Regina King and Late Son Ian Alexander Jr. Toasted ‘Inclusivity’ During Joint New Year’s Eve Appearance

usmagazine.com:

Looking back. Weeks before Regina King’s son, Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide, the pair were elated to celebrate New Year’s Eve together with their family.“One of the things that this past two years has kind of sat with me is inclusivity,” the Watchman star, 51, told Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper during a surprise appearance on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live in December 2021. “With all we’ve been through the past few years [and] how different we all are, but the one thing that we all have in common is that we want to be seen.

We all want to be included and we should be.”Ian, who died days after his 26th birthday, and King’s “bonus son” sat beside the Oscar winner on her couch during the virtual interview, toasting the forthcoming year.“Here we are with — OK, this is my son [and] my bonus son — 20 years we’re all together this whole family of people are together because of these two and their lives together that brought us together,” King introduced the young men. “And we kinda drink in the spirit of inclusivity, too, and progress.”After making “eye contact,” the trio clinked their classes and sipped their glasses of tequila.The mother-son twosome’s appearance aired a few weeks before the musician — who performed under the moniker Desduné — died by suicide.“Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian,” King — who shared her only son with ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr. — told TODAY in a statement on Friday, January 21. “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.”Ahead of his death, Ian had been candid about his mental health struggles.“You know that episode of SpongeBob where they go inside