Regina King: My Favorite Role Is Being a Mother to Late Son Ian
In an interview with “Good Morning America,” Regina King spoke about her favorite role, which has been that of being a mother to her late son Ian Alexander Jr. The conversation was the actress’s first public appearance since the tragic loss of her 26-year-old son, who passed away due to suicide in January 2022.
A Dedication and a Transformation
King expressed that she has dedicated her upcoming film, “Shirley,” about activist and politician Shirley Chisholm, to her late son. She revealed that her loss has significantly transformed her.
“I Am a Different Person Now”
“Grief is a journey,” King shared with “GMA’s” Robin Roberts, emphasizing that she has become a different person since January 19, the day before her son died. She acknowledged that grief is an expression of deep love.
Remembering Ian in His Entirety
“I want to honor Ian in the totality of who he was,” she said, using the present tense to speak about her son because “he is always with me.”
Depression: Beyond What People Expect
“When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way and to be heavy,” King explained. She paused as tears began to flow, sharing her feelings about the inability to sit with Ian’s decision and the difficulty others may have understanding his experience.
“The Sadness Will Never Go Away”
“I know that I share this grief with everyone, but no one else is Ian’s mom,” she continued. “The sadness will never go away; it’ll always be with me.”
A Bond Unbroken by Death
King shared that she and Ian were inseparable. She wore orange, his favorite color, to the recent Academy Awards in honor of her beloved son.
“My Favorite Thing About Myself: Being Ian’s Mom”
“My favorite thing about myself is being Ian’s mom,” she said, expressing the profound love and emotion behind those words.
Respecting the Journey
“I can’t do that if I don’t respect the journey,” she concluded, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and honoring her son’s life and his choice.
If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling
Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 to connect with a trained counselor, or visit the 988 Lifeline Website for more resources and support.
