Photo Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Oscar-winning actress Regina King is unveiling a deeply personal tribute to her late son, Ian Alexander Jr., more than three years after his tragic passing. In her August 2025 Haute Living cover story, King opens up about how grief has reshaped her existence—and how she’s channeling her love through MianU, an orange wine launched this month that embodies a living connection to her son’s spirit. This is more than a product—it’s a moving testament to memory, artistry, and healing.
Turning Love into Legacy: The Story Behind MianU
Regina King, 54, revealed that launching MianU came from a profound epiphany—a moment born of pain but channeled into creativity. The wine’s name, a fusion of “me and you,” incorporates letters from both Regina and Ian’s names. It traces back to Ian as the person who first introduced her to orange wine—a detail that adds intimate significance to the project.
The label itself bears Ian’s handwriting, a tangible presence that hovers over every pour. King explained to Just Jared that:
“It was kind of an epiphany I had, that came from a place of continuing to create memories in Ian’s spirit… I still love talking about Ian… This is my way of creating something new, together.”
She emphasized the wine’s theme of “connection”—a poignant reminder that love transcends loss.
Living Moments, Blended with Remembrance
In the Haute Living interview, King summed up how grief has altered her mindset:
“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.”
Across multiple interviews, she has spoken candidly about the intertwining of happiness and sorrow in her life—recognizing that both emotions can coexist, and that embracing them is a part of moving forward.
Journals, Memory, and Music: Holding Ian Close
In an emotionally revealing Parade interview, King shared how she keeps Ian’s creative spark alive by turning to his journals:
“I have all of Ian’s journals. And when I’m kind of in a meditative space of connecting with him, I’ll sometimes read… I savor the moments because I don’t want to ever finish reading his journals.”
One journal entry featured a striking “M” that resembled a music note—a poignant design that ultimately inspired the MianU logo. King noted that Ian would have been proud of that connection, especially since the label design was created by an artist who contributed to iconic album covers such as Thriller and Fleetwood Mac.
Grief in the Present Tense: Speaking About Ian as If He Were Still Here
Regina King has long maintained that she speaks of Ian as though he’s still present, an emotional stance she first articulated during her solo return to television on Good Morning America:
“Grief is a journey … I understand that grief is love that has no place to go.”
“I honor Ian in the totality of who he is. I speak about him in the present because he is always with me and the joy and happiness that he gave all of us.”
She continued in subsequent interviews to express that she thinks of him constantly—“24/7”—and finds comfort in small “Ian-spirations” that feel like subtle confirmations of his presence.
A Public Unveiling of Private Grief
This wave of emotional openness began in March 2024 when King appeared on Good Morning America—her first television interview since Ian’s death. She was raw and candid, describing her grief as a painful and transformative force:
“I’m a different person… Grief is love that has no place to go… I was so angry with God… The sadness is a reminder of how much he means to me.”
Her willingness to speak so openly about depression, suicide, and the complexities of grief illuminated the depth of her pain—and offered solace to others in mourning.
Healing, Advocacy, and Continuing the Conversation
MianU is more than a personal keepsake—it invites dialogue. With Ian’s name emblazoned on each bottle, the wine is engineered to inspire questions, stories, and shared memories—even among those who never met him:
“For people who never got the chance to dance with Ian, maybe they’ll be curious. Maybe they’ll ask. His name is right there, in the middle of it all. He’ll never be forgotten.”
Regina King is forging new pathways through her grief—embracing creativity, connection, and purpose as a means to carry on her son’s legacy.
The Next Chapter
As Regina prepares for her upcoming projects—including Caught Stealing, premiering later this month—her return to the spotlight feels heartened by memory and healing rather than absence. Through MianU, her son’s spirit infuses both her private moments and her public milestones. In a world often shaped by fleeting celebrity headlines, this story stands apart: it’s about love that outlasts physical presence, and sorrow transformed into something tastefully tangible—each cork pop a quiet tribute, each glass a memory kept alive.
Conclusion
Regina King’s journey through grief—marked by raw honesty, creative tribute, and tender remembrance—is powerful and deeply human. With MianU, she offers a new chapter to memory, where sadness and beauty coexist, and where love continues to ferment with grace.