Toddlers & Tiaras, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
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$800,000
“You need to be on your A game. Every day. Not like, every day, but you don’t know if you’re going to be on your A game every day. A gamers...when are you gonna be on your A game? You need to be on your A game.” Out of the mouths of babes, this feisty pint-sized reality star is known for speaking her mind even at the tender age of 7-years-old when she starred in the TLC reality show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Every week viewers would tune in to listen to all kinds of silly “Honey Boo Boo-isms” that would come out of her uncensored mouth. This little cutie had nicknames for practically everything in her world, including her mother's signature dish "sketti" which was a simple combination of noodles, butter, and ketchup.
Before she and her family received their own reality television series, Alana or Honey Boo Boo as she is more often called appeared on the child pageant show, Toddlers & Tiaras. This was in 2011 when Honey Boo Boo was only 6-years-old. The reason she and her zany mother, Mama June whose real name is June Shannon, garnered so much attention was due to the completely ridiculous and hilarious things they would say. They were outspoken to the point that it was charming enough to give them their own reality series the following year. Let’s look at the talents and tribulations of Honey Boo Boo and family as they manage to stay in the reality television spotlight year after year.
Early Life and the Beginning of Her Career
When Alana or Honey Boo Boo, as she is more often called, appeared on the pageant television series, Toddlers & Tiaras she was a refreshing novelty in a world of cookie cutter pageant dolls. She stood out because of her offbeat personality that was spunky and endearing. Alana was born in 2011 to June Shannon and Mike Thompson. Her dad’s nickname is Sugar Bear.
Her parents split up in 2011 when Alana was only 6-years-old. There are reports that Mike was unfaithful to Alana’s mother and he has since remarried. That was also a big year for the mother/daughter duo. The attention they received while being on the pageant series eventually led TLC into giving them their own show. The first episode of the pageant series they were on was titled Precious Moments Pageants. There was some controversy about how Mama June used to give Alana a combination of soda and energy drinks while she was competing in the pageant. Alana used to call this “go-go juice.” Still the next reality show called Here Comes Honey Boo Boo not only featured Alana and Mama June, but also a slew of her siblings, including three of Mama June’s other children.
Alana’s sisters are Anna Cardwell, Jessica Shannon, and Lauryn Shannon. Alana is the youngest of the bunch. They all have a variety of cute and slightly silly nicknames, such as Chickadee, Chubbs, and Pumpkin. The show started in August of 2012 and lasted for almost five seasons. It was canceled during the middle of filming the fifth season after it was discovered that Mama June was involved with a man who had a criminal past.
Alana is also a young aunt to her sister’s children, Kaitlyn and Kaylee, whose mom is Anna. Kaitlyn actually had to have surgery at the age of 4-years-old to remove an extra thumb she had from birth. Alana’s other niece is Ella who is Lauryn's only child and is currently 2-years-old.
Current Projects and Family Struggles
After the cancellation of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo the family still found ways to be in the spotlight. Mother and daughter appeared on the show, Dr. Phil and The Doctors. The reason they appeared on The Doctors is that at the time they were concerned about Alana’s weight and health. This was in 2015 and at 10-years-old Alana weighed around 125 pounds, which for her height was considered clinically obese.
For the past two years the family, starting in 2017, received orders for another reality show called Mama June: From Not to Hot. The premise of this television show was to document Mama June’s weight loss surgery and total makeover. Her drastic weight loss and complete transformation captured the reality tv loving nation’s attention yet again. It was truly amazing how different Mama June looked after she lost all of the weight. She also had more surgery to remove excess skin that was left over after the significant weight loss.
The family was back for more hilarity and drama than ever before. This time the reality show aired on the television station, We TV, and just aired a third season in 2019. The last episode called The Intervention aired on May 31, 2019 and dealt with the troubled relationship that Mama June has with her current boyfriend, Geno Doak. It’s known that he has some substance abuse issues. There is also some speculation that Alana doesn’t want to live with her mother anymore while she is dating Geno.
Alana also appeared on another reality television show last year in 2018 called Dancing With The Stars: Junior Edition. Her partner was Tristian Ianeriro, a professional children’s dancer. They were eliminated on the Halloween episode after a routine that featured the music from the movie, Ghostbusters. Many of her fans tweeted how unhappy they were that she was voted off so soon. Her obvious love of dance came through in each of her performances.
Net Worth and What's Up Next for the Future
As far as Alana’s earnings go, it’s estimated that she is worth around $800,000. When the show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was on it was estimated that Alana made around $15,000- $20,000 per episode. Luckily a trust fund was set up for her at the start of her reality career, where she won’t have access to those funds until she is 21-years-old. The only time she can get into that account is if there is some type of medical emergency.
For Alana’s future it’s hard to say how long she will stay in the spotlight. Currently, at 14-years-old, she will keep making appearances on her mother’s show until her next project comes along. Right now she’s excited about turning 15 in 2020 and getting her driving permit in her home state of Georgia. As far as what she aspires to drive she says, “it’s definitely not going to be a Lamborghini, I mean if I get offered that I’m definitely going to take it, but I’m down to Earth, so maybe a Honda.”
If you want to follow her you can check out her Instagram account @honeybooboo which has around 407,000 followers. It mostly features cute selfies of Alana with some press pictures of recent appearances, like the time she was on the red carpet for the We TV premier of Bridezillas.
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