Regina King Makes 1st Red Carpet Appearance at Filming Italy Festival Nearly 5 Months After Son Ian Alexander Jr.’s Death
12.06.2022 - 18:43
/ usmagazine.com
Regina King made her first red carpet appearance nearly five months after her son, Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide.
King, 51, walked the carpet at Filming Italy Festival in Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy on Friday, June 10. The Academy Award winner stepped out in a sleeveless white gown and matching heels. She also wore her hair in braids, which had been dyed orange.
The Watchmen alum was being honored with the coveted Women Power Award at the Italian event, which was jointly presented to Naomie Harris.
Earlier this year, Alexander Jr. passed away on January 21 — just days after his 26th birthday. He was often his mother’s date at movie premieres and other red carpet events.
King, who shares her late son with ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr., began bringing her little boy to events in the 2000s when Alexander Jr. was only 7 years old — embracing him at the May 2003 premiere of Daddy Day Care and posing with him one month later at the premiere of Legally Blonde 2. As Alexander Jr. grew up, he only continued to accompany his mom on red carpets: including in 2015, when he high-fived the American Crime alum after she won an Emmy, and in October 2021, when she cemented her handprints at the famed TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
“Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,” King told the Today show on January 22. “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.”
While her Friday appearance marks the One Night in Miami director’s first public appearance since the loss of her son, Vivica A. Fox gave fans an update on the actress’ well-being in late January, revealing she had seen her friend two days