Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson has opened up about the challenges she faced as a child star. At just five years old, she rose to fame through TLC’s “Toddlers & Tiaras.” Her family later starred in their own reality series, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” which debuted in 2012.
In a recent interview, Thompson expressed that despite her visibility on popular shows, she has not benefited financially. She mentioned that her mother, known as “Mama June,” took $35,000 from her earnings during Thompson’s stint on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2019.
Shannon has candidly discussed her struggles with drug addiction, revealing that she spent nearly $1 million during her last year of using. This period significantly impacted Thompson’s childhood, leading to her older sister, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Ephard, gaining custody of her when she was 14. Thompson shared a moment when she realized something was wrong with her mother, recalling how Shannon would lock doors, which was concerning.
Thompson admitted feeling embarrassed by her mother’s addiction, especially at school. “I heard people mention my mom’s issues, and I thought to myself, ‘Great, I didn’t need to hear that,'” she recalled. Nevertheless, she focused on her education and aspirations, recognizing the need for a brighter future. “You have to get up and go to college if you want to be a nurse,” she explained.
In 2019, Shannon and her boyfriend were arrested for drug possession after a domestic incident at a gas station. This incident marked a downturn for Shannon as she began selling her possessions and ultimately lost custody of Thompson.
In 2020, Shannon and Ephard appeared on the reality show “Mama June: Family Crisis,” where Shannon discussed her journey back to Thompson’s life and acknowledged her past struggles with addiction. Shannon explained the dire financial situations they faced, mentioning their daily expenses for drugs, which reached $2,500.
Currently, Shannon is sober and working to rebuild her life, but Thompson described her feelings about their relationship: “Forgiveness was difficult. She’s my mother, and I often thought of the day she would recover. Now, we’re doing better, but I have no expectations.”
Thompson is pursuing a nursing degree in Colorado and is in a relationship with her longtime boyfriend, Doralyn Carswell, who is 24. Shannon hasn’t yet responded to inquiries about her current situation.
