Why Honey Boo Boo's Instagram Is Turning Heads

Alana Thompson, a.k.a. Honey Boo Boo, grew up before our eyes as a pageant queen on the hit TLC show Toddlers and Tiaras. If memories of that show, which was canceled in 2016, make you cringe, you're not alone. There were some very controversial moments, instigated more by parents than by the little contestants, because spray-tanning a toddler ain't everyone's cup of tea! But many of the itty-bitty stars made big names for themselves and perhaps no one had such a successful launch from the reality TV world than Alana and her family. Case in point: We got not one, but two spin-off shows in the form of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and one that chronicled her mother, June Shannon, in Mama June: From Not to Hot. Mama June has had her own tough journey as she's struggled with addiction, and so Alana isn't living with her anymore. Instead, Alana's older sister, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Shannon, is raising Alana, who's moved into her home joining Pumpkin's husband, Joshua, and their daughter, Ella. Happily, as of January 2021, Mama June is reportedly closing in on almost one year sober, and even wants to work at a treatment center. Despite these happy turns, Alana is still living with her big sis and looks like she's thriving. In fact, she's documenting her joy on Instagram, but some of her looks are turning heads. Alana Thompson shared a fun selfie with fans on Instagram in mid-January 2021. She was rocking a look with dramatic lashes and long nails, while giving the cutest pucker. But not everyone was a fan of the look, thinking it was too mature for her age. Alana was born on Aug. 28, 2005, so while she's a teenager now, some commenters seemed to think she's still too young. One person commented, "YOU DON'T NEED LASHES AND NAILS AT YOUR AGE... WHERE'S THE PARENTING AT??? BE A LITTLE GIRL PLEASE." Alana herself clapped back at this person, saying, "y'all are funny y'all think just cus y'all are hating on me ima take them off?" Others rushed in, including parents. One said, "As a parent I'd have to say 15-16 years old is appropriate to have nails and makeup done." Alana's peers jumped in too. One teen responded, "wearing nails and lashes doesn't take away your childhood, I'm 16 and wear nails and lashes and my childhood was just fine." Alana Thompson wasn't stopped for a minute by the shade she got from trolls on social media. She got busy with selfies on Instagram and shared a cute shot in the car, adding the fearless caption: "they don't like it, but they gon' respect it." Fans loved the confidence and support flooded in. One fan touched on Alana's past and the family struggles she's gone through, writing, "Alana you have grown so much... You look great considering you have to deal with... So sorry for the situation you got put through you deserve better." Alana is not shy to speak about her own situation, especially when it comes to her guardianship. When she got shade in the previous Instagram post about who was raising her, she clapped back, saying she doesn't care what people have to say about her and that she's definitely not okay with people coming after her mom or sister. She wrote, "my mom is now sober of almost a year & i couldn't be prouder of her & yes i'm raised by my sister but hey i think she doing a damn good job at it!" But this isn't even over. She got called a "hot cheeto girl" in one Instagram post and it was not a compliment. If this term is new to you, don't worry, we can explain. According to an Urban Dictionary definition of the term, "A hot cheeto girl is in at least one of your classes. she always has takis, hoops, thrasher sweatshirt, edges, acrylics and vans. She is always trying to fight people in the bathroom." But Alana didn't back down even from this. She replied, "I might be one, but I'm still a bad bleep!" While she might get some obnoxious remarks on social media, at least Alana herself is bold in clapping back and obviously has a fleet of fans who are eager to jump in and support her. #HoneyBooBoo #RealityTV #TVShows