Alana Thompson - once known to millions as the outrageous, sassy pageant kid "Honey Boo Boo" - is making headlines again, this time for a very different reason.Honey Boo Boo as you may remember her, in 2012. Credit: Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for ExtraMore than a decade after reality TV launched her into the spotlight, the former child star is opening up about her past, her painful family struggles, and the new life she's built for herself far away from the cameras.Fame, fallout, and fractured family tiesThompson skyrocketed to fame at just five years old after delivering the now-iconic line, “A dollar made me holler, honey boo boo!” on TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras.That moment birthed her nickname and led to the spinoff Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, which aired from 2012 to 2017. What began as light-hearted entertainment documenting a self-proclaimed “redneck” Georgia family soon took a dark turn.In her new Lifetime biopic, I Was Honey Boo Boo - premiering May 17 - Thompson breaks her silence on years of trauma and family dysfunction, including her mother’s drug addiction, financial betrayal, and the lasting scars from growing up on reality TV.A new life for Honey Boo BooNow 19 years old and studying nursing in Denver, Thompson revealed in a new interview with People that she’s chasing her dream of becoming a nurse — and in doing so, will become the first in her family to earn a college degree."To be a college student means a lot to me," Thompson said. "When I graduate college I will be the first one in our family to have an actual college degree."She admitted that while many people think they know her from TV, much of her real life has played out off-camera."Right now I am a nursing student in college in Denver. I'm 19, I'm just living my best life and like, I'm just chilling, you know," she told PEOPLE in a new interview. "Literally my whole life is study, study, study."Online, support has poured in from those inspired by her transformation. "When she said she’ll be the first one to have a college degree in her family really moved me," one fan wrote.Another added: "She seems kind, forgiving, hard-working, and determined. She's gonna be an amazing nurse."A third commented: "She is so down to earth, I'm glad she seems to be doing well and breaking the cycle for herself.""I really went through all that s***? That’s crazy."Thompson's childhood wasn't all tiaras and catchphrases. As her mother June “Mama June” Shannon spiraled into drug addiction in 2019, Thompson was left to navigate adolescence on her own."That was a really hard time for me and I was trying to transition into high school and there was just so much going on in my life at that time," she told Us Weekly. "Plus, everything my mom was doing on top of that was very hard for me."Thompson noticed something was wrong when her mom started locking bedroom and bathroom doors—something she’d never done before. And while there was always food, gone were the home-cooked meals. "I had to figure it out on my own or I was eating a bowl of cereal or noodles or whatever it was that I could cook at that time."“There was no, ‘I’m sorry’”Despite years on TV, Thompson says she never saw a dime from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and claims her mom took $35,000 of her Dancing with the Stars earnings in 2019 during the height of her addiction."There was no, ‘I’m sorry,’" Thompson said, though she noted that the money was eventually returned.Still, she emphasized the new biopic is not meant to attack her mom. “I did not want this movie to be throwing punches at my mama and making her out to be the bad guy,” she said. “But I didn’t hold back and if she gets mad, at the end of the day it’s the truth.”Sobriety, healing, and a fragile reconciliationNow sober for over five years, Mama June has re-entered Alana’s life. Their relationship is a work in progress, but things are improving.Honey Boo Boo is all grown up now! Credit: JB Lacroix/WireImage"We’re in a really good spot right now," Thompson said. "I mean, honestly, I can’t put into words how good of a spot we are in right now. It is just perfect." While they don’t speak every day, she says they make sure to stay connected.Thompson also no longer worries about a relapse. "She doesn’t smoke cigarettes, she doesn’t do alcohol, literally nothing. She doesn’t do it. She hates it. So I’m very proud of her and I don’t even think that’s a concern for me anymore."The two will appear again together in the upcoming season of Mama June: Family Crisis, which returns to WeTV on May 30.“You want to do something better with your life”Despite the chaotic childhood, Thompson has never lost sight of her goals. "I just always told myself you know that you want to do something better with your life and bigger with your life than just being on TV, so you've got to get up and go, you've got to graduate so you can make it to college and be the nurse that you want to be."Now living in Colorado with her boyfriend Dralin Carswell, 24, and entering her junior year at Regis University, she’s doing just that.Her message to fans is simple, but powerful: "Honey Boo is just like me. That's so crazy and I like for people not to feel alone."I Was Honey Boo Boo premieres tonight (May 17).Featured image credit: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Alana Thompson - who is perhaps best known as the child reality star Honey Boo Boo - has opened up about her family life in a new interview and photoshoot with Teen Vogue.

The former Toddlers in Tiaras star wowed Instagram users after a series of shots from her new photoshoot with the publication were shared to the platform.

Wearing a series of glamorous outfits, the 16-year-old was flooded with praise from social media users, with some people commenting on how far she's come since her time on the children's beauty pageant circuit.

"Love the styling on this," one Instagram user commented, whereas others described Thompson as "an icon" and "beautiful".

However, the teen was also praised for her candid interview with Teen Vogue, as she opened up about life as Honey Boo Boo and her mom's well-documented struggles with substance abuse.

"A lot of folks in this world do not realize how many people are actually really affected by drug and alcohol [use]," the teen told the publication, adding: "It's very, very hard. It's something I'd wish on nobody, for real."

Thompson added that her relationship with her mom, June Shannon, is now getting "back on track".

Sharing a series of shots to her own Instagram page, Thompson wrote: "OMGG !! I’m soo excited to finally tell everyone that I'm on teen Vogue! [This] is a dream come true, never in million years would I've thought I was gonna be on teen vouge but look at me now! I'm so thankful & grateful for this opportunity!!"

In the interview, Thompson also spoke out about the hate she has received throughout her life over her weight.

"I feel like my generation is probably making it worse. Everybody's all about body positivity, body positivity, until they see a body they don't like," she said. "I don't understand why people think this way. Just because I got a little bit of extra meat on my bones, you want to hate me? I'll never get body shaming.

However, the teenager certain knows her self-worth, as she later added: "I know I'm beautiful, and I know I got a banging body, so...I don't care."

Featured image credit: PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy

Honey Boo Boo has left her fans in awe after she attended her high school prom with her boyfriend Dralin Carswell.

The 17-year-old reality TV star - whose real name is Alana Thompson - donned a stunning pink gown decorated with sequins and intricate beading for the special occasion.

Her long blonde hair was styled in waves and done up into a high ponytail that fell alongside her face, which had ultra-glam pink makeup.

Meanwhile, Thompson's 21-year-old boyfriend sported a more casual look by wearing a white polo shirt, black jeans, and a baseball cap.

Check out Thompson's prom pictures below: 

Instead of taking a limousine to prom, the couple rode in style with a horse-drawn carriage - which was perfect for the TV personality's magical evening.

Upon seeing her photos, many users took to their social media to gush about the young reality TV star's look for prom. One person wrote: "After a hard few years she deserves to have a great prom experience. She looks great."

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Another user commented: "I'm so happy for Alana. She was happy and that is all that matters. Her life hasn't been a fairytale."

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A third person said: "She looks beautiful, I hope she had a great time. Prom is a special day to feel like a princess."

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A fourth added: "Good for her attending prom. And still in school on her way to graduate. As much drama as this young girl has had in her short life I am proud of her for staying in school."

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Thompson first came to fame at age six on Toddlers & Tiaras in 2012 and stayed with the show for a year. She then appeared on Here Comes Honey Boo Boo from 2012 to 2014 and featured on Mama June: From Not To Hot which aired from 2017 until 2020. She was also on The Masked Singer in 2021.

Her prom pictures come after she was hit with backlash after a TikTok live video of her "new accent" went viral on social media. Speaking with an exaggerated accent, she is heard saying: "I’ma actually start talking like this … OK. Cuz' y’all think I’m so ghetto, I’m finna show y'all how f***ing ghetto."

As soon as a video snippet of the live session was shared on other social media platforms, many users quickly called out the internet personality. So on March 16, the child star clarified the reason for her new accent on her Instagram Stories.

"Some people enjoy saying anything to get views! People enjoy creating things that are false," she wrote. "No, I wasn’t attempting to offend anyone. I did this because people frequently comment on how 'ghetto' my speech is. Which I feel in no way I do. I feel I am my own true self and if you don't like it you simply don't have to comment on it!"

"I [understand] that people use that method to relieve itch when they have a hairstyle. I’m fully aware, I also love trying new wigs as well … lastly, this is the end I will speak on this topic," the Toddlers & Tiaras alum concluded.

Featured image credit: Ron Adar / Alam

Honey Boo Boo is taking a drastic step on her weight loss journey.

The reality star - real name Alana Thompson - shot to fame as a child and become renowned for her adorably chubby features.

However, now 16, Thompson is looking to lead a healthier life. Her manager confirmed to Page Six this week that after she turns 17, the star will be heading to New York City to have a suture sculpt endoscopic sleeve fitted by weight loss doctor Steven Batash.

Per TMZ, the surgical treatment can cost up to $13,000. However, for many people, it can be a life-changing way to kick start their weight loss journey.

Former Toddlers & Tiaras star Thompson is said to weigh around 275 pounds. After trying to drop pounds through diets, the teenager has reportedly become concerned that her extra weight is genetic - and that surgery is the only way she can reach her goals.

Credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy

Luckily, she won't be going through the procedure alone. Her boyfriend Dralin Carswell, 20, will be undergoing the same surgery alongside her, as they embark on their healthy living campaign together.

The pair first went Instagram official with their relationship in September 2021, after dating for a few months.

Meanwhile, news of Thompson's surgery comes just weeks after it was reported that her mom, 'Mama June' Shannon, had lost custody of her to her sister, Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Shannon, 22.

Per The Sun, a Georgia judge awarded Shannon sole custody of her sister, saying: "It is in the best interest of the child that the plaintiff is awarded sole custody."

Thompson and her mom, 'Mama June' Shannon, in 2018. Credit: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy

Shannon has been acting as Thompson's guardian since April 2019, when their mom's addiction issues spiraled out of control. As well as being arrested on drug possession charges, she also sold the family's Georgia home at a loss for fast cash in October 2018.

As well as having the right to make day-to-day care decisions for the young star, Shannon also has sole authority to allow her to go ahead with more major choices - such as the decision to undergo weight loss surgery.

Featured Image Credit: Sam Aronov / Alamy

Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson has addressed criticism over the age gap between herself and her boyfriend Dralin Carswell.

The 16-year-old Toddlers and Tiaras alum sat down with ET's Rachel Smith this week and told her that she and 21-year-old Dralin have been targeted based on two things: "our age gap" and "because he's Black and I’m white."

Sat with Alana during the interview was her sister, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon. The pair spoke from their home in Georgia about a range of topics including family, dating and reality TV.

The teen also discussed  her relationship with Dralin, whom she's now been seeing for a year and seven months.

"In our relationship, the two most things that everybody is always talking about is our age gap and definitely because he's Black and I’m white and we're an interracial couple," Alana said.

The reality star went on to say that the opinions of those online are irrelevant to her as she and her boyfriend are in a happy relationship and their family is supportive.

"I don’t care because, like, at the end of the day, my sister approves, his mom approves, and we're happy, so what fans got to say or what haters got to say I don’t really care," Alana continued.

Lauryn, 22, voiced her own support for her younger sister's relationship with Dralin. She said that at nearly 17 years old, she believes Alana is mature enough to date a man in his early twenties.

“She’s not getting married, she’s not having a kid, she’s doing very good in school,” Lauryn said, adding that in spite of the age gap, Alana and Dralin are “on the same wavelength.”

Alana then spoke in detail about what she likes about her relationship with Dralin.

"I like how it’s never quiet when we're around each other, we're always talking about something. It’s never like an awkward moment, silence or none of that. We're always just talking about something," Alana shared.

Lauryn was this year granted sole custody of Alana away from their 42-year-old mother, Mama June Shannon, People reports.

The judge wrote that Lauryn "has had guardianship of the minor child" since April 29, 2019. "It is in the best interest of the child that the plaintiff is awarded sole custody," they wrote.

Credit: MediaPunch Inc / Alamy.

The mother will only be allowed to contact the Here Comes Honey Boo Boo star by phone every day, and will have to pay her guardian $800 per month in child support until Alana turns 18.

Lauryn first became Alana's temporary guardian in August 2019 after their mom was arrested on drug possession charges that year with her then-boyfriend Geno Doak.

The older sister was permitted by her father, Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson, to seek guardianship over her younger sister.

Now, Lauryn is the reality TV star's sole decision-making authority until she reaches legal age, and she has the right to make the day-to-day care decisions for her.

Additionally, Lauryn will have the choice to permit visitation rights between June and Alana. The judge also ruled that both parties have agreed to the arrangement set in the document.

Featured image credit: Sam Aronov / Alamy