Alana Thompson isn't that kid in the pageant dress anymore. Honestly, if you haven't kept up with the family since the Toddlers & Tiaras era, seeing pictures of honey boo boo now might actually give you a bit of whiplash. She’s twenty. Let that sink in for a second. The girl who popularized "Go-Go Juice" and "a dolla makes me holla" is a literal adult navigating college life, public breakups, and a family dynamic that remains, to put it mildly, complicated.
It's weird. We’ve watched her grow up through a lens that was often judgmental or exploitative. Now, her Instagram feed looks like any other Gen Z influencer, filled with long lashes, acrylic nails, and graduation photos. But there’s a deeper story behind those pixels.
The evolution of Alana Thompson's public image
Most people still have this frozen-in-time image of a six-year-old with a spray tan. That’s the power of reality TV syndication. However, the pictures of honey boo boo now tell a story of a young woman trying to reclaim her identity from a caricature.
After Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was abruptly canceled in 2014, Alana didn't just vanish. She transitioned into Mama June: From Not to Hot (later rebranded as Family Crisis). We saw her go through the awkward middle school years and the painful teenage era where her mother, June Shannon, struggled openly with substance abuse. You can see the shift in her eyes in photos from that period; there’s a visible weight there that wasn’t present in the early TLC days.
By 2024 and 2025, the imagery shifted again. She graduated from Wilkinson County High School in 2023—yes, there are plenty of photos of her in her yellow cap and gown—and moved on to Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She’s studying nursing. It’s a sharp pivot from the "Hollywood" path many expected her to take. Seeing her in a dormitory setting or posing on a campus quad feels strangely grounded for someone who grew up in the eye of a media hurricane.
Why her physical transformation sparks so much debate
Public reaction to her appearance hasn't always been kind. It’s actually been pretty brutal. Alana has been open about her struggles with weight and the pressure of being a public figure. She’s frequently faced body-shaming comments on her social media posts, which she often addresses with a level of sass that reminds us she’s still the same kid who stood up to pageant judges.
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She’s experimented with her look quite a bit. You’ll see her rocking bold makeup, vibrant hair colors, and fashion choices that lean heavily into current streetwear trends. Some critics claim she’s "grown up too fast," but that’s a common refrain for child stars who were never allowed a normal childhood in the first place. When you look at pictures of honey boo boo now, you're seeing someone who has spent over a decade having her body and face analyzed by millions of strangers. That does something to a person's self-expression.
Life in Colorado and the break from Georgia
The move to Denver was a massive deal. It wasn't just for school; it was about distance. Most of the recent photos she shares aren't from the familiar swampy landscapes of Georgia, but from the mountains and urban settings of Colorado.
She moved there with her boyfriend, Dralin Carswell. Their relationship has been a focal point of recent seasons of their reality show and a fixture in her social media presence. Despite the controversy surrounding their age gap when they first started dating, they appear to be a staple in each other's lives. Photos of them together usually show a more relaxed, "off-duty" Alana. She isn't always glammed up for the cameras anymore. Sometimes she’s just a student in a hoodie.
The financial reality behind the photos
There is a darker side to the recent updates. In 2024, a major plot point in their reality series involved Alana discovering that a significant portion of her childhood earnings was missing. This wasn't just a scripted drama; it was a real-world crisis that many child actors face.
She had worked since she was a toddler, yet as she prepared for college, the "Coogan account" (or the Georgia equivalent) didn't have the funds she expected. This adds a layer of necessity to her current social media presence. When you see her posting sponsored content or "link in bio" style photos, it’s not just for clout. It’s likely her primary source of income as she navigates a very expensive nursing program.
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She’s basically an entrepreneur now. Her Instagram isn't just a diary; it's a business. This is a nuance often missed by casual observers who just want to see "how she looks." Every photo is a brand touchpoint.
Comparing the "Honey Boo Boo" brand to Alana Thompson the person
There is a distinct line between the brand and the human.
- The Brand: Glitter, pink, loud catchphrases, and chaos.
- The Human: A 20-year-old nursing student dealing with family trauma and financial independence.
People go searching for pictures of honey boo boo now hoping to find a train wreck. Instead, they mostly find a young woman who is trying incredibly hard to be normal. Or at least, as normal as you can be when your mother’s wedding and subsequent legal issues are filmed for a national audience.
She’s much taller than people expect. She has a much more reserved demeanor in interviews than her six-year-old self. She’s also become a primary support system for her niece, Kaitlyn, following the tragic passing of her sister, Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, in late 2023. The photos from Anna’s final months and the subsequent family gatherings show an Alana who has had to step up as an adult far sooner than she should have.
The impact of Anna’s passing
You can't talk about the Thompson family currently without acknowledging the loss of Anna. This changed the family dynamic entirely. The photos from late 2023 and throughout 2024 show a family in mourning. Alana has been vocal about the pain of losing her sister to adrenal cancer. It’s a sobering reminder that behind the reality TV tropes, these are real people experiencing profound grief.
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In these moments, the "Honey Boo Boo" persona completely vanishes. The photos shared during this time weren't about "looking good" for the fans; they were about survival and family unity. It’s probably the most authentic the public has ever seen her.
What’s next for Alana?
She’s currently balancing a heavy clinical rotation with a filming schedule. It’s an exhausting pace. Most fans are rooting for her to finish that degree and maybe, just maybe, step away from the cameras for good if that’s what she wants.
But the reality is that the fame is a safety net. It’s what pays the bills while she’s in school. It’s a catch-22. To afford a life away from the spotlight, she has to stay in it.
If you’re looking for the latest updates, her official social media channels are the only place to get the real story. Tabloids often use outdated or manipulated photos to drive clicks, but her personal posts give a much clearer picture of her day-to-day life. She’s active on TikTok and Instagram, frequently doing "get ready with me" videos that offer a glimpse into her personality that the edited reality shows often miss.
Actionable steps for following her journey responsibly:
- Check the source: When you see "shocking" photos of her in the news, check the date. Outlets often use photos from five years ago to make "transformation" claims.
- Support her nursing journey: If you want to see her succeed outside of entertainment, engage with the content where she talks about her education and career goals.
- Respect the boundaries: Understand that while she’s a public figure, she’s also a college student. The "Honey Boo Boo" character is a role she played as a child, not her entire identity as an adult.
- Look for the nuance: Recognize that her physical changes are a natural part of growing up, compounded by the stress of being in the public eye.
Alana Thompson has spent her entire life being what other people wanted her to be. Whether it was a pageant queen, a reality star, or a punchline. The pictures of honey boo boo now represent her first real attempt at being herself. It might not always be "polished" or what the "fans" want, but it’s real. And in the world of reality TV, real is a rare commodity.