If you close your eyes and think of Alana Thompson, you probably still see that spunky six-year-old in a frilly pink tutu, clutching a bottle of "go-go juice" and shouting about a "dolla making her holla." It’s a hard image to shake. Honestly, for a long time, the internet didn't want to let her grow up. But if you’ve seen a current photo of honey boo boo lately, you know that the "child star" label doesn't really fit anymore.
Alana is 20 now. She’s a college student. She’s living in Colorado, miles away from the Georgia heat and the cameras that followed her every move since she was a toddler. And yeah, she looks different. Really different. It’s not just the fact that she’s an adult; it’s a total transformation that has fans and critics alike doing a double-take on social media.
The 60-Pound Transformation Everyone is Talking About
Social media has been buzzing over Alana's recent appearances, and for once, it’s not because of some family drama or a messy reality TV cliffhanger. It’s her physical health. Over the last couple of years, Alana has undergone a massive health journey, losing upwards of 60 pounds.
Back in 2022, there was a lot of controversy when she mentioned considering weight loss surgery at just 16. People were worried. Experts weighed in, fans argued in the comments, and it became this whole national debate. But fast forward to 2026, and Alana has been open about how she actually did it. While she did utilize GLP-1 medications—a move that’s become pretty common in the celeb world—she’s also credited a massive shift in her lifestyle.
"I love that I've persevered past who people thought I was," Alana recently shared in an interview.
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The girl who used to live on Red Bull and Mountain Dew is now posting about portion control and hitting the gym. In her latest photos from late 2025 and early 2026, you can see the change in her face and her confidence. She’s down to around 135 pounds, which is a huge shift from her high school days when she was pushing 200. It’s weird to say, but seeing her look "normal" is what’s actually shocking people.
Life at Regis University: From "Honey Boo Boo" to Nursing Student
One of the coolest things about Alana’s current status is where she’s doing all this growing up. She moved to Denver to attend Regis University. Think about that for a second. This is a kid who grew up in the middle of a literal media circus. Her mom, June Shannon, was in and out of trouble, and her sister Pumpkin eventually had to take legal custody of her.
Now, she’s in nursing school. She’s studying for the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit).
Her life in Colorado is a far cry from the Wilkinson County, Georgia, lifestyle we saw on TLC. She lives in a modest rental, focuses on her clinical rotations, and is on track to be the first person in her immediate family to actually earn a college degree. When you see a current photo of honey boo boo on her campus, she isn't decked out in pageant gear or reality TV glam. She’s usually in scrubs or a hoodie, looking like any other exhausted 20-year-old trying to pass a pharmacology exam.
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Breaking the Cycle
It hasn't been an easy road. Alana has been incredibly vocal about the "child star curse" and the financial mess her mother left behind. In 2024, it came out that a huge chunk of her earnings—money she thought was safe in a Coogan account—was just... gone. June had spent it.
That kind of betrayal would break most people. But Alana seems to be using it as fuel. She’s filming a bit here and there for Mama June: Family Crisis, mostly because she needs the money for tuition, but her heart clearly isn't in the Hollywood life anymore. She’s looking toward a future where she isn't defined by a nickname given to her when she was in diapers.
Why These Photos Matter for Her Brand
The "unrecognizable" tag gets thrown around a lot in celebrity news, but with Alana, it feels earned. In her most recent Instagram updates and public appearances—like her 2025 visit to the Empire State Building—the transformation is undeniable.
- Confidence: She carries herself differently. The sassy "Honey Boo Boo" attitude has evolved into a quiet, adult confidence.
- Style: Gone are the over-the-top pageant outfits. Her style is much more Gen Z "clean girl" aesthetic now.
- Health: Beyond just the weight loss, she looks healthy. Her skin is clearer, and she seems more present.
It’s interesting to watch the public reaction. For years, people made fun of her family. They were the "poster kids" for a certain kind of Southern stereotype. But now? The comments sections are filled with people rooting for her. They see a young woman who survived a chaotic childhood and is actually making something of herself.
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The Reality of Being Alana Thompson in 2026
We have to be honest: Alana is never going to be "just Alana." She knows that. She’s admitted in interviews that she’ll likely always be in the spotlight to some degree. Whether she’s a nurse or a reality star, people are going to Google her. They’re going to look for that current photo of honey boo boo to see if she’s "stayed skinny" or if she’s moved back home.
But the 2026 version of Alana seems to have a much better handle on the boundaries. She’s dating Dralin Carswell, and while that relationship has had its own share of headlines, they’ve stayed relatively low-key lately. She’s focusing on her "study, study, study" routine in Denver and trying to navigate a complicated relationship with her mother.
What's Next?
Alana’s biopic, I Was Honey Boo Boo, which premiered on Lifetime in 2025, really set the stage for this new era. It allowed her to reclaim her narrative. It wasn't about the "go-go juice" anymore; it was about the girl behind the meme.
As she nears graduation, the big question is whether she’ll leave TV for good once she gets that RN license. Honestly, she might. She’s expressed a real desire for normalcy. But even if she stays on our screens, the Alana we see today is a far cry from the toddler who started it all.
If you're following her journey, the best way to support her isn't just by clicking on the latest "shocking" photo. It’s by acknowledging the work she’s put in to change her trajectory.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Followers:
- Respect the Boundaries: If you see her in Denver or on campus, remember she's there as a student, not a performer.
- Focus on the Achievement: While the weight loss is what catches the eye, her academic progress in a tough field like nursing is the real "transformation."
- Check the Source: Avoid the clickbait sites claiming she's had "dangerous" surgeries. Stick to her verified interviews with People or her own social media for the truth about her health journey.