Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. dies by suicide at age 26
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Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide.
The 51-year-old actress confirmed the tragic news to PEOPLE on Friday with a statement: ‘Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. 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.’
Ian - who celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday - was King’s only child with her record producer ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr.
Regina King’s only son Ian Alexander Jr. has died by suicide; Ian and Regina pictured in 2014
King shared a close bond with her son - an artist and DJ - who often accompanied her to events and called her ‘super mom’ at the 2019 Golden Globes.
‘She’s just a super mom,’ he said while speaking with E! on the red carpet. ‘She doesn’t really let bad work days or anything come back and ruin the time that we have. It’s really awesome to have a mother who I can enjoy spending time with.’
The If Beale Street Could Talk actress separated from Ian’s father in 2007, after nine years of marriage.
Devastating: The 51-year-old actress confirmed the tragic news to PEOPLE on Friday with a statement: ‘Our family is devastated at the deepest level by the loss of Ian. 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.’
Artistic soul: Ian was an artist and a DJ - known as DJ Buttercream; Pictured attending Childhelp Hollywood Heroes on October 18, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California
His passion: pictured DJ’ing and with actress Rosario Dawson (right)
In 2011, Regina spoke with Essence and revealed how much she adored her only child.
‘I get emotional because my son is an amazing young man, and it took me to be a mother for me to realize how incredible of a woman she (my mother) is,’ she said.
She went on saying, ‘You don’t know what unconditional love is. You may say you do, but if you don’t have a child, you don’t know what that is. But when you experience it, it is the most fulfilling ever. So, that is the greatest part about me. Being a mom to Ian.’
Close bond: The actress shared a close bond with her son, who often accompanied her to events and called her ‘super mom’ at the 2019 Golden Globes
Family: Ian - who celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday - was King’s only child with her record producer ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr; Pictured during Legally Blonde 2 Red, White & Blonde - Special Screening in Southampton, New York
The star pictured with her son and her ex-husband at the 2005 Miss Congeniality 2 film premiere in Los Angeles
Regina pictured with Ian (left), her sister Reina, and parents Gloria and Thomas at her hand and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on October 28, 2021
Meanwhile Ian shared a lovely message for Regina’s 50th birthday last year, writing on his Instagram: ‘Happy birthday to my co, so extremely proud of you and inspired by your love, artistry, and gangsta! To be able to watch you take this lifetime by its neck and make it yours is something I will forever be grateful for.’
He went on, ‘But to have you as my mother is the greatest gift I could ask for. To be all that you are while always having the time to be there, love and support me unconditionally is truly remarkable.
‘The whole marvel universe ain’t got s**t on you, your {sic] the real superhero! Love you mom! This day and everyday YO DAY!!’
Together: The mother and son pictured at the 18th Annual Race To Erase MS at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on April 29, 2011 in Century City
King and Ian attend Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on February 4, 2017 in New York City
The Golden Globe winner and her son pictured attending the GRAMMY Gift Lounge during the 56th Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California
In 2017 King revealed on an episode of The View that the two share matching tattoos.
‘We were taking Kabbalah classes. He said, let’s choose three [designs] each and not tell each other which ones they are and whichever one is matching, that’s the one we’re going to get tattooed — and we both chose unconditional love,’ she shared.
While portraying a grieving mother who recently lost a child in Netflix’s Seven Seconds series in 2019, the actress spoke about how her own experience as a mother prepared her for the role.
‘[My son] makes me happier than anything in the whole world,’ she said. ‘To be in a space of a mother losing her child for six months was terrifying.’
Loving mom: In 2011 Regina told Essence, ‘You don’t know what unconditional love is. You may say you do, but if you don’t have a child, you don’t know what that is. But when you experience it, it is the most fulfilling ever. So, that is the greatest part about me. Being a mom to Ian’
Shirley: 7 Quick Things We Know About Regina King’s Upcoming Netflix Movie
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Regina King has made a career out of playing strong, fiercely independent women whose refusal to back down is an inspiration to audiences around the world. That being said, the Academy Award winner’s next project, the Netflix exclusive Shirley, will be another great addition to the list that also includes If Beale Street Could Talk, Watchmen, and The Harder They Fall.
If this is the first you are hearing of the upcoming biographical drama about the groundbreaking United States Congresswoman and one-time Presidential nominee Shirley Chisholm, don’t worry, because we have plenty of information on the upcoming release, including its cast, what it’s about, and how Chisholm’s impact can still be felt 50 years after she changed the political landscape.
(Image credit: Netflix; Lionsgate; HBO)
The Shirley Cast Includes Regina King, Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges And More
When Shirley lands on Netflix at some point in the near future, it will feature a cast headlined by Regina King, who will be taking on the role of Shirley Chisholm. Joining her in the star-studded cast will be Lance Reddick (John Wick, The Wire), Lucas Hedges (Manchester By The Sea, Let Them All Talk), Christina Jackson (Swagger, The Good Fight), Michael Cherrie (Home Again, Limbo), Dorian Missick (For Life, Lucky Number Slevin), Amirah Vann (Underground, Queen Sugar), W. Earl Brown (Deadwood, There’s Something About Mary), André Holland (Passing, Moonlight), and Terrence Howard (Empire, Iron Man).
Only Regina King’s role has been revealed at this time, but expect to hear more about who the other stars will be playing, as well as any other additions to the cast, in the coming weeks and months.
(Image credit: Florida Community College at Jacksonville)
Shirley Will Center On Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm’s Groundbreaking 1972 Presidential Campaign
In terms of inspirational true stories, it doesn’t get much better than that of Shirley Chisholm, and that’s what the movie will dive into. According to Netflix, Shirley will be an “intimate portrayal of the trailblazing political icon” and will center on her 1972 presidential campaign, which was the first time a Black woman sought the highest office in the country. This campaign came just a few years after Chisholm was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s 12th District and became the first Black woman to serve in Congress.
Shirley is based on a series of extensive and exclusive interviews with the late Congresswoman’s family, friends, and other important people in her life.
(Image credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Shirley Is Helmed By 12 Years A Slave Writer John Ridley
Leading the creative charge behind Shirley and the film’s inspirational story is Academy Award winner John Ridley, who took home an Oscar in 2013 for adapting the story that would become 12 Years a Slave. Ridley’s feature film directing credits include Cold Around the Heart, Jimi: All Is by My Side, and the 2017 documentary Let It Fall: Los Angeles: 1982-1992.
This will not be the first time John Ridley has worked with Regina King on a project, as he wrote and directed multiple episodes of ABC’s crime anthology series, American Crime, during the show’s three-season run.
(Image credit: HBO)
Regina King Has Said Shirley Chisholm’s ‘Fearless Determination’ Has Long Been An Inspiration
When Shirley was first announced in February 2021, Regina King, who is also serving as a producer through her Royal Ties Productions, described Shirley Chisholm as an “inspiration” in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter):
Shirley Chisholm’s fearless determination has been an inspiration to so many of us, and with this film we hope to inspire many generations to come.
Adding to that, writer-director John Ridley explained in an accompanying statement that he was thankful he had been given the opportunity to help tell the story of Shirley Chisholm, who he considers a “truly remarkable individual.”
(Image credit: Netflix)
Netflix Landed The Rights To Shirley In December 2021
Over the course of the past decade, Netflix has acquired more than a few thought-provoking films based on the real life stories of individuals who broke the mold with a new of way of thinking and pioneering actions. And, now that streak looks like it will continue, as it will be the home of Regina King’s Shirley. In December 2021, Deadline announced that the streaming giant had landed John Ridley’s upcoming feature length film. As mentioned earlier, Shirley was first announced in February 2021 and is being produced by Participant and Royal Ties Productions, which was founded by King and her sister Reina.
There is no word on when Netflix plans on releasing Shirley, and it is not yet known if the steaming giant will give the movie a brief theatrical run like it has done with some of its other major releases the past few years.
(Image credit: Mirror Releasing)
Production On Shirley Is Underway In Regina King’s Hometown Of Cincinnati
It’s not everyday an actor gets to return to their hometown to film their latest project, but that just so happens to be the case for Regina King, who is returning to Cincinnati, Ohio, for production on Shirley. In December 2021, the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper reported that the Queen City’s Academy Award-winning native and the rest of the cast and crew would descend upon the city later that month to begin shooting the highly-anticipated biographical drama. The publication reported that local casting began the previous month.
At this time there is no word on how long the shoot will take place or if other locations will be used in addition to Cincinnati.
(Image credit: Netflix)
A Shirley Production Company Will Lead A Campaign To Advance Civic Engagement And Social Justice
When Netflix announced that it would be releasing Shirley at some point in the future, the company pointed out that Participant, one of the two production companies working on the project, would be leading a campaign to advance civic engagement and social justice timed to the film’s release. No concrete details were provided at the time, but Participant does have a history of carrying out similar campaigns with its releases.
The Participant website features information and calls to action for its previous releases, including the Oscar-winning drama Judas and the Black Messiah, the COVID-19 documentary Totally Under Control, and several other notable projects.
Expect to hear more about Shirley in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, take a look at our list of all the upcoming Netflix movies scheduled for release in 2022.
King Felipe of Spain’s brother-in-law speaks out after being photographed with another woman
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Infanta Cristina de Borbón’s husband Iñaki Urdangarin has spoken out after being photographed holding hands with another woman. According to El Correo, the woman in the photos is Ainhoa Armentia. She and King Felipe of Spain’s brother-in-law reportedly work at the same law firm.
©Getty Images
Iñaki married King Felipe’s sister Cristina in 1997
As Iñaki arrived at his office on Thursday morning, he was asked about the pictures. “Things happen and we will manage it in the best possible manner,” he said (translated to English). When asked about his family and how they took the news, Iñaki replied, “Like a difficulty that we will manage with the utmost calm and together, as always.”
The images of Iñaki and Ainhoa reportedly did not catch King Felipe’s sister Cristina by surprise. “She already knew it,” a source told ¡HOLA! Spain. A source said that Queen Letizia’s sister-in-law is “fine and calm,” adding, “Right now, she is only concerned about her children.”
Infanta Cristina and Iñaki, who wed in 1997, share four children together: Juan Urdangarín y de Borbón, 22, Pablo Urdangarín y de Borbón, 21, Miguel Urdangarín y de Borbón, 19, and Irene Urdangarín y de Borbón, 16.
©Spanish Royal House via Getty Images
Cristina and Iñaki (pictured in 2011) share four children
Pablo preferred not to comment when approached by a reporter, noting that it “is a family issue.” He said (translated to English), “These are things that happen and we will talk about it and that’s it.” As for whether he’s spoken with his father or siblings, Pablo answered, “Yes, all is well indeed. We are all calm. We are all going to love each other the same. That is it. Nothing more is needed.”
Royal Family: The Queen’s scandalous uncle who ’took drugs’ and died in a plane crash
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The 12 - our free newsletter with all the news you need
History wouldn’t be nearly as interesting if there wasn’t the occasional sordid scandal splashed across the front page.
Royal scandals of past and present continue to excite on a monumental scale with the legacies of many individuals being determined by one trait. What makes Henry VIII interesting? His six wives. What does everyone remember about Queen Victoria? She wore black for 40 years.
So what about Prince George, Duke of Kent? The Queen’s uncle lived a less than traditional royal life and was revolved in numerous significant scandals.
You’re probably scratching your head and wondering who Prince George, Duke of Kent was… well, it’s quite the story.
(Image: Keystone/Getty Images)
READ MORE: The ‘disrespectful’ word Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ nanny is banned from using
Prince George Edward Alexander Edmund of Wales was born on December 20, 1902 to the future King George V and Queen Mary (then the Prince and Princess of Wales).
He was a grandson of King Edward VII and a great-grandson of Queen Victoria. He was also the brother of both King Edward VIII and King George VI, as well as the uncle of the Queen.
All of the children of King George V and Queen Mary had their own struggles, from the stuttering of the future King George VI to the early death of their youngest son, Prince John from epilepsy.
Get London’s biggest stories straight in your inbox Do you want to stay up to date with the latest news, views, features and opinion from across the city? MyLondon’s brilliant newsletter The 12 is absolutely jam packed with all the latest to keep you keep you entertained, informed and uplifted. You’ll get 12 stories straight to your inbox at around 12pm. It’s the perfect lunchtime read. And what’s more - it’s FREE! The MyLondon team tells London stories for Londoners. Our journalists cover all the news you need - from City Hall to your local streets, so you’ll never miss a moment. Don’t skip a beat and sign up to The 12 newsletter here.
But Prince George, who was educated at Osborne and Dartmouth naval colleges, would later gain a reputation as the glamorous party prince who was famed for his affairs, alleged drug abuse, involvement in high-profile love scandals, and same-sex relationships.
No secret has been made of their father’s austere and strict approach to parenting.
King George V famously told the Earl of Derby: “I was afraid of my father, my father was afraid of his mother, and I’m going to make damn sure my children are afraid of me!”
As the Duke of Kent was born as the fifth-in-line to the throne, he never experienced any of the pressures caused by the looming burden of the crown.
He just had to sit back and enjoy his incredibly privileged position.
Even though the Duke was a naval lieutenant - and later a pilot in the Royal Air Force - he was also able to indulge in his party-loving antics.
His various affairs reportedly include the likes of society heiress Poppy Baring, US Cabaret performer Florence Mills, singer Jessie Matthews, and Margaret, The Duchess of Argyll.
But it doesn’t stop there because George was believed to have also had affairs with men.
There were persistent rumours George became the lover of British playwright Noël Coward, as well as writer Cecil Roberts and the son of the Argentine ambassador, Jorge Ferrara.
There is even a suggestion that details about the prince’s private life are kept under lock and key at Windsor Castle, and are said to include details that George was once arrested for carrying out a homosexual act but was released when his identity was revealed.
(Image: Fox Photos/Getty Images)
The prince’s most famous affair was with Kiki Preston, who was also known as ‘the girl with the silver syringe’. It is thought she got the royal addicted to drugs, namely cocaine and morphine.
In the memoirs of Loelia, Duchess of Westminster, she revealed that George’s brother, Edward VIII believed George and Kiki had an illegitimate child and that it was Michael Temple Canfield, an American diplomatic aide during the Eisenhower administration.
Affairs and parties aside, Prince George was married to his second cousin, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark at Westminster Abbey on November 29, 1934.
They had three children, Prince Edward (the present Duke of Kent), Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy and Prince Michael of Kent.
(Image: J. A. Hampton/PNA Rota/Getty Images)
Prince George tragically died in a plane crash on August 25, 1942 at the age of just 39. Of the 14 on board, 13 were killed when the aircraft came down over Caithness in Scotland.
George left behind his wife and three young children, the youngest of whom was just over a month old.
He is buried at the Royal Burial Ground in Frogmore, Windsor.
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Got a story? Email rebecca.russell@reachplc.com
Dwyane Wade and the NBA partner up to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy
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To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the NBA enlisted the help of Dwyane Wade, a former player. The two delivered an inspiring TV spot that hopes to inspire young people to follow and live out MLK’s legacy.
©GettyImages
Dwayne in New York.
The spot, titled “Imagine” is voiced by Dwyane Wade and is made up of footage of himself intercut with videos of Martin Luther King giving speeches and walking in alongide nonviolent protestors in the Civil Rights Movement marches.
“Imagine changing the world,” Dwyane says. “By appealing to the hearts and minds of your nieghbors.” The footage of King features him in marches, reciting parts of his “American Dream” speech. By the closing moment of the spot, kids are seen looking at the footage of Martin Luther King and the marches, taking in his words.
Throughout his career, Dwyane Wade won three NBA championships, was an NBA-All-Star 13 times, and more. He played in the Miami Heats for the majority of his career.
To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the NBA will have all players wear custom warm up shirts for the games scheduled from January 13th to the 17th. The shirt has a quote from King’s “I have a dream” speech printed in the front, while the back has King’s signature in the back. Teams from the NBA will honor King through the week in a variety of ways, including seminars, activities with different youth groups and events that highlight the role that athletes play in social activism and in their communities.