Alana Thompson, better known to millions as Honey Boo Boo, first appeared on screen at just seven years old on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras. Fifteen years on, she's built a life that looks almost nothing like her childhood on TV.
From reality TV to nursing school
Thompson's own spin-off show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, ran for two seasons before ending in 2013, after which she largely stepped out of the public eye. Now 21, she's studying nursing at Regis University in Denver and working as a patient care technician at a Colorado hospital, with graduation expected next year.
She's previously credited her focus on education for helping her move past how people saw her growing up, telling Teen Vogue she always wanted her life to be defined by more than just her time on television.
Her plans for the future
Thompson has been in a relationship with Dralin Carswell since 2021, and has said she'd like children eventually, though not for a while, and likely no more than two. She's spoken about being cautious given the public scrutiny she faced growing up in the spotlight, saying she'd rather wait until any future children are old enough to decide for themselves how public their lives should be.
Looking back without regret
Despite moving on from television, Thompson has said she's grateful for the opportunities her early fame gave her, telling People she likes being someone others going through similar experiences can relate to. She's described her current life as simply focused on her studies and moving forward at her own pace.
