Actress Regina King, known for her Oscar-winning roles and directorial work, has shared deeply personal reflections on the death of her only son, Ian Alexander Jr., who died by suicide in January 2022 at age 26. Speaking with candor, she revealed how grief has reshaped her life and how she continues to preserve Ian’s memory through creative and heartfelt means.
Regian King Used Grief as Transformation
In a recent feature for Haute Living, King said, “I one thousand percent live in the moment more.” She attributed this shift to a blend of pain, time, and the isolating effects of the pandemic.
On Good Morning America in 2024, she described grief as “love that has no place to go.” She has chosen to speak of Ian in the present tense, saying he is “always with me” and recalling “the joy and happiness that he gave all of us.”
Honoring Ian Through Connection
King launched an orange wine named MianU—short for “me and you”—as a tribute to her son’s spirit. He was the one who introduced her to orange wine, and his handwriting adorns the label. “Every time a cork opens… I’m thinking of Ian,” she said. “If you see me, you see Ian.”
In a Parade interview, she added that she sometimes reads Ian’s journals “because I don’t want to ever finish reading his journals.” She recalled seeing the letter “M,” drawn by him, that ultimately became part of the bottle’s label—a symbol she felt he would have loved.
Unfiltered Emotions and Lingering Guilt
King also spoke candidly about the enduring pain she feels. In her GMA appearance, she admitted that “sometimes… a lot of guilt comes over me,” pondering, “What could I have done so that wouldn’t have happened?”
She discussed her anger toward God: “Why would that weight be given to Ian?” She recalled going through therapy and psychiatric programs, only to hear Ian say, “I’m tired of talking, Mom.”
As the only person who could say, “I’m Ian’s mom,” she noted that “the sadness will never go away… it’ll always be with me.” Still, she finds solace in memories and small “Ian-spirations” that remind her of his presence.
A Mother’s Devotion Beyond Loss
King remains devoted to honoring Ian’s life in full. She acknowledged depression’s complexity, noting that “people expect it to look heavy,” while Ian’s struggle often was not visible. This realization shaped her ability to “understand and respect” his choices—and to continue honoring the joy he brought.