Regina King talks about her grief after son’s death
Summary
TLDRIn a heartfelt interview, actress Regina King opens up about her new film 'Shirley,' which chronicles Shirley Chisholm's historic presidential run, and her personal journey of healing after the tragic loss of her son, Ian. King reflects on the importance of discussing mental health and the profound impact her son's life and death have had on her. The conversation highlights King's resilience and her dedication to honoring her son's legacy.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Regina King stars in the new biopic 'Shirley,' which chronicles Shirley Chisholm's historic run for president.
- 🏆 This is Regina King's first TV interview since the tragic passing of her son, Ian, two years ago.
- 🎬 King's return to the screen highlights her career, from her breakout role in '227' to her Oscar-winning performance in 'If Beale Street Could Talk'.
- 🚀 The journey to tell Shirley Chisholm's story took 15 years, with King acknowledging she wasn't ready to play the role earlier.
- 👭 Regina's sister Raina co-produces the film and plays a key role, emphasizing the importance of sharing Shirley Chisholm's legacy.
- 🏛️ Shirley Chisholm was the first black woman to run for president in 1972, and the film aims to inspire young people to engage in politics.
- 💔 Regina King dedicated the film to her son Ian, who passed away by suicide in January 2022.
- 😔 King openly discusses her grief journey, recognizing that grief is love with nowhere to go and the importance of honoring Ian's life and choices.
- 🌈 Despite her loss, King finds strength in her role as a mother, acknowledging that being Ian's mom is her favorite thing about herself.
- 🎥 The film 'Shirley' is set to release in select theaters on March 19th and globally on Netflix on March 22nd.
- 🙏 Regina King's interview and the film 'Shirley' serve as a testament to resilience, the power of representation, and the importance of mental health awareness.
Q & A
Who is the actress featured in the GMA coverage story?
-The actress featured in the GMA coverage story is Regina King.
Which movie is Regina King starring in that is mentioned in the interview?
-Regina King is starring in the movie 'Shirley', which is about Shirley Chisholm's historic run for president.
What significant personal event in Regina King's life occurred two years prior to the interview?
-Two years prior to the interview, Regina King experienced the sudden death of her beloved son, Ian.
How has Regina King been healing after her son's passing?
-Regina King has been healing by understanding that grief is a journey and recognizing that grief is love that has no place to go. She also honors her son by speaking about him in the present tense, acknowledging his joy and happiness, as well as his struggles with mental health.
What is Regina King's favorite thing about herself?
-Regina King's favorite thing about herself is being Ian's mom.
How did Regina King prepare for her role as Shirley Chisholm in the biopic?
-Regina King prepared for her role by acknowledging that she wasn't ready to play Shirley 15 years ago and that she needed to live more life to fully understand and portray the character.
What was the significance of the 1972 political rise of Shirley Chisholm that the film chronicles?
-The film chronicles Shirley Chisholm's political rise in 1972 when she became the first black woman to run for president.
What was the impact of Ian's passing on Regina King's perspective towards life and acting?
-Ian's passing has made Regina King a different person, with a deeper understanding of grief and love. It has also influenced her approach to acting, as she dedicates her performances to her son's memory.
How does Regina King feel about the public's response to her return to the screen?
-Regina King is appreciative of the public's support and well-wishes, but she also acknowledges the difficulty of hearing phrases like 'be strong' from well-intentioned people, as simply getting out of bed and continuing to live is an act of strength in itself.
What are 'e Inspirations' as mentioned by Regina King?
-'e Inspirations' are moments or occurrences that remind Regina King of her son Ian, named in his honor. These can be instances where someone unknowingly says something that her son knew or situations that trigger memories of him.
When and where can viewers expect to see the movie 'Shirley'?
-The movie 'Shirley' will be in select theaters on Friday and will be available globally on Netflix on March 22nd.
Outlines
🌟 Regina King's Return to the Spotlight
This paragraph focuses on actress Regina King's return to the public eye after a personal tragedy. It discusses her first TV interview since the death of her son, Ian, and her role in the new movie 'Shirley,' which tells the story of Shirley Chisholm's historic run for president. King shares her journey of healing, the legacy of her son, and her preparation for the role of Shirley Chisholm, highlighting the 15-year process of bringing the story to screen. The paragraph also touches on the importance of the film's release during an election year and its potential to inspire young people to engage in politics.
😔 Coping with Loss: Regina King's Personal Struggle
In this paragraph, Regina King opens up about her grief and the journey of coping with the loss of her son, Ian, who passed away by suicide. She discusses the complexity of emotions that come with being a mother to a child who has died, the guilt of 'what ifs,' and the concept of 'happy sorrow.' King also reflects on the public's response to her loss and the importance of acknowledging the strength it takes just to carry on with daily life after such a loss. Additionally, she talks about the inspiration she draws from her son and how she feels his presence in her life.
🎥 'Shirley': A Film's Timely Release
This paragraph emphasizes the timely release of the film 'Shirley' and its significance in today's political climate. It highlights the importance of sharing Shirley Chisholm's story and the impact it can have on viewers, particularly young people. The paragraph also touches on Regina King's readiness to discuss her son and the film, her appreciation for the public's support, and the wisdom she has gained from her experiences. The paragraph concludes with information about the film's release in select theaters and on Netflix globally.
🌞 GMA's Gratitude and Farewell
This final paragraph serves as a closing remark from GMA, expressing gratitude to the viewers for watching and subscribing to their YouTube channel. It invites the audience to continue engaging with their content for more exciting videos and updates from GMA.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Regina King
💡Shirley Chisholm
💡Grief
💡Mental Health
💡Suicide
💡Resilience
💡Biopic
💡Political Rise
💡Unbought and Unbossed
💡Public Support
💡Inspirational
Highlights
Actress Regina King discusses her role in the biopic 'Shirley' about Shirley Chisholm's historic run for president.
This is Regina King's first TV interview since the tragic death of her son, Ian.
Regina King has been a versatile talent in Hollywood for nearly 40 years, known for humanizing complex characters.
The 15-year journey to tell Shirley Chisholm's story reflects the actress's growth and readiness to portray such a significant figure.
Regina King's sister, Raina, co-produces and plays a key role in the film, highlighting the family's involvement.
The film 'Shirley' aims to inspire young people to engage with the political process and honor Shirley Chisholm's legacy.
Regina King's son, Ian, passed away by suicide in January 2022, and she dedicated the film to him.
The actress shares her journey of grief and the importance of honoring Ian's life and legacy.
Regina King's candid discussion about her son's mental health and the impact of depression.
The profound personal impact of her son's passing, and how it has changed her perspective on life.
Regina King's emotional connection to her son, recognizing his presence in her life and events.
The actress's struggle with acceptance and the guilt that often accompanies the loss of a child.
Regina King's reflection on the phrase 'happy sorrow' and its significance in her grieving process.
The importance of the words 'unbought' and 'unbossed' in describing Shirley Chisholm's legacy and Regina's own approach to life.
Regina King's readiness to return to the public eye and discuss both her film and her son's legacy.
The film 'Shirley' is set to release in select theaters and on Netflix globally, marking a significant moment for Regina King's career and the Chisholm legacy.
Transcripts
we're going to turn now to our GMA
coverage story I had the privilege of
sitting down with actress Regina King
who stars in the powerful new movie
Shirley about Shirley chism's historic
run for president Regina's return to the
screen and to the public comes two years
after the sudden death of her beloved
Son Ian this is her first TV interview
since that tragedy we talked about her
son's Legacy how she's been healing and
what she calls her favorite thing being
Ian's mom
for nearly 40 years she's reigned as one
of Hollywood's most versatile talents
that plane does not take off unless
we're both on it got it from her
breakout role in the 80s sitcom 227 to
her Oscar winning performance in if
beill Street could talk do you think I
came here to make you suffer Regina King
is known for humanizing complex
characters if I can't get the nomination
I can still get delegates including her
latest role starring in the biopic
Shirley how did you prepare to play
Shirley Chisum it's been a 15-year
Journey since we were going to tell
Shirley's story to now it actually
happening and I think 15 years ago I
wasn't ready to play Shirley I may have
thought that I was then but I wasn't
ready I needed to live more life Regina
is joined by her sister Raina who
co-produces and plays a key role in the
film that Chronicles Shirley chism's
political rise in
1972 as she becomes the first black
woman to run for president we felt like
there were so many people who did not
know who Shirley Chisum is who she was
who she is and that bugged us when
you're a first when when you set out to
do something that no one else has done
before there's no example of that for
you that's a lonely road to travel
yeah and it just so happens to be an
election year yeah we were like no it
needs to live and be in the space now um
so that if it's going to inspire anyone
especially young people to be involved
with the political process then we've
done something right and we've also
honored Shirley and we've um we'
followed through with what
Shirley is has unbought and boss for the
last couple of years Regina has been
taking much needed time away in January
of 2022 her Dear Son Ian tragically
passing away by Suicide you dedicated
the film to your beloved Ian youran what
has this time span these last two years
been like for you oh wow
um you know um I'm I'm I'm a different
person you know uh now than I was um
January
19th um I
[Music]
am grief is is is a journey you know I I
understand that um grief is love that
has no place to go I know that it's
important to
me
to honor Ian
in the
totality of of who he is speak about him
in the present because he is always with
me and the joy and happiness that he
gave all of us but behind that joy and
happiness Ian's mental health took a
toll when it comes
to um
depression that people expected to look
a certain way and they expected to look
look heavy
and um people expect that
um it's okay to have to experience this
and not be able to um have the um time
to just sit with Ian's Choice which I
respect and understand you know that he
didn't want to be here anymore and
that's a um a hard thing for other
people
to uh receive because they did not live
um our experience um did not live Ian's
journey I think a lot of people a lot of
people are going to appreciate that you
said it was his
choice and that you recognize that I was
so angry with God you know that why
would why
would that weight be given to Ian you
know of all of the things that we had
gone through with the therapy psych
psych with psychiatrists and programs
and and he just Ian was like I'm tired
of talking fing mom my favorite thing
about myself is being Ian's mom and I
can't say
that with a smile with tears with all of
the emotion that comes with that I can't
do that um if I did not um respect the
journey they close Bond always on full
display at Regina's Red Carpet Events I
I thought about him when you were on the
stage at the Oscars cuz you were wearing
orange that's his favorite color yes I
remember he used to escort you yeah to
so are there moments where he was always
there with you
physically that not not as a trigger but
is it oh it's a trigger is it absolutely
absolutely so sometimes it'll trigger um
just laughter most times um as of recent
it it triggers a smile um but sometimes
um
the absence his absence is really loud
Regina admits she still struggles with
acceptance sometimes you know it's a lot
of guilt
um comes over me when a parent loses a
child you still wonder what could I have
done to so that wouldn't have happened I
know that I
share this grief with um everyone but no
one else is Ian's mom you know only me
and so
um it's mine and the the sadness uh will
never go away it'll always be with me
and I think I saw um somewhere
uh the sadness is a reminder of how much
he means to me you know
happy sorrow is what my mother used to
call it happy
sorrow you said um something that
Shirley Chism what are the two words
unbought and
unbossed so what are two words for your
M to get what what would be your two
words I don't know that I can two
words I had two words for you do you Ian
Mom that's the first thought that came
to my mind I know you that's the first
thought that came to my mind but I was
like okay let me come up with something
more profound let me that's what I was
trying to but that was the first thought
that came to my mind that's all right
Ian's mom yeah she is she's such a
special special human being and she said
that often that she will feel his
presence or something will be said
somebody that she didn't know that her
son knew will say something and she
calls those her e Inspirations e
Inspirations named after her son but for
her to be able to find the strength at
this at this point um to sit down and
she was very we talked over the weekend
when she was at the Oscars and she said
I'm ready to talk uh you know this this
film that I'm doing is is very important
I know people want to talk about that I
want to be able to talk about my son I'm
not going to make him a poster child for
what's going on I want to talk about it
once and then but I love that thought
that he's always with her yeah yes yes
and so many wise Revelations I mean my
mouth was just open listening to the
wisdom come from her and she did say
something and and and I was telling
Rebecca about it and I wanted to come
out right she she is so appreciative of
the public and when she was at the Oscar
people were hitting her up on Instagram
like oh you're back they were great to
see her she said it's wonderful that
people and they have they're well
intended they're well they're they're
good intentions but she said when you
say to somebody who's lost a child or
gone that be strong she said getting out
of the bed is being strong you don't
need to say that to someone just
breathing just walking just being is
being strong yeah really beautiful and
surely I'm telling you it is a terrific
film it's in Select theaters Friday and
on Netflix globally on March 22nd well
hey there GMA fans Robin Roberts here
thanks for checking out our YouTube
channel lots of great stuff here so go
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