PASADENA, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Actress Regina King (R) and son Ian Alexander Jr attend the 45th NAACP Image Awards presented by TV One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2014 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
Regina King is opening up about losing her son Ian Alexander Jr. two years ago. As previously reported, Ian passed away due to self-harm. He was 26 years old.
Her sit-down with ‘Good Morning America’ on Thursday (March 14) marks the first interview she’s given about the impact of Ian’s death. The 53-year-old made it clear that she hasn’t been “the same” since the January 2022 tragedy.
“I’m a different person now than I was Jan. 19,” Regina King stated. “Grief is a journey. I understand that grief is love that has no place to go. I know that it’s important to me to honor Ian in the totality of who he is. I speak about him in the present ’cause he’s always with me.”
Ian Alexander Jr. was Regina’s only child, whom she welcomed with her ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr. Her son took his life just days after turning 26. While confirming his passing, Regina revealed how “devastated” the family was.
“Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,” Regina King said in Jan. 2022. “He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you.”
King didn’t make another public appearance until June of that year.
Speaking to ‘GMA,’ Regina King spoke about struggling with anger, particularly against God, for her son’s death. She also highlighted that people “expect” depression “to look a certain way,” including “heavy.” But, from her POV, her son could light up a room.
“To have to experience this and not be able to have the time to just sit with Ian’s choice, which I respect and understand that he didn’t want to be here anymore. And that’s a hard thing for other people to receive because they did not leave our experience, did not leave Ian’s experience. I was so angry with God. Why would that weight be given to Ian?”
Regina King revealed that her son had seen therapists and psychiatrists and tried programs to the point where he told her, “I’m tired of talking Mom.”
“My favorite thing about myself is being Ian’s mom and I can’t say that with a smile, with tears, with all of the emotions that comes with that if I did not respect the journey.”
Watch the full interview below, where King also speaks about her new role in the film ‘Shirley.’
The first time Regina publicly spoke about her son Ian was following the first anniversary of his passing.
