Alana Thompson, widely recognized as Honey Boo Boo, rose to fame as the breakout star of TLC’s hit reality series Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. The show quickly gained popularity, with its pilot episode drawing an impressive 2.2 million viewers back in 2012. Over the years, Alana Thompson has remained a familiar face in pop culture, and in 2018, she showcased a different side of her personality by competing on the first season of Dancing with the Stars: Juniors.
Before capturing hearts on her own spin-off, Alana Thompson first appeared on another TLC reality show—Toddlers & Tiaras—where audiences were introduced to her bubbly charm and pageant-ready confidence at a young age. Born into a lively family, Alana Thompson is the youngest of four sisters, including Anna, Lauryn, and Jessica. Her parents are Mike Thompson and June Shannon, and she shares a close bond with her stepmother, Jennifer Lamb.
As she grew up in the public eye, Alana Thompson also began navigating personal milestones. In recent years, she started a relationship with Dralin Carswell, marking a new chapter in her life beyond the spotlight. From pageants to prime time, Alana Thompson—better known as Honey Boo Boo—has continued to evolve while staying true to her roots.
Her mom has faced quite a bit of criticism over the years for giving her what’s known as “Go Go Juice” before pageants. It’s basically a mix of Mountain Dew and Red Bull, something that raised eyebrows among parents and child advocates alike. People have questioned whether it’s really appropriate to give a young girl such a high-caffeine drink right before competing. Her mother, though, has defended the choice, saying it helps keep her focused and energetic on stage. Still, the controversy around her and the so-called Go Go Juice continues to come up whenever her early pageant days are discussed. Some see it as part of the unique upbringing she experienced, while others believe her mother may have gone too far in pushing her to perform.