Regina King’s First Project Since Son’s Death Revealed
Fans of actor Regina King have been sending her well wishes in the aftermath of her son’s unexpected death. The Oscar-winning actor hasn’t spoken publicly since making the announcement. However, she’s set to make an appearance in a major way this spring.
King will co-chair the 2022 Met Gala
Madame Noire reports that the Poetic Justice star will serve as a co-chair at this year’s Met Gala. King will co-chair alongside Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, as well as Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. King is one of the filmmakers who will have cinematic vignettes featured in this year’s exhibit.
The Met Gala is set to be a big one, as it is every year as the hottest ticket in town. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the 2020 gala was canceled and didn’t take place until September 2021. This year’s event will be held in New York City on the first Monday in May, per its typical standard practice.
The featured exhibit at this year’s fundraiser will be “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” It’s a follow-up to last year’s “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” theme. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute presents the Met Gala.
As with every year, the event organizers set the theme and dress code. This time around, it will be Gilded Glamour, per New York Times fashion director Vanessa Friedman.
Regina King’s son Ian Alexander Jr. died earlier this year
King has been off the radar as she mourns the loss of her one and only child, a son, Ian Alexander Jr. In January 2022, King revealed in a statement to People that he died by suicide just days after his 26th birthday.
“Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,” Regina King said of her son. “He is such a bright light who cared so deeply about the happiness of others. Our family asks for respectful consideration during this private time. Thank you.”
His death was confirmed to be a suicide by the Los Angeles County Coroner. King had Ian with her ex-husband, music executive Ian Alexander Sr. He followed in his parents’ footsteps, dabbling in several entertainment areas, including culinary arts and becoming a disc jockey and a music artist in his own right. He’d been promoting his first album on social media ahead of his death.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor at the free Crisis Text Line.
