Regina King Reflects On Grief And Honors Son’s Legacy In Emotional Interview: “The Sadness Will Never Go Away”
Regina King recently sat down with Robin Roberts for a heartfelt interview on Good Morning America, where she candidly shared her journey of grief following the tragic loss of her son, Ian Alexander Jr., two years ago.
Ian, Regina’s only child whom she shared with ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr., passed away by suicide in January 2022, just after his 26th birthday. In her conversation with Robin, Regina expressed the lingering guilt she grapples with, questioning if there was more she could have done to prevent his untimely death.
“When a parent loses a child, you still wonder, ‘What could I have done so that wouldn’t have happened?’” she said.
Reflecting on Ian’s choice, Regina emphasized her respect and understanding for his decision, acknowledging the complexity of his journey and the difficulty for others to comprehend.
In her words, ”I respect and understand that he didn’t want to be here anymore. And that’s a hard thing for other people to receive, because they did not live our experience, did not live Ian’s journey.”
She emphasized the importance of honoring Ian’s memory and the joy he brought into their lives, saying, “It’s important to me to honor Ian the totality of who he is — I speak about him in the present, because he is always with me. And the joy and happiness that he gave all of us.”
Addressing the misconceptions surrounding depression, the Shirley star highlighted that it doesn’t always manifest in obvious ways, challenging societal expectations. Despite her initial anger towards God and questioning the weight placed on Ian, she recognized the limitations of therapy and interventions in addressing Ian’s struggles.
Regina revealed that being Ian’s mother is her most cherished identity, despite the profound sadness that accompanies it. She spoke of the moments where Ian’s presence is palpable, sometimes evoking laughter but often leaving a void.
The Oscar winner acknowledged that she has been irrevocably changed by Ian’s passing, embracing grief as a journey fueled by love with no outlet. She emphasized the uniqueness of her experience as Ian’s mother, acknowledging that while the sadness may never dissipate, it serves as a testament to the depth of their bond.
“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…And I think I saw somewhere, ‘The sadness is a reminder of how much he means to me,’ you know? Happy sorrow,” she said.
