Alana Thompson — also known as Honey Boo Boo — is one of TLC's biggest stars.
She first made a name for herself when she appeared on "Toddlers and Tiaras," in 2012.
And her larger-than-life personality quickly captured America's hearts.
She then landed her own spin-off show the same year called "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo."
"What is that?" "A err d'erb."
"A what?" "A hors d'erb."
"What is that?" "It's a fancy hors d'erb. Now grab one."
The show followed her daily life, and also introduced audiences to her quirky family.
And it became one of TLC's biggest runaway hits.
But the network was met with backlash after viewers dug into Mama June's past,
and unearthed arrests and an investigation from Child Protective Services, according to Jezebel.
Critics also lambasted the show for exploiting young Alana. But even though she has lived in
the public eye for almost a decade, Alana has since revealed a lonelier side to her fame.
"Are you guys ready?" "[Sigh]"
For someone as talkative and personable as she is,
you'd think she would have loads of friends. But the reality star shared
with Teen Vogue that she doesn't feel like she can trust most people. She told the outlet,
"To be honest, I do not have many friends. At all. Because I feel like folks are so much like, 'Oh,
my God, I'm friends with Honey Boo Boo.' I don't trust [anybody] really, so I don't have friends."
According to Teen Vogue, Alana typically notes whether someone calls her by her name,
or "Honey Boo Boo" — or ever offers to pay for anything. Oftentimes, hopeful friends
just assume Alana will foot the bill because they think she's rich. Still in her teens,
the star is estimated to be worth roughly $50,000. And while it's not a fortune,
Alana appreciates the success she's found in reality TV, adding,
"I want to have a life, you know? I want to
be able to support my kids when I do have kids and stuff like that.
It's definitely something that is good for the time being, [and] good for later on in life."
With a clear vision for the future,
Alana is also over the heat she takes for just being herself. Like many child stars,
she has outgrown the expectations of her younger years. She explained to Teen Vogue,
"I guess people still expect me to be little Honey Boo Boo, and I'm not anymore. Just because I'm
from the South, people expect me to be all country bumpkin, out riding four wheelers all the time,
but that's not really how it is. There are so many folks on my Instagram that do not
like my nails or my eyelashes. But I do not care. As long as I like myself, I'm good."
"Pumpkin, I'm finally makin' friends. Please don't embarrass me."
Another person who likes Alana is her sister, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon,
who was granted legal guardianship over her in 2019. Alana credits Pumpkin for
stepping up after Mama June's arrest for drug possession, according to Entertainment Tonight.
But while Alana has her sights set on graduating from college,
it's been a time of transition for the teen. And it's been an especially difficult situation
with her mother. In March of 2019, Mama June and her boyfriend Geno were arrested on drug
possession charges following an altercation at a gas station. But the arrest and subsequent stint
in rehab meant that June didn't have the capacity to take care of Alana on her own.
According to People, they had no contact for a year. Alana explained to Teen Vogue,
"A lot of folks in this world do not realize how many people are actually really affected by
drug and alcohol [use]. It's very, very hard. It's something I'd wish on nobody, for real."
Alana noted that her mother had since come a long way. And that they are working on
mending their relationship. But it's not as easy as it might seem. June told E!
in March of 2021 that she's hoping that one day, her children will be able to forgive her.
Only time will tell if they are able to heal the cracks in their relationship. But for now,
it looks like Alana is putting the past behind her — and keeping her eyes on the future.
"Mama always told me, 'Work it, Smoochie.' So I'm gonna just go out there and work it."
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