Alana Thompson, known as Honey Boo Boo, first gained fame as a child beauty pageant contestant on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras and then starred in her own reality show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo from 2012 to 2014. The show was canceled abruptly in 2014 after reports surfaced that her mother, Mama June Shannon, was involved with a convicted sex offender, which led TLC to end all activities related to the series to protect the children involved
. Since then, Alana has largely stepped away from reality TV drama. She has been focusing on her education and personal growth. As of 2023, she enrolled at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, pursuing a degree in neonatal nursing, expressing a desire to help babies and move beyond her reality TV past
. Alana also shared her story in a 2025 Lifetime biopic titled I Was Honey Boo Boo , which sheds light on her difficult experiences growing up in the public eye and the family challenges she faced, including being placed under the guardianship of her older sister Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird for a time
. Her relationship with her mother has been complicated by Mama June's legal troubles and scandals, including arrests related to drug possession. The family has mostly gone separate ways, with Mama June remarrying and Alana's sister Pumpkin taking on a guardianship role for her at one point
. In summary, Honey Boo Boo has transitioned from child reality star to a college student aiming for a nursing career, while her family has endured significant public and personal challenges since their TV show ended.
