Regina King Opens Up About How Son’s Death Changed Her Perspective On Life
Regina King is opening up about how the death of her son Ian has transformed her perspective on life. The acclaimed actress says the event has led her to be more present and even inspired a meaningful entrepreneurial venture.
In her new Haute Living cover story, the Shirely actress said,
“I think in life, it’s harder and harder to have those meaningful moments. And that’s why, when I have them now, they feel even more special. We have them less and less as time goes on, and we have to work harder to have them.” When speaking about how she lives differently now while carrying grief, she said, “I one thousand percent live in the moment more. I don’t know if that’s something that just comes with time, or with pain, or with the pandemic — probably all of it. But I feel it.”
Her son Ian died by suicide in January 2022 at the age of 26. He was her only child and she shared him with her ex-husband, Ian Alexander Sr..
The Oscar-winning actress is focused on keeping her son’s memory alive in her life, most recently in the form of an orange wine. Her newly launched brand is named MianU — short for “me and you” — and was inspired by the wine Ian introduced her to.
“It was kind of an epiphany I had that came from a place of continuing to create memories in Ian’s spirit. I’m still here, on this plane, separate from him, and I’m surrounded by people talking about their children — engagements, weddings, new chapters — [while mine is gone],” she told the outlet. “I still love talking about Ian: I just don’t have the chance to create new memories in the way they do. But I’m not focused on that. This is my way of creating something new, together.”
The wine is deeply meaningful to her because it reminds her of her son constantly, with each and every moment. “Every time a cork opens, or every time I’m pouring a glass, I’m thinking of Ian. I’m thinking of him 24/7 anyway, but always in this moment, I can see his face. And for people who never got the chance to dance with Ian, maybe they’ll be curious. Maybe they’ll ask. His name is right there, in the middle of it all. He’ll never be forgotten… If you see me, you see Ian,” she said.
Another way the Boondocks talent also aims to keep her son with her at all times is by intentionally speaking “about him in the present, because he’s always with me,” and remembering “the joy and happiness that he gave all of us.”
To shop MianU wines, head to their official site and view King’s announcement here.
