Regina King on grief and memory of her son; unveils MianU orange wine

Regina King says she has reoriented her approach to life after the death of her son, Ian Alexander Jr., in January 2022, embracing the idea that sadness and happiness can coexist and that she must live more fully in the moment. In a candid new interview, the Oscar-winning actress discusses how grief has reshaped her days, and how an orange wine she launched this month—MianU, short for me and you—serves as both a memorial and a creative new venture.

King, who is promoting her work in the film industry, described a shift in perspective brought on by years of grief, the upheaval of the pandemic, and the trials of healing. “Now, I understand that sadness and happiness can be happening at the same time,” she explained. “I one thousand percent live in the moment more. I don’t know if that’s something that just comes with time, or with pain, or with the pandemic probably all of it. But I feel it.” The death of her only child, who died by suicide at 26, remains a central part of her life, shaping how she speaks about memory and presence.

In embracing memory as a living force, King has found a tangible outlet in MianU, the orange wine she launched in Ian’s honor. She described the...