How Old Is Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson Now? The Shocking New Life Of The 20-Year-Old College Student

Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson is officially 20 years old as of December 2025, a stunning fact for fans who remember her as the sassy six-year-old on *Toddlers & Tiaras*. The former child pageant queen has completely transformed her life, trading the glitter and spotlight of reality television for the demanding curriculum of a top nursing program in Denver, Colorado. This deep dive into her current life will reveal how the reality star is navigating college, a serious relationship, and an explosive new biopic. The journey from "a dollar makes me holler" to a serious college student has been one of the most dramatic transformations in reality TV history. As of the current date, December 2025, Alana is fully immersed in her studies, pushing past the controversies and media scrutiny that defined her childhood to build a stable, professional future. Her story is a powerful testament to growing up under a microscope and finally taking control of her own narrative.

Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson: Full Biography and Current Profile

Alana Thompson, known by her enduring nickname "Honey Boo Boo," first captured the world's attention with her vibrant personality and memorable catchphrases on a controversial reality show. Her life has been a public spectacle, but she is now firmly focused on her education and personal goals.

• Full Name: Alana Thompson
• Nickname: Honey Boo Boo
• Date of Birth: August 28, 2005
• Current Age (December 2025): 20 years old
• Birthplace: McIntyre, Georgia, U.S.
• Parents: June "Mama June" Shannon and Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson
• Siblings (Half-Sisters): Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell (deceased), Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon, and Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon (her current legal guardian)
• Education: Currently attending Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
• Career Goal: Neonatal Nurse or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Nurse.
• Relationship Status: Dating Dralin Carswell (since 2021).
• Breakout Role: *Toddlers & Tiaras* (2012)
• Spin-off Series: *Here Comes Honey Boo Boo* (2012–2014) and *Mama June: From Not to Hot* / *Family Crisis* (2017–Present)

The College Life: Trading Pageants for a Nursing Degree

The biggest and most significant update in Alana Thompson’s life is her enrollment in a prestigious university. She has moved from her home in Georgia to Denver, Colorado, to attend Regis University, where she is pursuing a rigorous nursing degree program.

This was a deliberate and major life decision. Alana has stated her ambition is to become a neonatal nurse or work in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), a career choice that shows a deep commitment to caring for the most vulnerable. Her sister and legal guardian, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon, has vocally supported this move, highlighting the quality of the program Alana was accepted into.

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The move to a new state for a challenging academic career marks a clear separation from the reality TV persona she was forced to inhabit as a child. It signifies her desire for a stable, private, and professional future, far removed from the constant scrutiny of the public eye and her mother's ongoing personal struggles. The journey has not been easy, as Alana has had to balance her college workload with her ongoing filming commitments for *Mama June: Family Crisis* and the pressures of her past fame.

The Lifetime Biopic: Alana Narrates Her Own Tumultuous Story

In a major career pivot that brings her past and present together, Alana is set to narrate an upcoming Lifetime biopic about her life as a child star. The movie, titled "I Was Honey Boo Boo," offers a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of growing up famous.

The film is highly anticipated, with a previous mention of a May 17, 2025, premiere date. Alana's decision to narrate the film herself is a powerful move, ensuring that her perspective is the one the audience hears. The biopic is expected to cover the full spectrum of her tumultuous journey, from her early days on *Toddlers & Tiaras* and the success of *Here Comes Honey Boo Boo* to the family crises that followed, including her strained relationship with her mother, Mama June Shannon.

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This project is a critical element of Alana's transition into adulthood. By sharing her truth, she is actively reclaiming her identity and moving past the caricature created by the media. The movie is set to be a major talking point, focusing on the mental and emotional toll of being a reality TV child star.

Relationship Status and Family Dynamics in 2025

Alana’s personal life continues to be a topic of discussion, particularly her long-term relationship with Dralin Carswell. Despite their age difference and the occasional legal trouble (Dralin was involved in a police chase and subsequently banned from a Georgia county in late 2025), the couple remains together.

Reports from May 2025 indicated that the relationship was going well, with Alana sharing updates with her fans. Their relationship began in 2021, and Dralin has been a consistent presence in her life as she’s navigated high school graduation and the move to college. The scrutiny of their relationship is intense, but Alana has consistently defended their bond.

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The Role of Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon

The person who has had the most significant impact on Alana's recent stability is her older sister, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon. Lauryn became Alana’s legal guardian amid their mother Mama June's struggles with addiction and legal issues. Pumpkin's guardianship has provided the structure and support Alana needed to focus on her education and future. The sisters' bond is a central theme in the current reality series, showcasing a strong, protective relationship that contrasts sharply with the chaos of their past. This family dynamic is crucial to understanding Alana's current success and well-being as a young adult.

Moving Forward: A New Chapter

At 20 years old, Alana Thompson is no longer the child star who defined a generation of reality television. She is a determined college student, a young woman in a serious relationship, and a narrator of her own complex life story. Her pursuit of a neonatal nursing career at Regis University in Denver demonstrates a maturity and focus that few would have predicted. With the release of the "I Was Honey Boo Boo" Lifetime movie, Alana is closing the door on one chapter of her life and opening another—one defined by personal ambition, education, and control over her own destiny.