Honey Boo Boo Now & Then: Her Transformation From Tiaras to Teenager
The world first fell in love with Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson as a sass-spewing little beauty queen on TLC's Toddlers and Tiaras, a show focused on the world of baby beauty pageants. Honey Boo Boo, then just 6 years old but wise well beyond her years, was the series's breakout star -- all personality, makeup, and curls, and ready for her closeup with her mother, Mama June. Audiences were so obsessed with the little girl from McIntyre, Georgia, that she and her family got a spin-off show of their very own. Honey Boo Boo has grown up in front of our eyes over the years, and the transformation from tiaras to becoming a teenager has been nothing short of unforgettable (and entertaining).
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo showed the antics of this rising star away from the pageant glitz with the result being unapologetic fun mixed with a few moments of horror. Fans also got to see the rest of her clan, including dad Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson, Anna "Chickadee," Jessica "Chubs," and Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon, who altogether provided a hilarious and all-too-real look at a day in the life of Honey Boo Boo.
After four seasons, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was canceled amidst allegations Mama June was having an affair with a child molester, something she and the family denied. Since then, the family has remained in the reality TV spotlight, most recently through Mama June's return to the small screen with Mama June: From Not to Hot, a show chronicling June's dramatic weight loss.
No matter her ups and downs, it's undeniable Honey Boo Boo is part of American culture -- and for better or worse, we just can't quit this plucky, controversial little smart-mouth with golden curls.
Here's a look at Honey Boo Boo over the years in the public eye, and her transformation from a tiara-wearing beauty pageant princess to teenager.
TV Princess
Honey Boo Boo quickly became the clear breakout star of Toddlers & Tiaras. Here she is in full pageant dress making an appearance on Extra in January 2012.
Honey Boo Boo Hits The Big Time
By summer 2014, just before she turned 9, Honey Boo Boo was a bona fide star -- making appearances on iconic shows, like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Honey Boo Boo appeared alongside Mama June and dressed in a swingy leopard print skirt with a matching shirt and sandals.
Tween Stardom
Off the red carpet, Honey Boo Boo continued to keep it comfy -- with a full face of makeup -- walking around LA in January 2016. At 11, there's no denying how much Honey Boo Boo has grown up right before our eyes.
All in the Family
Just a few months later, the tween returned to Extra with a very blonde and very thin Mama June to promote Mama June: From Not to Hot.
Health Intervention
There's always been questions (and criticism) about Honey Boo Boo's weight -- with many critics body-shaming the young star in the worst of ways. This past April, Honey Boo Boo paid a visit to The Doctors to discuss her "climbing weight" and health.
Potty Mouth
In February, Honey Boo Boo turned heads with a profanity-laced video in response to critics who slammed her for trying to "act black." Needless to say, her vocabulary has grown since she was a child.
Keeping It Real
But despite all the ups and downs, fans can't help but keep rooting for the toddler they fell in love with all those years ago and the teen she's become. Alana "Honey Boo Boo" is someone we just can't stop watching. Why? Perhaps Honey Boo Boo understands something simple others don't. As she wrote on this picture she posted to Instagram a few months ago, "I may not be perfect but at least I'm not fake."
She's got a point.