She isn't six anymore.
That is the first thing you notice when you see Honey Boo Boo now. The curly blonde ringlets and the "Go-Go Juice" are relics of a reality TV era that feels like a lifetime ago. Alana Thompson is a legal adult, a college student, and a person who has survived more public trauma before the age of twenty than most people face in sixty years.
Honestly, the transition from child pageantry to adulthood is usually a train wreck. We've seen it with countless Disney stars and reality breakouts. But Alana's story is different because it wasn't just about her. It was about a family dynamic that became a national obsession—and then a national cautionary tale.
Moving Past the Tiara
Alana Thompson's life has been lived in front of a lens since Toddlers & Tiaras first aired in 2012. Back then, she was the spunky kid from McIntyre, Georgia, who famously shouted about "dollar make me holla." It was funny. It was meme-worthy. But as the years rolled on, the laughter turned into something a lot more complicated.
When you look at Honey Boo Boo now, you aren't looking at a pageant queen. You’re looking at a young woman who has moved to Colorado to pursue a career in nursing. That’s a massive shift. She’s currently enrolled at Regis University, a private Jesuit school in Denver. Think about that for a second. The girl who grew up in a house where "sketti" (spaghetti with ketchup and butter) was a staple is now studying anatomy and physiology.
The move to Colorado wasn't just for school, though. It was a getaway. It was a chance to put literal miles between herself and the chaos of her hometown and the relentless tabloid cycle surrounding her mother, June "Mama June" Shannon.
The Weight of Family Struggles
It’s impossible to talk about Alana without talking about June. We all saw the headlines. The 2019 arrest for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia marked a dark turning point. While the cameras were rolling for Mama June: From Hot to Not (later rebranded as Family Crisis), Alana was losing her primary caregiver.
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This is where the story gets gritty. Alana ended up living with her older sister, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird. This wasn't just a temporary summer stay; Lauryn eventually gained sole custody of Alana in 2022. It’s a heavy dynamic. Imagine being seventeen and having your sister sign your school permission slips because your mother is struggling with addiction.
That's the reality of Honey Boo Boo now. She’s been very vocal about the "extra" work she’s had to do to keep her mental health intact. In interviews with outlets like Teen Vogue, she’s admitted that people still expect her to be that loud, sassy six-year-old. But she isn't. She’s quiet. She’s guarded. And honestly? She has every right to be.
Financial Realities and the "Missing" Money
One of the biggest talking points regarding Alana’s current life involves her finances. Recently, the show documented a pretty heartbreaking realization: a large chunk of the money Alana earned as a child star wasn't there when she turned eighteen.
Under the Coogan Law (which technically only applies in certain states like California), a portion of a child actor's earnings must be set aside in a trust. Since Alana filmed mostly in Georgia, the protections weren't as ironclad. When it came time to pay for college, Alana discovered that her Coogan account had significantly less than she—and the viewers—expected. Mama June claimed the money was spent on "living expenses" and taxes over the years.
It’s a classic Hollywood tragedy played out in a rural setting. Alana had to scramble. She’s been active on social media, doing brand deals and promoting her own merchandise to bridge the gap. It’s the ultimate side hustle, but for her, it’s survival.
Relationships and Public Scrutiny
Then there’s Dralin Carswell. Alana’s relationship with Dralin has been a lightning rod for criticism, mostly due to their age gap (he is several years older) and his past legal issues. People on the internet love to judge. They see Alana as someone who is "making the same mistakes" as her mother.
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But if you actually watch her, Alana defends her relationship fiercely. They moved to Colorado together. He’s been a constant presence while she navigates the stress of nursing school. Is it perfect? Probably not. Is it any of our business? Probably not that either, though that’s the price of a life on reality TV.
Why We Still Care About Alana Thompson
Why is "Honey Boo Boo" still a trending search term in 2026?
It’s because she represents a very specific American archetype. She’s the underdog. We watched her family be ridiculed for being "rednecks," and then we watched them become millionaires, and then we watched them lose it all.
When people search for Honey Boo Boo now, they are looking for a happy ending. They want to see that the kid who was once a punchline turned into a successful professional. There is a sense of collective guilt in the audience. We watched her grow up; we fueled the ratings that kept the cameras in her face during her most vulnerable moments.
The Nursing Path
The choice of nursing is interesting. It’s a grounded profession. It’s a far cry from the influencer-to-reality-star pipeline that most people in her position fall into. Alana has mentioned in several episodes that she wants to work in neonatal intensive care (NICU).
Taking care of the most vulnerable infants requires a level of empathy and discipline that many people didn't think she possessed. She’s proving them wrong. She’s maintaining a solid GPA while still filming a reality show. That’s a level of multitasking that would break most people.
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The Reality of Reality TV
We have to acknowledge the limitations of what we see. Mama June: Family Crisis is still a produced show. There are edits. There are "story beats."
When we see Alana crying about her mother's absence, that's real emotion, but it’s also a scene. The "Honey Boo Boo" brand is a double-edged sword. It pays the bills, but it also tethers her to a version of herself that she’s clearly outgrown. She’s trapped in a loop where she has to talk about her trauma to afford the education that will eventually allow her to leave the trauma behind.
It's a paradox.
Alana recently shared on her Instagram that she feels like she’s finally "finding her own voice." She isn't just the kid from McIntyre anymore. She’s a resident of Colorado. She’s a college student. She’s a sister who is closer to her nieces and nephews than she is to her own mother at times.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you’ve been following Alana’s journey and want to support her—or simply understand the landscape of child stardom better—here are the takeaways:
- Support her independent ventures: If you want to see her succeed without being reliant on her mother’s drama, her personal brand and merchandise are her direct sources of income.
- Recognize the "Coogan" gap: Alana’s situation is a huge reminder of why child labor laws for reality TV stars need to be updated. Support legislation that protects "kid-fluencers" and reality stars in states outside of California.
- Respect the boundaries: She’s a nursing student now. If you see her in the wild, remember she’s a person trying to pass a chemistry exam, not just a character from a GIF.
- Look at the sister dynamic: The real "hero" of the story often goes unsung. Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird stepped up when she was barely an adult herself. That family bond is what actually saved Alana.
Alana Thompson’s story is still being written. It’s no longer about pageants or catchphrases. It’s about a young woman trying to break a cycle of addiction and poverty that has haunted her family for generations. Whether she finishes that nursing degree or stays on TV, she’s already done the hardest part: she survived her childhood.