Podcast Summary: Let's Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa
Episode: Regina King: Reigning Hollywood
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Kelly Ripa
Guest: Regina King
Special Guest Producers: Albert Bianchini, Jan Chalet (occasional interjections)
Overview
In this heartfelt and often humorous conversation, Kelly Ripa welcomes Oscar-winning actress and director Regina King to discuss her wide-ranging Hollywood career, personal journey, and new projects. The episode oscillates between playful banter, deep reflections on loss and legacy, and candid behind-the-scenes anecdotes from King's storied life in entertainment. The episode also covers Regina’s new wine brand, “Me and You,” and her upcoming film with Darren Aronofsky, “Caught Stealing.”
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Warm-Up & Banter
[03:01-08:00]
- Kelly, Albert, and Jan exchange stories about family, weekends, and Kelly's son Joaquin, who recently spent time with Albert.
- Hilarious anecdotes about boating adventures with Albert vs. Kelly’s husband, Mark (“Albert is the boat captain we all need,” Kelly jokes).
Introducing Regina King
[08:03-08:58]
- Regina joins from London; discusses being up late ("it is 11:30pm right now" [08:03]).
- Kelly gushes over Regina’s ageless appearance and recounts her love of “Poetic Justice.”
- Regina recalls her past as a soap fan watching Kelly as Hayley on “All My Children” and the mutual appreciation for each other's career beginnings.
London Life & Personal Connections
[10:51-12:26]
- Regina reveals she spends time in London due to a transatlantic relationship (“We really try to protect our space…” [10:51]).
- Kelly notes her daughter lives in London, proposes connecting the two for a night out.
Legendary “Watch What Happens Live” Episode, Social Media & Fun Side
[12:23-14:46]
- Kelly discusses Andy Cohen’s favorite episode: Regina and Jackée Harry's legendary appearance (“Do you remember this? We all remember this episode.” [12:23]).
- Regina recalls learning what "trending" meant after going viral (“I hope trending is a good thing. Please tell me... of this trending you speak of” [13:26]).
- Regina reflects on letting her guard down and being publicly seen as more than just a serious artist.
Motherhood, Family, and Grieving
[16:19-22:59]
- Regina opens up about her late son, Ian, and explains that her new wine, “Me and You,” is a tribute to his spirit and their bond (“It's called Me and you... it's wine that’s celebrating all things Ian.” [16:19]).
- Talks about trying to navigate ongoing connection after loss, being present for spiritual moments, and why she avoids mediums or psychics (“If I go and seek [a psychic], ...I will be chasing that forever…” [22:17]).
- Kelly shares advice from a recent psychic guest that lost loved ones “are always with you.”
Early Career & Family Support
[23:06-25:46]
- Regina describes starting acting as a child—with her younger sister Raina—doing background work at age 9 (“First job was background on Silver Spoons or Diff’rent Strokes” [23:11]).
- Heartfelt appreciation for her mother, a lifelong teacher who nurtured her and her sister's artistic interests and “knew how to package something for an individual” [30:16].
- Humorous story about her mom “acting candid” in family photos [31:19].
The Oscar Moment
[31:24-36:13]
- Regina vividly recalls her Oscar win (“Everything is kind of like you’re looking through a crystal ball and everything is kind of hypersensitive…” [32:13]).
- She reflects on how she and her mom shared a silent, psychic connection in those tense moments, and how she tried to keep her face composed for the camera to avoid the cancel-culture backlash [35:48].
- Memorable moment with Chris (presumably Chris Evans) escorting her up the stage steps [34:13].
Notable Quote:
“Everything was hyper. Like, I can hear the hairs on my arms raised...my senses were really, really, really elevated in that moment.” — Regina King [32:13]
Career Arc, Pivotal Moments & Directorial Ambitions
[36:38-42:21]
- Discusses how every role carries special meaning, closely tied to the time in her life, but singles out “Jerry Maguire” (auditioned while pregnant) and “Boyz n the Hood” (her break from TV to film) as standouts.
- Reveals it was John Singleton who first saw her potential as a director, long before she acknowledged it herself (“He would call me over and say...Do you want to come watch films? …I did not know how much I was learning by being in John’s presence...” [40:07]).
- Praises Singleton’s vision in recognizing talent in others before the industry did (“He saw in people what they didn’t see in themselves...That’s what’s going to bring them [his words] to life” [45:32]).
Notable Quote:
“I am so much more than Brenda from 227.” — Regina King [38:36]
Collaborating with Other Artists
[46:43-47:32]
- Lists Don Cheadle as a dream collaborator, surprised they’ve never worked together on screen.
- Names Carrie Coon as a favorite among those she’s worked with (“If she’s in it—let’s go!” [47:32]).
Becoming a Director & Recent Work
[47:38-54:08]
- Regina describes other directors’ relief at working with an “actor-director” because she understands their intentions and process (“I think other directors are relieved when they’re working with a director-actor” [47:51]).
- Excited about upcoming film "Caught Stealing" (Aug 29), directed by Darren Aronofsky, describing the gender-swapping of her role and why this particular director drew her to the project (“...doing something outside his comfort zone—that’s what attracted me to it” [51:10]).
- Kelly recaps the film’s star-studded cast, including Zoe Kravitz, Austin Butler, Liev Schreiber, and Bad Bunny.
Notable Quote:
“I am not interested in working with people that...if I don't feel like I'm going to come out and I haven't learned something, then I'm not really interested in that time. I'm 54 years old. I don't need an experience just for the sake of working.” — Regina King [49:16]
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- Regina on the Oscar win, her senses, and her mom:
“It was like I can hear the hairs on my arms raised. I can hear what it sounded like for my mom to grab my hand…” [32:13]
- Regina’s tongue-in-cheek lesson from awards ceremonies:
“Don't let disappointment register in any way. This is the time that all that you learn to do as an actor, girl. This is the time that you use it.” [36:03]
- On Andy Cohen and trending:
“Luckily, I do remember it. I was not. I may have been two sheets to the wind, but I wasn’t three sheets to the wind. I had not fully become the lampshade.” [12:58]
- On John Singleton’s mentorship:
“He saw in people what they didn’t see in themselves...He would see us in a way that we had never imagined ourselves.” [45:32]
- On current priorities:
“I'm 54 years old. I don't need an experience just for the sake of working... I want to come out having learned something.” [49:16]
Timestamps to Key Segments
- [08:03] – Regina joins from London
- [12:23] – Watch What Happens Live and the real Regina
- [16:19] – Launching “Me and You” wine in memory of her son
- [23:11] – Regina’s early acting gigs
- [31:24] – Academy Award reflections
- [36:38] – Most meaningful roles
- [40:07] – John Singleton’s influence and directorial inspiration
- [46:43] – Dream collaborators and current favorites
- [47:51] – Working as an actor-director
- [49:16] – "Caught Stealing," priorities, and working with Aronofsky
- [51:10] – Breaking outside your comfort zone
Tone & Atmosphere
The episode is rich in warm, conversational humor and deep emotional resonance. Regina King’s openness about personal loss, Hollywood realities, and her non-negotiable standards at this stage of her career create a candid, empowering portrait. Kelly Ripa’s admiration brings out both vulnerability (“If I had known you were watching me on All My Children, I would have crapped my pants.” [10:40]) and laughter.
Takeaways
- Regina King’s resilience and artistry is inseparable from her deep family roots and grounding in self-awareness.
- Her willingness to challenge herself—both personally (honoring her son) and professionally (directing, thoughtful role selection)—illustrates lasting growth beyond the Hollywood spotlight.
- Listeners glimpse Regina’s unguarded side amidst true friendship, mutual respect, and infectious celebration of creative passion.
For more:
- Regina King’s new wine: meandyouwines.com
- "Caught Stealing" film launches: August 29
- Follow: @meandyouwines on Instagram
End of Summary