Regina King feels like a “different person” as her grief evolves after the death of her only son.
The actor has reflected on her grieving since her son Ian Alexander Jr — her only child with ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr. — died by suicide on Jan. 19, 2022 just after turning 26. King explained how “grief is a journey.”
“Oh wow. I’m a different person now than I was on Jan. 19. I am,” she said on “Good Morning America.”
And King pointed out that everyone copes “differently” with loss and grief.
“Grief is a journey. I understand that. Grief is love that has no place to go. And that we all handle it differently,” she added.
In January 2023, King marked a year since her son’s death, calling it its “Worthday.”
“As we still process his physical absence, we celebrate his presence,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “We are all in different places on the planet … so is Ian. His spirit is the thread that connects us.”
The One Night in Miami director admitted she still sees her son in “everything” and being his mother still brings her immense pride.
“If course orange is your favorite color … It’s the fire and the calm. I see you in everything I breath,” she continued in the Instagram post.
“My absolute favorite thing about myself is being … Regina the mother of Ian the GodKing … Continue to shine bright, my guiding light,” King added.
When her son died, the Shirley actor revealed her family was “devastated at the deepest level” by the news, as she described her son as “such a bright light.”
“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,” King said in a statement. “Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you.”
