From Pageant Queen To Neonatal Nurse: 7 Shocking Updates On The Current Picture Of Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson In 2025

The little girl who captured the nation's heart with her sassy one-liners and love for "Go-Go Juice" is officially an adult, and her life in late 2025 is almost unrecognizable from her reality TV beginnings. Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, now 20, has fully transitioned from child pageant star to a focused college student and has undergone a massive personal transformation, both physically and professionally. Her current picture is one of self-determination, academic pursuit, and navigating a complex family life under the relentless spotlight of reality television.

As of December 2025, Alana is making headlines for her new Lifetime original biopic, a significant personal weight loss journey, and her committed pursuit of a challenging career in healthcare. She is actively filming the latest season of the "Mama June: Family Crisis" series while simultaneously managing a demanding college schedule, cementing her status as one of the most talked-about former child stars of the decade.

Alana Thompson: Complete Biography and Profile

Alana Thompson, known professionally by her childhood nickname "Honey Boo Boo," has built a career on reality television, evolving from a viral sensation to a young woman determined to forge her own path outside the family drama.

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• Full Name: Alana Frances Thompson
• Date of Birth: August 28, 2005
• Age (as of late 2025): 20 years old
• Birthplace: McIntyre, Georgia, USA
• Known For: Toddlers & Tiaras (2012), Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (2012–2014), Dancing with the Stars: Juniors (2018), Mama June: From Not to Hot (later Mama June: Family Crisis) (2017–Present)
• Education: Graduated High School (May 2023); Currently attending Regis University in Denver, Colorado
• Current Major: Neonatal Nursing
• Current Relationship Status: Dating Dralin Carswell (since 2021)
• Guardian (Teenage Years): Older sister, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird

The Shocking Transformation: Weight Loss, College, and a New Identity

The biggest update in Alana Thompson’s life is her profound personal transformation, which she has been open about in interviews and on social media. She is actively working to shed the "Honey Boo Boo" persona and establish herself as Alana, the student and future healthcare professional.

Pursuing a Future in Neonatal Nursing

After graduating high school in 2023, Alana made the significant decision to move away from her family in Georgia to attend college in Denver, Colorado. Her chosen field is a major shock to fans: she is pursuing a degree in Neonatal Nursing at Regis University. This highly specialized and demanding career path, which involves caring for newborns with health issues, demonstrates a maturity and dedication that many did not expect from the former pageant star. She has acknowledged the rigorous nature of her studies and has been open about "struggling" to balance her academic life with her reality TV commitments.

Alana’s Significant Weight Loss Journey in 2025

Alana's appearance has changed dramatically, reflecting a commitment to her health. As of 2025, reports indicate she has achieved a significant weight loss, shedding between 50 to 70 pounds through sustainable lifestyle changes. While she initially considered a procedure like Suture Sculpt, her current transformation is largely attributed to a change in habits. This health journey is a central theme of her current public narrative, highlighting her focus on well-being as she enters adulthood.

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Despite the positive physical changes, Alana has been candid about her mental health and motivation, admitting at times to a lack of desire for strict dieting or intense gym routines, making her progress feel more authentic and relatable to her young fanbase.

The Latest 2025 Career and Relationship News

Alana's public life in 2025 is a mix of new creative projects, ongoing reality TV filming, and a stable, yet scrutinized, long-term relationship.

Biopic and Reality TV Updates

The most significant career news is the premiere of her Lifetime original biopic, "I Was Honey Boo Boo," scheduled for May 17, 2025. This project promises to give Alana a platform to tell her side of the story, addressing the complexities of growing up in the public eye and the family dynamics that defined her childhood. This move is a clear effort to take control of her narrative, separate from her mother, June Shannon (Mama June).

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Simultaneously, Alana is actively filming new episodes of Mama June: Family Crisis in Colorado, which covers her college life, her relationship with her mother, and her recent personal challenges, including a minor "banged up" car crash that occurred earlier in the year.

Her Long-Term Relationship with Dralin Carswell

Alana's relationship with her boyfriend, Dralin Carswell, continues to be a major part of her life. The couple has been dating since 2021 and remains a strong unit as of late 2025. Dralin, who is 24 years old (born April 1, 2001), has been a constant presence in her life, supporting her move to Denver for college. The age difference between them (about four years) has been a point of public debate, but Alana has consistently defended their connection and maturity.

The couple faced a public scare when Alana was involved in a car crash, which prompted her mother, Mama June, to fly out immediately to be by her side. Despite the drama, their relationship appears stable, with Alana providing a major update in May 2025 confirming they are still going strong.

The Evolving Family Dynamic: Mama June and Pumpkin

Alana's family remains a crucial entity in her life, with her relationship with her mother and sister constantly evolving under the public lens.

Mama June’s Sobriety and Support

Alana has spoken about the positive changes in her relationship with her mother, June Shannon, following Mama June's sobriety journey. While their past was fraught with tension and crisis, Mama June has demonstrated active support for Alana’s college aspirations and was quick to respond to her recent car accident. The new season of their show is expected to delve into how they are rebuilding their bond as Alana enters adulthood.

Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird: Life After Guardianship

Alana’s older sister, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird, who served as Alana's legal guardian during her teenage years, is also experiencing major life changes. Recent news indicates that Pumpkin filed for divorce from her husband, Josh Efird, after six years of marriage. Lauryn has candidly discussed the "adjustment" of becoming a single mother to their four children and has attributed an "accidental weight loss" to the stress of her divorce. This shift in her sister's life means Alana is navigating her college years while her primary caretaker is dealing with her own personal crisis, adding another layer of complexity to the Thompson family saga.

Conclusion: Alana Thompson’s Future Outlook

The current picture of Alana Thompson is one of immense personal growth and ambitious forward momentum. She has successfully navigated the transition from a polarizing child star to a young woman with clear, professional goals in Neonatal Nursing. Her dedication to her education at Regis University, her commitment to a healthier lifestyle, and her willingness to tell her own story through her biopic, I Was Honey Boo Boo, all point to a future that is entirely her own. She is no longer just "Honey Boo Boo" but Alana Thompson, a college student, a devoted girlfriend to Dralin Carswell, and a young woman focused on a life far removed from the glitter of the pageant stage.