Magic Johnson: ‘We don’t have to be ashamed of it.’
Magic Johnson’s 1991 interview with Arsenio Hall: ‘What we have to do is make people aware of what’s happening’
Sep 2, 2025
Editor’s note: For many people, Earvin “Magic” Johnson might be the most famous person with HIV of all time. In November 1991, the Los Angeles Lakers basketball player announced that he had tested positive for HIV. The news made headlines; if one of the most famous—and beloved—NBA stars could get HIV, who was safe?
It was a different time. Although AZT had been in use to treat HIV since 1987, the first effective HIV medications would not be available until 1996, changing HIV “from a death sentence to a life sentence.” Stigma and misinformation were especially virulent in those early years of the epidemic. How people talked nearly 30 years ago about HIV might raise some eyebrows today.
Magic learned he had HIV on October 25 when he was rejected for a life insurance policy. The HIV test was repeated, and he announced the results in a press conference on November 6, 1991.
On November 8, Johnson appeared on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” starring the eponymous popular Black comic whose show aired on the Fox TV network (which also airs “The Simpsons,” and not to be confused with the Fox News Channel). Johnson and Hall were friends, and the interview that aired was one of the first efforts to portray people with HIV with compassion and acceptance.
Ahead of Johnson’s scheduled appearance this week at the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS in Washington, D.C., Positively Aware is reposting its December 1991 cover story, an edited transcript of the interview, adapted with permission of The Arsenio Hall Show at the time it was first published.
Arsenio: The first question I want to ask you is this: you called and said you wanted to come on the show tonight. Why?
Magic: Well, I think the message is clear. I want everyone to everybody to practice safe sex and use condoms. Be aware of what's going on.
As I’ve talked to the doctors in the last couple of days, they’ve told me there’s over a million people who have this virus and don't even know it. So that's why I went out publicly yesterday and said, “I have it,” because I want to educate the public. We don’t have to run from it We don’t have to be ashamed of it. What we have to do is make people aware of what’s happening So, I want to come out and educate not only the young people, but also the Black community as well. Because it’s really spreading quickly through the Black community.
Arsenio: There are misconceptions in the community in general. Obviously, there are people who, in the back of their mind think that this might be a homosexual relationship disease. I’ll let you go from there.
Magic: First of all, I’m far from being a homosexual; you already know that, and everybody else close to me understands that. But you see, that’s the whole thing: they think it can only happen to gay people. That’s so wrong, Even I was naive to think “it couldn’t happen to me, only them.” Well, that’s wrong. Heterosexuals, it’s coming fast, and we’re going to have to be prepared for it and also practice safe sex.
Arsenio: You know, my dad was a preacher, and when I was little I used to say, “Dad, why does God let bad things happen to good people?” And he used to try to explain things to me. Have you at any point said to yourself, “why me?”
Magic: I think you always say that when it first happens. But it only took me five or ten minutes to understand why. God put me here first for basketball. And through basketball, I’ve been able to ruin that myth that athletes are dumb jocks. And people see that I’ve taken what I’ve accomplished on the court and turned it into great business interests.
So, whatever happens to me, I don’t have to work a day in my life, ever. And my wife will be well taken care of. So, God said, “OK, we did that, we educated the athletes that they can be athletes but also have a brain and get into business.” Now, He's taken me and said, “let’s educate the public on what’s goin’ on with HIV.”
And so, I’m not fearing it, I’m not down. I’m here saying, “I got it, but I’m going to live on.” And you don’t have to run from me and say, “Oh, here comes Magic, uh-oh!” You don’t have to do all of that.
You can still give me my hugs, my high-fives, my kisses, and say, “You takin’ your medicine? You alright? You been workin’ out?” Because that’s what I need—just you to be you, lookin’ out after me. I don’t need anything else. You don’t have to feel sorry for me, because if I died tomorrow, I’ve had the greatest life that anybody could ever have.
Plus, I came on to be with you [Arsenio]. You can gain strength from being with those who are close: you, my boy [Magic has a 10- year-old son, Andre), my family, my wife Cookie—she’s been a trooper through all of this.
Arsenio: Let's talk about Cookie [Johnson’s wife]. When did you tell her? What was that like and how is she?
Magic: There’s no question, it was difficult to come home and say, “I have this HIV virus.” When I told her, of course she was shocked. Then they tested her and she came out negative, which is great because we’re having a baby. The baby is healthy and she’s healthy. Yeah! I lose one way, but I win in this way.
I said, “You know, baby, if you want, you can leave because I understand the pressure.” And she almost smacked me upside my head so fast that I couldn't get the words out. She said, “What are you talking about?” And she’s been by my side and she’s hanging in there. She’s a strong woman and I was smart to marry her.
Arsenio: When did you first know something was wrong?
Magic: Well, you see, this is a thing where you really don’t know anything is wrong. We were taking tests for a life insurance policy, and the blood sample didn’t come out right. And they were checking it to see what’s wrong. And they went further and further and found that this is what came out of it.
So, it’s not like anything is wrong with me. I went through training camp. I played in all those games. I’m fine. I’m running three or four miles a day and working out. So it’s not like something is wrong. But if I had still continued to play, and put the stress on my mind and body, then the virus would have overtaken me three or four or five years from now.
Now I have a chance to live longer if I just take my medicine and eat right. So I’ll be here buggin’ your butt for a long time. You know that because I haven’t accomplished another of my goals. I want to own a team—that’s a big, strong goal of mine. We can sit on the floor seats and watch the Magic Girls dance and watch the team get busy. Then, we can kiss that trophy together and say, “Yeah! We won the world championship.”
Arsenio: You know what you should do though? I haven’t said this to you and I’m going to say it to you for the first time here.
When you said, “I’m retiring,” I was like, “You know best.” But the first thing that hit me was the big Olympic team. And I know one of the reasons Michael Jordan wanted to play and one of the reasons [Boston Celtics forward] Larry Bird wanted to play was because they wanted to feel the lane with Magic coming down. Will you go with them and coach them?
Magic: Without a doubt. Larry and Michael and [Detroit Pistons point guard] Isiah Thomas all cried; but Michael told me, “Man, you just messed up the whole Olympic team.” And all of them have been very supportive. I told Michael, “Look, this don’t mean nothin’. I’m still gonna beat you one on one. We’re still hangin’.” I told Larry Byrd I’d still beat him in checkers in five or 10 years.
You know, nothing has changed, other than I’ve become a spokesman for this virus and I’m retiring, Other than that, I’m still Earvin, happy-go-lucky, livin’ life to the fullest and havin’ a good time. So, in one sense, it’s changed, but that’s God’s way. And I have accepted that. And I’m going to carry on, brother. That’s the only thing I can do...
I came on just to let people know what time it is. Please, get your thinking caps on, and put that cap [condom] on down there and then everything will be all right...
And you know what else has been great in this? I signed with a lot of companies. And i have been reading, and it has been said that they probably would let me go. Every company that I have endorsed has called me today—whether it’s Pepsi, Nestlé, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Converse—everybody, and said I’m still with them. And that was beautiful, and I know I’ve signed with some great companies.
Arsenio: I know you believe in God, and that’s what we’re going to draw our strength from. You were with the Lakers, and there was only a bench for the Lakers. Now, you’re with a team that is comprised of the entire world; and we’re going to win this one...
And also, I want you to realize that as positive as you are, we’re going to have a lot of negativity out there. There are journalists, and there are germallsts. And we're going to be with you through that. Because there’ll be rumors and they’re going to start talking trash, and we're going to be with you through it all.
Magic: Well, you know we all have to have thick skin. There’s been so many rumors before, even before all this happened, in terms of just basketball and so on. And. I’m not worried about that. People can’t get me down. There’s nothing they can say. I know who I am. I know what I’m about They’ve got to deal with me.If they can’t, they can go behind my back if they want. I’m here, and I’m going to take all of it, and go from there.
Arsenio: You've got God and you’ve got your family. How’s mom?
Magic: Mom and dad are great. They tell me they love me and, “whatever happens, we’re here for you.” As long as you’ve got God, your parents, your brothers and sisters, your friends—and I’ve got my wife—hey, everything else don’t matter... Now, instead of living for myself and my family, now, I’m living for other people.
Arsenio: And we’re going to make sure you live forever.
Magic: I know you will. I know you will.
Arsenio: Earvin “Magic” Johnson!
Magic Johnson on The Arsenio Hall Show. (Photo: AP World Wide Photos)
