Share this @internewscast.com

Actor and director Regina King said she’s a “different person” and at times still feels “guilt” following her son’s death by suicide two years ago, but she’s dedicated to honoring his legacy and “the totality of who he is.”

“I’m a different person, you know, now than I was Jan. 19,” the 53-year-old Oscar-winner said in an interview that aired on “Good Morning America” Thursday. “Grief is a journey. I understand that grief is love that has no place to go.”

It was her first time opening up about her son Ian Alexander Jr.’s death by suicide in January 2022 at the age of 26. 

“It’s important to me to honor Ian in the totality of who he is, speak about him in the present because he is always with me, the joy and happiness that he gave all of us,” the “If Beale Street Could Talk” actor and “One Night in Miami” director explained to GMA host Robin Roberts. 

King explained that her son struggled with his mental health, and that she “respects” his choice.

“When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way and they expect it to look heavy,” King said. “And people expect that … to have to experience this and not be able to have the time to just sit with Ian’s choice, which I respect and understand, you know, that he didn’t wanna be here anymore.”

“That’s a hard thing for other people to receive because they did not live our experience, did not live Ian’s journey,” she said.

But acceptance hasn’t always been an easy road.

“Sometimes it’s a lot of guilt comes over me. When a parent loses a child you still wonder, what could I have done so that wouldn’t have happened?” she said.

Initially after her son’s death, King said, “I was so angry with God, why would that weight be given to Ian?” 

“Of all of the things that we had gone through with the therapy, psychiatrists, programs. Ian was just like ‘I’m tired of talking Mom,’” she continued.

King said her favorite thing about herself “is being Ian’s mom.”

“And I can’t say that with a smile, with tears, with all of the emotions that come with that, I can’t do that if I did not respect the journey,” she said.

“I know that I share this grief with everyone, but no one else is Ian’s mom. Only me. And so, it’s mine and the sadness will never go away. It’ll always be with me,” she added.

King said there are moments she still feels her son’s presence. 

“Sometimes it’ll trigger just laughter. Most times, as of recent, it triggers a smile. But sometimes the absence, his absence, is really loud.”

Ian is King’s only child, shared with her ex-husband, record producer Ian Alexander Sr.

King said she has dedicated her latest film “Shirley,” to her son. She also wore orange, Ian’s favorite color, at Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.

“Shirley,” directed by John Ridley, tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and follows her 1972 presidential campaign, the first launched by a Black woman.

The film will open in select theaters Friday and premiere on Netflix on March 22.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
North Korea launches short-range ballistic missiles into sea, South Korea says

South Korea Reports North Korea’s Launch of Short-Range Ballistic Missiles into the Ocean

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles into the eastern sea on…
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to wed at ‘breathtaking open-air theater on charming Venetian isle’

AMAZON founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sanchez are reportedly getting…
Vladimir Putin reviewing documents with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Putin Given 24-Hour Deadline to Sign 30-Day Ukraine Ceasefire, Risking Major Sanctions from US and Europe

VLADIMIR Putin has 24 hours to sign up to an unconditional 30…
Mets prospect Jonah Tong leads way in combined perfect game

Mets Prospect Jonah Tong Shines in a Combined Perfect Game Performance

The Mets outrageously robbed one of their own top prospects of perfection.…
Trump halts military strikes on Houthis but expert warns Iran-backed terrorist group remains major threat

Trump Stops Military Actions Against Houthis, but Expert Cautions About Ongoing Threat From Iran-Backed Terrorists

President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced this week that the United States will…
Over the shoulder view of child (8-9) using a pencil to practice handwriting the letters of the alphabet in cursive script

Could Teaching Cursive Improve Children’s Reading Skills? Some Experts Believe It’s Worth Exploring

Recently, my 8-year-old son received a birthday card from his grandmother. When…
Menendez brothers' resentencing moves forward as DA calls out 'deceit, 'narcissistic tendencies' in prison

Progress in Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing as DA Highlights ‘Deceit’ and ‘Narcissistic Behaviors’ in Prison

The saga of Lyle and Erik Menendez potentially experiencing freedom outside the…
House Republicans Release Portions of Trump's Desired 'Big, Beautiful Bill'—Here's What We Know

House Republicans Unveil Parts of Trump’s Long-Awaited ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’—Key Details Inside

Trump has said all along that he wants to make his 2017…
Bryan Kohberger allegedly searched pictures of female students, some were close to alleged victims

Bryan Kohberger Accused of Viewing Photos of Female Students, Including Those Near Alleged Victims

Bryan Kohberger is accused of searching for images of female students on…
Pope Leo XIV calls this a challenge to 'human dignity' in first address to cardinals

In his inaugural address to the cardinals, Pope Leo XIV describes it as a threat to ‘human dignity.’

During his initial address as Pope, Leo XIV delivered a stirring message…
Chicago City Council members aim to give financial watchdog boost amid clash over Chicago budget

Chicago City Council Plans to Strengthen Financial Oversight in Budget Dispute

CHICAGO (WLS) — The clash over Chicago’s 2025 budget left many alderpersons…
Authorities arrest over 100 people on Tennessee roads in support of Trump's deportation plan

Tennessee Authorities Arrest Over 100 People in Support of Trump’s Deportation Plan

In Nashville, Tennessee, over 100 individuals have been apprehended by federal immigration…