5 Shocking Updates On Honey Boo Boo Today: Alana Thompson’s Life As A College Student In 2025

Alana Thompson, the former child pageant star known globally as "Honey Boo Boo," has successfully transitioned from the chaotic spotlight of reality television to a quiet, focused life as a young adult. As of late December 2025, the 19-year-old is no longer the little girl sipping "Go-Go Juice" but a determined college student chasing a serious career goal. Her life is a dramatic departure from the days of *Toddlers & Tiaras* and *Here Comes Honey Boo Boo*, marked by academic pursuits, a serious long-term relationship, and navigating profound family challenges.

Her journey has recently been chronicled in a new special, and she continues to make headlines with major life updates, including a recent, frightening incident. The following is a deep dive into the most current, fresh, and essential details about Alana Thompson’s life today, including her educational path, her relationship with her mother, and the quiet life she now leads far from the Georgia drama.

Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson: A Full Biography & Profile

• Full Name: Alana Frances Thompson
• Known As: Honey Boo Boo
• Date of Birth: August 28, 2005
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 20
• Birthplace: McIntyre, Georgia, U.S.
• Parents: June "Mama June" Shannon and Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson
• Siblings (Half-Sisters): Anna "Chickadee" Thompson (deceased), Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird
• Education: Currently a college student (Nursing Program)
• Career: Former Child Pageant Contestant, Reality Television Personality, Current College Student
• Notable Shows: *Toddlers & Tiaras*, *Here Comes Honey Boo Boo*, *Dancing with the Stars: Juniors*, *Mama June: From Not to Hot*
• Current Relationship Status: Dating Dralin Carswell (since 2021)
• Recent Project: Lifetime special *I Was Honey Boo Boo* (Premiered May 2025)

1. Her New Life as a College Nursing Student

The biggest and most substantial change in Alana Thompson’s life is her commitment to higher education. After graduating high school, Alana Thompson enrolled in a college program to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse.

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This path is a calculated move away from the reality TV star persona, emphasizing a desire for a stable, private career. She has openly discussed the difficulties of being a child star and the pressure that came with it, stating that her college dream is something she has always wanted.

To fully embrace this new chapter, Alana has made a significant geographical shift. Reports indicate she is now living in a humble rental home in Denver, a location intentionally far from the family drama and the familiar environment of Georgia. This physical distance is a clear sign of her determination to prioritize her studies and mental well-being over the constant demands of the spotlight and her complicated family dynamics.

2. Major Relationship Update with Boyfriend Dralin Carswell

Alana’s relationship with her boyfriend, Dralin Carswell, remains a central part of her life. The couple has been dating since 2021, and despite their age difference—Dralin is four years older—their relationship appears to be strong and stable as of 2025.

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The pair have faced public scrutiny, which is common for any celebrity relationship, but they have maintained their commitment to each other. In a recent update, Alana confirmed that things are going well, suggesting that Dralin Carswell is a supportive presence during her transition to college life and her move to Denver.

Their enduring partnership contrasts with the instability Alana often experienced growing up, offering her a sense of normalcy and continuity as she focuses on her new career path and adult responsibilities.

3. The Shocking Car Crash and Mama June’s Revelation

In a frightening piece of news that broke in September 2025, Alana Thompson was involved in a horrific car crash. The incident was revealed publicly by her mother, Mama June Shannon.

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While details about the full extent of Alana's injuries or the circumstances of the crash are not fully public, the fact that her mother shared the news highlights a recent and serious event in Alana’s life. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges she faces outside of her academic life, even as she tries to maintain a low profile. The news of the crash quickly went viral, bringing Alana back into the headlines for a serious, non-TV-related event.

4. The Impact of Sister Anna "Chickadee" Thompson's Death

A tragic event that profoundly affected the entire Shannon-Thompson family was the death of Alana's sister, Anna "Chickadee" Thompson, who passed away from cancer. Anna's heartbreaking loss has had a significant, albeit somber, effect on the family's dynamics.

Alana has shared that the tragedy helped to bring the family closer together, despite their complicated history and strained relationships. This shared grief and the need for mutual support have been instrumental in the recent, albeit fragile, reconciliation between Alana and her mother, Mama June. The family is navigating this loss together, a process that has been documented in their ongoing reality television presence and public statements.

The renewed connection with Mama June, who is now reportedly sober, is a major development. While their relationship remains complicated, they appear to be on better terms in 2025, a year after a reported falling out over money.

5. Her Candid New Documentary: "I Was Honey Boo Boo"

In May 2025, a new Lifetime special titled *I Was Honey Boo Boo* premiered, offering an unfiltered look at Alana’s life and her experience growing up as a child star.

This documentary is significant because it allowed Alana to directly address her "child star nightmare" and her breaking point with reality television. It provides her perspective on the tumultuous journey from *Toddlers & Tiaras* fame to her current life, focusing on her determination to shed the "Honey Boo Boo" persona and establish a serious future. The special serves as a definitive statement on who Alana Thompson is now: a young woman determined to control her own narrative and future, separate from the caricature that made her famous.

The project is a powerful tool for Alana to tell her story on her own terms, highlighting her maturity and her focus on becoming a nurse. It is a key piece of media that defines her transition from a reality TV fixture to a young adult with serious, non-entertainment-based ambitions. Her willingness to open up about her life post-fame resonates deeply with fans and critics alike, providing a fresh and unique perspective on the true cost of childhood celebrity.