Oscar-winning actress Regina King is speaking out for the first time about her son’s death over two years ago.
King sat down with Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts for an exclusive interview and shared how her late son, Ian Alexander Jr., who died by suicide in January 2022 at the age of 26, is still an influence on her.
When asked what these last two years have been like for her, King said, “Grief is a journey.”
“I’m a different person, you know, now than I was Jan. 19,” the Academy Award winner told Roberts. “Grief is a journey, you know? I understand that grief is love that has no place to go.”
King said her late son struggled with his mental health.
“When it comes to depression, people expect it to look a certain way and they expect it to look heavy,” King told Roberts.
She said she respects and understands the choice her son ultimately made. “[H]e 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 explained.
As a mom, King said seeing Ian with his struggles still made her “so angry with God.”
“I was so angry with God. You know, why would that weight be given to Ian?” King said.
“With all of the things that we had gone through with the therapy, with psychiatrists and programs and Ian was like, ‘I’m tired of talking, Mom,'” she recalled.
Two years after her son’s death, King admits she still struggles with acceptance.
“When a parent loses a child, you still wonder, ‘What could I have done so that wouldn’t have happened?'” she said.
If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or by visiting 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Music notes: Taylor Swift, Bazzi and more
April 26, 2024
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department has scored the biggest opening of an album in the U.K.…
‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy coming back to theaters
April 26, 2024
'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' - New Line/WireImagePeter Jackson's…
Kevin Spacey claps back after ‘Spacey Unmasked’ documentary trailer debuts
April 26, 2024
Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty ImagesThe trailer to Spacey Unmasked, a documentary about Kevin Spacey from…
Doja Cat’s message to parents: Keep your kids away from my concerts
April 26, 2024
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for CoachellaPlenty of artists who have young fans don't seem to have…
New Music Friday: The Chainsmokers, Jason Derulo and more
April 26, 2024
It's New Music Friday, and The Chainsmokers are taking it literally. They've just released a new…
Ryan Gosling sings again in new ‘Fall Guy’ stuntman tribute
April 26, 2024
Disney/Scott KirklandRyan Gosling apparently hasn't let his pipes cool down since his "I'm Just…
Jelly Roll says he left social media for more reasons than “bullying”
April 26, 2024
Disney/Eric McCandlessIn the April 24 episode of her podcast Dumb Blonde, Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie…
Lori Loughlin gives first interview following college admissions scandal
April 26, 2024
Loughlin on 'Curb' -- HBO/John JohnsonWhile she didn't mention the college admission scandal that…