You’ve seen the headlines, the dramatic weight loss photos, and the courtroom drama that feels like it’s been on loop for a decade. But honestly, the mama june current situation in early 2026 is a far cry from the "Honey Boo Boo" days of pageant dresses and cheese balls. June Shannon is currently living a life defined by two very different things: a massive legal victory and a grueling health battle that she’s finally being honest about.
She’s no longer the chaotic figure wandering through a casino. Instead, June has settled into a role that many never saw coming—full-time guardian to her granddaughter, Kaitlyn.
The Custody Battle for Kaitlyn: Where Things Stand Now
The biggest news in June’s world right now is the aftermath of her major legal win. Following the tragic passing of her eldest daughter, Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, in late 2023, a messy tug-of-war broke out over Anna's daughter, Kaitlyn. Michael Cardwell, Anna’s ex-husband, fought hard for custody. However, the courts ultimately sided with June.
In late 2024 and through 2025, the judge finalized the ruling. June was granted full legal and physical custody of Kaitlyn.
Why? It came down to a few gut-wrenching details:
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- A family therapist testified that Kaitlyn specifically asked to stay with June.
- The court found that June provided the stability the pre-teen needed during her grief.
- There was a history of friction between Anna and Michael that influenced the judge's decision.
It’s a heavy load. June has admitted on social media and in recent interviews that "parenting a pre-teen" in her mid-40s wasn't exactly the plan. But she’s doing it. She and her husband, Justin Stroud, are now the primary parental figures for a girl who just lost her mother.
Health, Weight Loss, and the "Ozempic" Truth
If you look at the mama june current photos from early 2026, you'll notice she looks significantly different than she did two years ago. For a long time, the "From Not to Hot" star was riding the weight loss surgery wave. Then, she hit a wall. She actually gained back about 130 pounds after her initial transformation.
Recently, June went public about using semaglutide (often known by the brand name Ozempic) to jumpstart her health again.
But here is the twist: she actually stopped taking the shots.
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By mid-2025, June told Us Weekly that she moved away from the injections because they were just a "stepping stone." She’s now focused on what she calls a "lifestyle change." Basically, she’s trying to eat high-protein meals—think grilled chicken, eggs, and Greek yogurt—and keep her calories between 1,200 and 1,500. She’s learned the hard way that surgery and shots don’t fix the emotional eating that comes with reality TV stress.
The Strained Relationship with Alana (Honey Boo Boo)
While June has found a rhythm with Kaitlyn, things with her youngest, Alana, are... complicated.
Alana is now 20 years old and living her own life, largely in Colorado for college. The rift between them really stems from money. Fans of Mama June: Family Crisis saw the explosive confrontation where Alana realized a huge chunk of her childhood earnings was gone.
As of early 2026, they are "speaking," but it's not exactly warm and fuzzy. Alana has been very vocal about needing her mother to be an adult first and a "friend" second. She’s also busy supporting her boyfriend, Dralin Carswell, through his own ongoing legal issues.
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Is Justin Stroud Still in the Picture?
Yes. Despite the rumors that they were headed for divorce court every other week, June and Justin are still together. They’ve been married for about four years now.
Justin has been a polarizing figure for fans. Some see him as a stable force who helped June stay sober; others are skeptical of his past. But during the custody battle for Kaitlyn, Justin stepped up in a way that even June’s daughters, Lauryn (Pumpkin) and Jessica, had to acknowledge. He’s been the one driving Kaitlyn to school and helping navigate the "new normal."
What Most People Get Wrong About June's Recovery
People love to judge June Shannon. It’s easy to look at her past drug arrests and think she hasn't changed. But those close to the production of her WE tv show suggest she’s been sober for years now.
The real struggle she faces today isn't addiction to substances; it's the addiction to the spotlight. Living your life in front of cameras for 15 years does something to your brain. She’s trying to balance being a "matriarch" with the reality that her family is fractured.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you’re following the mama june current saga, keep an eye on these specific developments:
- Watch the New Season: Mama June: Family Crisis is slated to continue airing through 2026 on We TV. This season focuses heavily on June and Justin’s attempt to buy a larger home in Alabama to accommodate their growing "household."
- Verify Social Media Claims: June is very active on TikTok Live. While she often "rambles" (leading to those pesky drug rumors), she usually clarifies her health and family status there first.
- Monitor the Custody Updates: While June has full custody of Kaitlyn, Michael Cardwell still has a relationship with his biological daughter, Kylee. The separation of the two sisters remains a major point of contention in the family.
The "Redemption" arc is a long one. June isn't the villain she was in 2019, but she isn't a saint either. She’s a grandmother trying to raise a grieving child while navigating her own health and a very public, very messy family history.