU GOT THE IDEA…PEREZ MAYBE…SO DESPERATE JUST LIKE YOUR HIDEOUS ORANGE HAIR
BTW I HAVE MANY FRIENDS AND A BROTHER LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS…ALSO MANY THAT HAVE PASSED. IT WOULD NEVER CROSS MY MIND TO QUESTION THOSE LIVING AND LOOKING AND FEELING GOOD.
SO PATHETIC
BTW I HAVE MANY FRIENDS AND A BROTHER LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS…ALSO MANY THAT HAVE PASSED. IT WOULD NEVER CROSS MY MIND TO QUESTION THOSE LIVING AND LOOKING AND FEELING GOOD.
SO PATHETIC
SORRY FOR POSTING TWICE.
I JUST WANTED TO ADD I JUST NOTICED HOW YOU EVEN ENDED WITH “JUST ASKING” TOTAL PEREZ WANNABE! WOW
WELL I’M HAPPY TO SAY I RARELY COME TO THIS SITE SO MAYBE YOU ALREADY HAVE BUT I’M JUST WONDERING HOW SOON BEFORE YOU START POSTING PICS OF CELEB’S CHILDREN SAYING HOW UGLY OR FAT THEY ARE
I don’t consider myself racist, but I’ve wondered for years how Magic was able to carry the HIV virus and never have it progress into full blown AIDS. I don’t know why everyone is so freaked out just by people wondering how he got so lucky. Magic is awesome and I wish him many years of good health!!
Janet, You are just simply disgusting! Have you burned any sheets lately.
See Ya HAG!
First, as pervasive as his lifestyle was in the late ’80’s I’m sure Magic Johnson is HIV positive and I think he did the right thing by coming forward about it. He put a face on the disease and his activism has been stalwart to say the least. Second, HIV IS NOT AIDS. If you have the virus then you are more LIKELY to die from AIDS related causes than others BUT diet and exercise have shown to contribute positively to lower viral lode numbers and the appearance of being disease free. Coupled with proper medication, sometimes experimental to be sure, especially if you can afford it, you can live a life close to normal. There are scores of documented cases of people living for decades while being HIV positive because they were diligent about being healthy… so keep the jokes and snide comments about someone s HIV status to yourself. Your ignorance could be just the catalyst for someone who really needs help NOT to seek it. Dumb ass…
I remember reading a long time ago Magic Johnson also was seeing a Chinese doctor for ancient remedies.
Who knows maybe they found the right combo to keep symptoms away.