5 Shocking Ways Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson Looks And Lives In 2025

The former child reality TV star once known as "Honey Boo Boo" is all grown up, and her life in late 2025 is almost unrecognizable from her days on Toddlers & Tiaras. As of December 12, 2025, Alana Thompson, who prefers to go by her given name, is a 19-year-old college student making headlines not for pageants or family drama, but for elite academic honors and a brand-new Lifetime biopic that chronicles her tumultuous journey from child star to young adult. This deep dive reveals the most current photos and life updates on Alana, including her serious relationship and her shocking career aspirations.

Alana Thompson is actively shaping a new identity, moving past the "Honey Boo Boo" persona that defined her childhood. Her current photos show a confident young woman who is focused on her future, balancing a public life with a determined pursuit of higher education, proving that she is much more than a reality TV footnote.

Alana Thompson: Complete Biography & Current Profile

Alana Thompson first captured the public eye with her sassy, outspoken personality on the TLC series Toddlers & Tiaras in 2012. Her distinct Southern charm and catchphrases quickly made her a cultural phenomenon, leading to her own spin-off show.

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• Full Name: Alana Thompson
• Nickname: Honey Boo Boo (prefers Alana)
• Date of Birth: August 28, 2005
• Current Age (2025): 19 years old
• Hometown: McIntyre, Georgia
• Parents: June "Mama June" Shannon and Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson
• Siblings: Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird, Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon, and Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell (deceased)
• Education: Currently attending college, pursuing a degree in nursing.
• Current Relationship: Dating Dralin Carswell since 2021.
• Notable TV Appearances: Toddlers & Tiaras, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, The Masked Singer, and Mama June: From Not to Hot (now Mama June: Family Crisis).
• Major 2025 Project: Lifetime biopic I Was Honey Boo Boo, premiering May 17, 2025.

Her transition from a child pageant queen to a young adult has been highly documented, with her older sister, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird, serving as her primary guardian during her teenage years due to Mama June's struggles.

The College Life: Academic Honors and a Nursing Career Path

One of the most surprising and impressive updates on Alana Thompson in 2025 is her dedication to her education. She has moved away from Georgia to attend college, a major step that signifies her focus on a stable future outside of reality television.

Alana is currently pursuing a degree in nursing, a career choice that is decidedly un-celebrity-like, but one that aligns with her stated desire to help others.

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In a major win for the former child star, Alana has earned elite academic honors, proving her commitment to her studies and silencing critics who doubted her ability to succeed in a traditional educational setting. This academic success is a central part of her current narrative, shifting the public focus from her childhood antics to her adult achievements.

This focus on academics is a deliberate move to distance herself from the "Honey Boo Boo" image. She has explicitly stated in recent interviews, "My mama did not name me Honey Boo Boo. My name is Alana," emphasizing her desire to be recognized as an individual.

Relationship Update: Dralin Carswell Moves to College

Alana’s long-term relationship with boyfriend Dralin Carswell continues to be a major part of her life. The couple has been dating since 2021, and their relationship has weathered significant public scrutiny due to their age difference and Dralin's legal issues.

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In a major commitment to their future, Alana revealed in a May 2025 update that Dralin Carswell is moving to college with her. This step shows that the relationship is serious and that Dralin is supporting her academic journey.

However, the relationship is not without its challenges. Dralin Carswell recently made headlines after receiving a sentence that included being banned from Monroe County, Georgia, for a year following a high-speed chase incident in which Alana was a passenger.

Despite the legal drama, Alana has consistently defended their bond, and their decision to relocate together for her college education is a testament to their commitment as a couple.

The Biopic: Alana Thompson’s 'Breaking Point' Revealed in 2025

Perhaps the most significant development for Alana Thompson in 2025 is the premiere of her Lifetime biopic, I Was Honey Boo Boo, scheduled for May 17, 2025.

This new project is a dramatic retelling of her life, promising to be raw and revealing. The biopic is expected to detail her struggles with childhood fame, the emotional neglect she felt, and the impact of her mother, Mama June Shannon's, drug addiction on her life.

Alana has been open about her "breaking point" with her mother, and the biopic will likely serve as a cathartic moment for her to fully address the difficulties of growing up in the spotlight under such stressful family circumstances.

The film is a clear signal of Alana’s transition from a participant in reality TV to a subject of a more serious, biographical work, allowing her to control her own narrative for the first time. It is a crucial piece of her current public image, showing her determination to re-contextualize her past.

Topical Authority Entities & LSI Keywords

The current photo of Alana Thompson in 2025 is a portrait of a young woman who has successfully navigated the pitfalls of child stardom. Her transformation is not merely physical—though discussions about her personal health and any potential weight loss journey remain common—but fundamentally a change in life focus. The following entities and related topics are central to understanding her current status:

• Mama June Shannon: Her complex and often strained relationship with her mother remains a key entity, especially as Mama June’s sobriety journey and their past conflicts are explored in the new biopic.
• Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird: Alana's older sister and legal guardian, who provided the stability Alana needed to focus on her education and personal growth.
• Dralin Carswell: Her long-time boyfriend, whose commitment to moving with her to college is a significant life update, despite his recent brush with the law.
• Reality TV Star: The title she is actively shedding in favor of "College Student" and "Aspiring Nurse."
• Toddlers & Tiaras: The show that launched her career and the context for her early fame.
• I Was Honey Boo Boo: The 2025 Lifetime biopic that is defining her current public narrative.
• Alana Thompson Transformation: The overarching theme of her current life, encompassing her academic success, mature appearance, and career pivot.

In conclusion, the current photo of Honey Boo Boo, or rather Alana Thompson, is a snapshot of a young woman at a major crossroads. She is a college student with elite honors, in a serious relationship, and preparing to release a biographical film that reclaims her story. Her decision to pursue nursing and her commitment to her studies show a maturity and focus that promise a future far removed from the glitz and drama of her reality TV past.