Actress Regina King is bidding 2024 farewell with a touching tribute to her late son.
The Oscar-winning actress and standout star of Netflix’s “The Harder They Fall” compiled a special Instagram post on Christmas Day to honor Ian Alexander, Jr., a recording artist and King’s only child.
Alexander sadly took his own life in January 2022.
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Regina King’s ‘Perfect’ Tribute To Her Son
Using Alexander’s profession as a music artist for inspiration, King went on to share seven of her favorite albums from the past yr on the social media app.
In a caption on her Instagram post, the “Shirley” star explained that the variety of albums held special significance to herself and her late son.
“As we close out the yr, I desired to share my seven favorite albums of 2024,” King wrote.
“Why 7?” she continued. “Because seven is Ian’s favorite number and the variety of completion – an ideal strategy to reflect on the past yr’s highlights.”
A few of her selections included Kendrick Lamar’s recent “GNX,” Tyler the Creator’s “Chromakopia,” Willow Smith’s “Empathogen,” and the soundtrack to the biblical comedy, “The Book of Clarence.”
King closed out her post with a warm holiday greeting.
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“Wishing you and your families the religion to imagine, the energy to create, and the like to sustain a peaceful and joyous holiday season. May that faith, love, and joy carry through into the brand new yr and beyond.”
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The Tragic Loss Of Regina King’s Son, Ian Alexander, Jr. And Its Aftermath
On January 21, 2022, the entertainment world was rocked by the sudden passing of King’s son, Ian Alexander, Jr., at just 26 years old.
Writers for Love B. Scott, an entertainment blog, were the primary to report the sad news with a post many felt was insensitive, especially as King herself had not spoken on the matter.
A backlash ensued and the post was ultimately removed.
At some point later, King would release a statement via her representative confirming the tragic news.
“Our family is devastated on the deepest level by the lack of Ian,” it read.
“He’s such a shiny light who cared so deeply in regards to the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time.”
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Together with being a recording artist, Alexander was also a disc jockey. He often performed under the stage name, Desduné.
Lower than two weeks before his passing, he released his final single, “Green Eyes.”
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King Finds Her Way Back To Acting After Losing Her Son
Following her loss, King would take a two-year break from the acting world.
She would slowly re-enter the highlight in early 2024 with “Shirley,” a Netflix production based on the lifetime of the primary Black woman candidate for Vice President, Shirley Chisholm.
In a “Good Morning America” interview that aired in March, King would open up on the lack of Alexander and the way it affected her moving forward.
“I’m a special person now than I used to be January nineteenth,” she told Robin Roberts, bringing up Ian’s actual date of death.
“I understand that grief is love that has no place to go. I do know that it is vital to me to honor Ian within the totality of who he’s, discuss him in the current because he’s at all times with me. The enjoyment and happiness that he gave all of us.”
Though time would allow her to process Ian’s alternative, King admitted that doing so didn’t really easy.
“I respect and understand that he didn’t need to be here anymore,” the actress shared, “and that is a tough thing for other people to receive, because they didn’t live our experience, [or] live Ian’s journey. I used to be so indignant with God. Why would that weight be given to Ian?”
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A Heartfelt Moment Between King And Jimmy Kimmel Brought Everyone To Tears
One week after her GMA sit down, King would visit “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to advertise “Shirley.”
The talk show host, known for his wit and sarcasm, as an alternative greeted the actress with grace as he asked her how she was feeling at that exact moment.
With a real smile, she responded, “Straight away, I’m good.”
Kimmel then tried to acknowledge King’s tough yr but got choked up along the best way. This could lead the actress to succeed in for his hand.
“It’s good to see you, Jimmy,” she continued.
After a moment, he responded, “It’s good to see you, too.”
King Stays ‘Proud’ To Be ‘Ian’s Mom’
While speaking with Roberts, King stated that she had grown uninterested in specializing in Ian’s passing and as an alternative, desired to have fun the time she had with him.
“My favorite thing about myself is being Ian’s Mom,” she noted, continuing, “I know that it is vital to me to honor Ian within the totality of who he’s, discuss him in the current because he’s at all times with me. The enjoyment and happiness that he gave all of us.”
