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‘Honey Boo Boo’ Reveals Heartbreaking Reality Of Being A Child Star

‘Honey Boo Boo’ Reveals Heartbreaking Reality Of Being A Child Star

Alana Thompson is on the cusp of 16 and is looking to shed the character of her past.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

People probably won't immediately recognise the name Alana Thompson, however they will definitely remember Honey Boo Boo.

The child pageant queen starred in Toddlers and Tiaras way back in 2012 and became an instant hit.

Producers were so wrapped up in her adorable and hilarious personality that they commissioned a whole reality TV series about her and her family called Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.

Alana was memed, GIFed, parodied and was quickly inserted into the cultural canon.

However, being in the spotlight at the age of 6 has proved difficult for Alana as she's progressed into her teens.

In an interview with Teen Vogue, Alana, who turns 16 this week, said it's been hard trying to be a normal kid when everyone in the world knows your name.

"I feel like folks are so much like, 'Oh, my God, I'm friends with Honey Boo Boo,'" she said. "To be honest, I do not have many friends. At all. I don't trust nobody really, so I don't have friends.

"My mama did not name me Honey Boo Boo. My name is Alana."

The teenager has worked out a way to see whether people are befriending her just to get close to a reality TV star. She watches for them to mention Honey Boo Boo or if they avoid paying for anything, thinking she must be rich from all her fame.

The 15-year-old explained how she feels like she has shed the character of her past and is trying to make a name for herself that isn't stooped in funny catchphrases.

"They are completely two different people," she tells Teen Vogue. "I would say that I do like this Alana now, rather than the younger Alana.

"I don't ever look at people and I'm like, 'Oh, I wish I was like her'. Because I don't ever wish to be like nobody. I am my own person."

TLC

She's hit back against trolls who criticise her on her appearance and her weight. Alana feels proud of her 'banging body' and wants people to keep their opinions to themselves.

Her 21-year-old sister, Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Shannon, became the teen's legal guardian when their mother June was arrested for drug possession in 2019.

The former child star has opened up on how drug use has plagued her family.

"A lot of folks in this world do not realise how many people are actually really affected by drug and alcohol [use] ... It's very, very hard. It's something I'd wish on nobody, for real," she said.

"When my mama got real bad with her [drug use], I didn't know where I was going to end up. I'm proud of myself for how far I've come."

She's hoping to get straight A's as she goes through high school and is looking forward to the day when she can become a nurse after graduating from college, buying a house and a car.

Featured Image Credit: TLC

Topics: Entertainment, Celebrity