Regina King is opening up about how her life has changed since the death of her only son, Ian Alexander Jr.
In an upcoming interview on Good Morning America, the 53-year-old Oscar winner marks two years since Ian’s passing, sharing that “grief is a journey.”
Speaking with Robin Roberts, King reveals that her upcoming film, Shirley, is dedicated to her late son. A preview clip shows Roberts asking King, “What have these last two years been like for you?”
Ian died by suicide in January 2022, just after turning 26. He was King’s only child, whom she shared with her ex-husband, record producer Ian Alexander Sr.
“I’m a different person now than I was on Jan. 19,” King shares. “I am.”
King reflects on her relationship with grief over the past couple of years, saying, “Grief is a journey. I understand that.”
“Grief is love that has no place to go,” she adds. “And that we all handle it differently.”
Last year, King honoured her late son on his birthday and the first anniversary of his death with a message on Instagram.
“January 19th is Ian’s Worthday. As we still process his physical absence, we celebrate his presence,” she wrote. “We are all in different places on the planet…so is Ian. His spirit is the thread that connects us.”
King continued, “Of course, orange is your favourite colour… It’s the fire and the calm. I see you in everything I breathe. My absolute favourite thing about myself is being… Regina, the mother of Ian the GodKing.”
“Continue to shine bright, my guiding light,” she added in the tribute.
In a statement following news of her son’s death, King, who stars as Shirley Chisholm in the film Shirley, said, “Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. He is such a bright light who cares so deeply about the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you.”