Fans of reality TV have been both surprised and proud after finding out what Alana Thompson, the breakout star of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, is doing with her life over a decade after the show first hit TLC.
Thompson was just seven years old when she starred in her own reality series, which gave audiences a look at her life competing in child beauty pageants.
The series aired for two seasons before wrapping up in 2013. Now, 12 years later, people are still interested in what Thompson’s been up to since those early TV days.
Thankfully, Thompson gave everyone an update during a brand-new interview with People published this week. In it, she reflected on her experience growing up in the spotlight and shared what her world looks like today at 19.
In the interview, she opened up about how many people may think they know her, but there’s actually so much more going on behind the scenes that the cameras never caught.
She expressed that she feels grateful for her TV past because it led to many opportunities. While she does wish some parts of her personal life had stayed out of the spotlight, she's also happy that so many people feel a connection with her.
Thompson then talked about her current life path and revealed that she’s now stepping into the healthcare world.
She said: "I really do like being able to be the person of like, 'Oh well her life is just like mine'. Like 'Honey Boo is just like me'. That's so crazy and I like for people not to feel alone."
"Right now I am a nursing student in college in Denver. I'm 19, I'm just living my best life and like, I'm just chilling, you know."
She shared that becoming a nurse has been a long-time dream of hers, and that she’s fully committed to her studies. Most of her time is now spent either at home or buried in books at the library. She added: "Literally my whole life is study, study, study."
"To be a college student means a lot to me," she said. "When I graduate college I will be the first one in our family to have an actual college degree."
Her update struck a chord with fans, and one person wrote in support: "When she said she'll be the first one to have a college degree in her family really moved me. So happy for her. We're all cheering you on, girl."
Someone else added a sweet message of encouragement: "She seems kind, forgiving, hard-working, and determined. She's gonna be an amazing nurse."
This heartwarming interview comes just before the release of her upcoming Lifetime biopic, I Was Honey Boo Boo, which is set to premiere on May 17.