Actress Regina King is speaking out for the first time since her son’s tragic death. On January 20, 2022, King’s son, Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide, just one day after turning 26. Breaking her silence on her son’s passing, the 53-year-old actress sat down with ‘Good Morning America‘ co-anchor Robin Roberts, whom she tells, “Grief is a journey.”
During the ABC News exclusive interview, Regina King talks her career, including her upcoming role in the film ‘Shirley,’ which chronicles the life of the first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm. In her sit-down, King also speaks out on her late son and how he still has an influence on her. Ian was her only child, with whom she shared with her ex-husband, record producer Ian Alexander, Sr. The two were married for nine years before divorcing in 2007.
While the full interview doesn’t air until Thursday (March 14) morning on ‘Good Morning America,’ promo clips have been surfacing online, including the moment where the Academy Award winner becomes vulnerable enough to speak on her son’s passing for the first time.
In their exclusive sit-down, Robin Roberts asks Regina King how she has been dealing these last two years. King tells her, “I’m a different person, you know, now than I was Jan. 19. Grief is a journey, you know? I understand that grief is love that has no place to go, and that we all handle it differently.”
At the time of her son’s death, Regina King released the following statement: “Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. 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.”
On January 19, 2022, what would have been Ian’s 27th birthday, his mother broke her silence and shared a moving tribute to her late son.
On her instagram, she posted a video of an orange sky lantern that she lit in his honor. She captioned the post, “January 19th is Ian’s Worthday. As we still process his physical absence, we celebrate his presence. We are all in different places on the planet … so is Ian. His spirit is the thread that connects us. Of course orange is your favorite color. It’s the fire and the calm. I see you in everything I breathe. My absolute favorite thing about myself is being …. Regina the mother of Ian the GodKing. Continue to shine bright, my guiding light.”
Ian was following in his father’s musical footsteps and was a deejay. Speaking of her son in the past, King told PEOPLE that he was “an amazing young man.” For years, King called her son her biggest source of pride.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You are not on your own.
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