Fans worldwide are remembering Regina King as the 2022 Met Gala has come upon us.
King, who tragically lost her only son Ian Alexander Jr. in January, was set to serve as a co-host of the star-studded ceremony alongside Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
As The Blast covered, King was announced as co-chair of the Met Gala last month to the delight of fans.
Regina King Didn’t Walk The 2022 Met Gala Red Carpet
As stars arrived for the big night, fans were on the lookout for King, who was a co-chair for the night and is known to serve looks on the red carpet.
However, she was nowhere in sight. It remains unknown if King showed up for the Met Gala given her role for the night, but decided to skip walking the red carpet, or if she didn’t show up for the prestigious ceremony at all.
Nevertheless, she was heavy on fans’ minds, and they took to social media to shower love on her as she continues to mourn her beloved son.
One fan wrote, “If Regina King doesn’t show up to the met gala that’s absolutely okay & everyone needs to give her the grace that’s she’s absolutely entitled to! & continued to pray for her as she experienced a great loss that she will NEVER get over #reginaking #MetGala.”
LISTEN, if QUEEN Regina King shows up, we are happy for her, if she doesn’t show up, we are STILL grieving with her. Her birth is our birth. Her death is our death. #MetGala
— Namaste Andre (@NamasteBitchy_) May 3, 2022
Another concerned fan wrote, “Regina King was supposed to be a co-chair at the Met Gala tonight. Wishing her all the best as she continues to find a way to cope and heal.”
A thoughtful comment read, “don’t know if Regina King attended Met Gala (and skipped the red carpet) or not. but if not, completely understand. want her to take all the time she needs & do what’s best for her. miss her & wish her LOTS of *heart emoji*”
This netizen noted, “just remembering Regina King was supposed to be a co-host for this Met and I’m assuming she’s still healing privately since her son passed. thinking of her.”
Another user mentioned, “LISTEN, if QUEEN Regina King shows up, we are happy for her, if she doesn’t show up, we are STILL grieving with her. Her birth is our birth. Her death is our death. #MetGala.”
Regina King was supposed to be a co-chair at the Met Gala tonight. Wishing her all the best as she continues to find a way to cope and heal. ❤️
— Ms. O (@Fabulousity201) May 3, 2022
This fan warned, “Is Regina King coming out tonight? I hope no one is stupid enough to mention her loss to her. #MetGala.”
The ‘Watchmen’ Actress Lost Her Only Son
As The Blast reported, King lost her only son, Ian jr, to suicide in January. The heartbroken “One Night in Miami” actress broke the news via a statement that read, “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.”
The 51-year-old welcomed Ian, who was 26 at the time of his demise, with her record producer ex-husband Ian Alexander Sr during their nine-year marriage.
King was a single mother and absolutely loved her son with all her heart. The mother-son pair shared a very tight bond and often walked the red carpet together for big award shows.
Ian was a thriving deejay and singer who announced an upcoming performance on his Instagram days before losing his life. Following the news of Ian’s loss, the award-winning actress has stayed away from the public eye and hasn’t returned.
However, days after the tragedy, her good friend Vivica A. Fox shared an update about King’s well-being and how she was dealing with the grief.
Fox revealed that King was doing “okay” after she sent a text asking to see the “Set It Off” actress. The 57-year-old praised King’s courage, saying, “She’s so strong. More than anything else, I’m glad I got to hug her, look into her eyes.”
She also noted that King acknowledged the “outpouring of love for her, her son, and her family. She [King] appreciates it.”
