Alana Thompson, once known as “Honey Boo Boo,” is now 19 and focused on becoming a nurse. In her new Lifetime biopic I Was Honey Boo Boo, she opens up about the struggles of growing up in the spotlight and her difficult family past.
Thompson rose to fame at age 5 on Toddlers & Tiaras, leading to her own show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. But behind the scenes, life was tough. She dealt with her mother’s drug addiction, lost access to earnings from TV, and often had to fend for herself. “I had to figure it out on my own,” she shared.
Today, Alana is a college student in Denver and proud to be the first in her family pursuing a degree. “To be a college student means a lot to me,” she told People. Fans are applauding her strength, calling her “kind, forgiving, and determined.”
She says her relationship with her now-sober mom is improving. “We’re in a really good spot,” Alana added. I Was Honey Boo Boo airs May 17.
