Regina King has honored her late son by learning to ‘live in the moment.’
The actress, 54, admitted that her entire approach to life has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic and the death of her son Ian Alexander Jr., who died by suicide in January 2022. He was 26.
‘Now, I understand that sadness and happiness can be happening at the same time,’ she said told Haute Living Los Angeles for its August/September issue.
The Oscar winner explained how she has changed her approach to life in the three years since the tragedy. King shared her son with ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr.
In announcing Ian Jr’s death, she described him as ‘such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others.’
Now three years after losing her son, King said, ‘I one thousand percent live in the moment more.’
Regina King, 54, has honored her late son by learning to ‘live in the moment,’ three years after his death. ‘I one thousand percent live in the moment more’ she told Haute Living Los Angeles; Pictured in Los Angeles in November 2019
‘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,’ she explained.
King, who will next be seen in Caught Stealing, debuting August 29, said she has found various ways of keeping Ian’s memory alive, including launching her new orange wine brand, MianU (pronounced me and you.)
‘It was lan who first introduced me to orange wine. Its playful and complex flavors capture his taste and talent for transforming everyday moments into something exceptional,’ she wrote on social media, introducing the new enterprise.
She explained the product was ‘Inspired by lan’s deep love for art, flavor, and the people around him, I created a wine that celebrates the beauty of connection.’
‘His art, his creativity — it’s all in there,’ she told the magazine.
‘It was kind of an epiphany I had that came from a place of continuing to create memories in Ian’s spirit.’
As her friends move forward with milestones in their own families, King said she still loves to talk about her son.
Ian, whom she shared with ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr, died by suicide in January 2022 at age 26. She called him ‘such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others’; Pictured in Pasadena, CA in February 2014
King has launched a new wine brand, MianU (Me-and-You,) in Ian’s memory and thinks of him when she pours a glass. ‘Always in this moment, I can see his face,’ she said
‘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 Shirley star revealed she is reminded of her son whenever she drinks a glass of MianU.
‘I’m thinking of him 24/7 anyway, but always in this moment, I can see his face,’ she said.
‘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.’
King’s friends and fans have rallied around her to support this new endeavor.
The actress said she loves to talk about her son. ‘I just don’t have the chance to create new memories… But I’m not focused on that. This is my way of creating something new, together’; Pictured in New York City August 13
‘”This is a great legacy,”’ wrote director Ava Duvernay after seeing a promotional video of King sharing the wine with friends on Instagram. ‘Yes and amen. We love you, Sister. Thank you.’
‘I ordered mine and what an amazing way to love on Ian and honor him sis. I love you and I love this!!!!!’ exclaimed Tisha Campbell Martin.
‘Ian would have loved this,’ wrote WNBA star Lisa Leslie. ‘Just bought my 4pack sis ❤️ U deeply!!!’
‘I don’t even drink wine, but plan to support you on this, as a mom,’ wrote a fan, adding, ‘You’ve been my FAVE since 227. Much love to you, beautiful.’