5 Shocking Ways Honey Boo Boo (Alana Thompson) Is Transforming Her Life Today At 20

Alana Thompson, the reality star famously known as "Honey Boo Boo," is no longer the child beauty pageant contestant who captivated the world on Toddlers & Tiaras. As of December 2025, the now 20-year-old is undergoing a profound and deliberate transformation, actively shedding her reality TV persona to forge a new path in higher education and a surprisingly challenging personal life. Her journey represents a significant shift from the chaotic spotlight of her youth to the focused pursuit of a career in the medical field, a move that has garnered both praise and intense scrutiny from fans and critics alike.

The current chapter of Alana's life is defined by a commitment to her future, a complicated family dynamic, and a very public relationship that continues to make headlines. Having graduated high school in 2023, she is navigating the demanding world of college while simultaneously dealing with the lingering effects of childhood fame and the loss of a beloved sister, all under the relentless gaze of the public eye. This is the definitive, most up-to-date look at what "Honey Boo Boo" is doing today.

Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson: Biography and Profile

Alana Thompson rose to prominence as a breakout star on the TLC series Toddlers & Tiaras before landing her own spin-off, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Her catchphrases and vibrant personality made her a cultural phenomenon. Today, she is focused on her education and career goals.

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• Full Name: Alana Thompson
• Nickname: Honey Boo Boo
• Date of Birth: August 28, 2005
• Age (as of December 2025): 20 years old
• Birth Place: McIntyre, Georgia, USA
• Parents: June "Mama June" Shannon and Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson
• Siblings: Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell (deceased), Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird, Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon, and half-siblings on her father's side.
• Education: High School Graduate (2023), Current College Student (Nursing Program)
• Estimated Net Worth: Varies, generally cited between $100,000 and over $400,000 (as of 2024)

The College Journey: From Pageants to the PICU

Alana Thompson's most significant and current life update is her determined pursuit of a college education, a path she has stated is her priority. She has made it clear that she is focused on shaking off the "Honey Boo Boo" image and building a professional career.

A Focus on Nursing and Higher Education

After graduating high school in 2023, Alana enrolled in a nursing program. Her goal is to become a registered nurse, with a specific interest in critical care.

• University: Alana was accepted to Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
• Program: She is attending the Loretto Heights School of Nursing.
• Career Goal: Her stated ambition is to work as a neonatal nurse or a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), driven by a desire to help people.

This commitment to a demanding field like nursing shows a maturity and dedication that many fans have praised. The move to Denver, a major change from her Georgia roots, signals a strong desire for independence and a fresh start away from the intense media scrutiny of her family's reality TV ventures.

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Relationship Drama and The Latest Dralin Carswell Update

Alana’s personal life, particularly her relationship with boyfriend Dralin Carswell, has been a consistent source of media attention. The couple has been dating since 2021, and their age gap has often been a topic of public debate.

A Relationship Under Scrutiny

In 2023, Alana announced her intention to live with Dralin while attending college, a decision that sparked further controversy. Despite the public attention, she has consistently given updates that the relationship is going well, with a May 2025 update confirming their stability.

The November 2025 Incident

The most recent and concerning update regarding her boyfriend broke in late 2025. Dralin Shermar Carswell was involved in a high-speed chase incident where Alana was a passenger in the car. As a result of the legal proceedings, Carswell was banned from Monroe County for a period of one year. This incident places a significant strain on Alana’s college life and her attempts to maintain a low profile, as it brings renewed negative attention to her personal choices. The ongoing drama surrounding Dralin Carswell is a major factor in Alana's current life narrative.

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Family Dynamics and The Impact of Loss

The Thompson-Shannon family's dynamic has always been complex, and recent events have both strained and strengthened their bonds. Alana continues to have a complicated, on-again, off-again relationship with her mother, June "Mama June" Shannon, which has been a central theme in their reality shows.

Rebuilding the Bond with Mama June

While their relationship has been fraught with challenges, including financial disputes that were recently highlighted in a March 2024 episode of their show, both Alana and Mama June have been working to rebuild their connection. Mama June has expressed pride in Alana's college achievements, despite the historical issues between them.

The Profound Loss of Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell

The devastating loss of Alana’s older sister, Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, to cancer in late 2023 had a profound and lasting impact on the entire family. Alana has spoken about how this tragedy helped to bring the often-estranged family members closer together, giving them a renewed perspective on the importance of family support. This shared experience of grief and remembrance is a foundational element of the family's current dynamic and Alana's personal growth.

Honey Boo Boo's Financial Status and Future Outlook

Despite stepping away from the intense production schedule of reality television, Alana Thompson's financial status remains a topic of public interest, especially as she pays for her out-of-state college tuition. Her net worth is a result of her decade-plus career as a reality TV personality.

Navigating Her Net Worth

The estimates of Alana's net worth vary widely, with some sources placing her around $100,000 and others suggesting figures exceeding $400,000 or even $500,000 as of 2024. This money, largely earned as a child star, is what she is reportedly using to fund her college education and move to Denver. The financial independence gained from her reality TV career is what has allowed her to pursue her dreams of becoming a nurse.

A Future Beyond Reality TV

Alana Thompson is determined to make her future career independent of her past fame. Her focus on neonatal or PICU nursing is a clear indication that she wants a stable, professional life outside of the constant scrutiny of reality television cameras. While she has acknowledged she would be open to filming a reality show about her college life, her primary goal remains her studies and a career focused on helping others.

The journey of Alana Thompson today is a compelling story of an individual trying to transition from a highly commercialized childhood persona to a self-sufficient adult. She is actively defining her own success, one college semester at a time, proving that "Honey Boo Boo" has grown up and is ready for a life far removed from glitter and beauty pageants.