Honey Boo Boo — aka Alana Thompson — has been in the public eye since she was 6 years old, and it hasn't always been easy. The child star has been on multiple reality shows starring her wild, crazy, red neck family. Her mom, June "Mama June" Shannon, has been dealing with drug addiction, crime, and money troubles for the past year. Through it all, Alana has remained strong and financially independent. All of those reality show episodes racked up quite a bit of cash for the teen, as her net worth is reported to be around $800,000. That money is all Alana's, and she's keeping it safe from her troubled mother, Mama June.
Alana was known as the chubby little girl on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras who was obsessed with her "go-go juice" — basically a combination of Mountain Dew and Red Bull. The toddler captured the world's attention, and her 15 seconds of fame grew over the past decade. Now, at 14, Alana still has a decent following on social media and in the reality TV world.
Honey Boo Boo is still in school and is just like a normal kid. Despite being on TV, the freshman in high school goes to a public school. She's going through the struggle of moving schools, because she now lives with her sister, Pumpkin Shannon, instead of their mom. Life may not be easy for Alana, but she will be stronger because of it. Even though Alana hasn't had the best role models when it comes to using money correctly, she seems to have a decent head on her shoulders.
Here are all of the ways Honey Boo Boo is working hard for her cash and saving up for a better life.
'Toddler's & Tiaras'
Honey Boo Boo revealed her outgoing personality as a toddler on TLC's Toddlers & Tiaras. TLC does not pay the pageant girls or their momagers for being on the show, but it did provide the kind of exposure Alana needed to jump start her career. There was no doubt that Alana would be a star after hearing her hilarious quotes and seeing her strut and perform on stage. Mama June was quite a character too, and people were hooked from the beginning.
Pageant Prize Money
Pageant kids get money for their hard-earned wins. Hey, it costs quite a lot to glitz up a 6-year-old. Kids have to get hair and makeup professionally done, and some of them have fake teeth called Flippers that cost at least $150 — along with thousands of dollars' worth of clothes and training. With pageants costing upward of $1,000, given all the costs associated with the endeavor, little ones would have to win to make it worth doing.
Spin-Off Series 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo'
After Alana made waves on social media over her hilarious Toddlers & Tiaras quotes, TLC picked her family to star in a reality series about her family. Alana, her siblings, and her parents were paid $50,000 per episode on the show that ran for two seasons. The family filmed a third season, but it was canceled because Mama June became involved with a convicted child molester. However, they were still paid an additional $50,000 per episode for the unaired season.
Starring in Mama June's Spin-Off Series
Alana is also reportedly paid $50,000 per episode for appearing in the latest reality series revolving on her hectic family. Mama June: From Not to Hot was about June's 300-pound weight loss and transformation. And now, Mama June: Family Crisis follows the events in the wake of June's arrest last year on drug charges.
Fashion Line
Alana started her own merchandise and T-shirt company based on her quotes and style. She sells backpacks, tumblers, mugs, T-shirts, and masks on her website, AlanaThompson.com. The teen shared that a portion of proceeds from her latest line, with the phrase Back It Up, Boo Boo, would be donated to relief related to the current global health crisis — so clearly she's making enough to give back.
Fashion Shows
In April, Alana had a style moment when she walked in a fashion show for Model Mafia LA Fashion Fest. The LA-based modeling agency is actively trying to change the fashion industry for the better and showcased different body shapes, ethnicities, and ages. Walking a runway isn't always lucrative, so it's unclear if she made any money for this particular show. However, if Alana gets into modeling, she could make a killing as an inclusive, body-positive influencer.
Personalized Fan Messages
Alana is always reaching out to her fans on social media and sending video messages. Usually, fans will pay for personalized messages on apps, such as Cameo. Prices for these personal shout-outs cost anywhere from $5 to $3,000, depending on the notoriety of the celeb — and how long the video is. Alana is probably charging somewhere in the middle based on her level of fame.
Recording & Releasing Music
In 2015, Honey Boo Boo tested out her vocal talents by recording and releasing a song called "Movin' Up." The young star even filmed a music video that featured cameos from her mom, dad, and sister. Lauryn, aka Pumpkin Shannon, was listed as a featured vocalist. It seems like this might have been a quick venture, because she didn't make anything else after this number.
Guest-Starring on 'Here Comes the Bridezilla' & 'Marriage Boot Camp'
Alana was definitely paid for appearing in guest roles on numerous other reality series. Even though her family's initial TLC reality show was canceled for disturbing reasons, it didn't stop Honey Boo Boo from continuing in the industry. The teen has been a guest star on shows such as Here Comes the Bridezilla, and Marriage Boot Camp. Although it's unclear how much Honey Boo Boo made per episode, it was probably in the same range as her Here Comes Honey Boo Boo money.
Brand Ambassador for Fab Fit Fun
Alana has nearly 1 million followers on Instagram, so as a brand ambassador, she can make nearly $10,000 per post, according to Vox. The 14-year-old has been working with Fab Fit Fun for a few months, and she has done several posts for the monthly beauty box subscription. Alana has her own manager, Gina Rodriguez, who helps her get deals like these.
Brand Ambassador for Chicken Nuggets
Honey Boo Boo is also a brand ambassador for a chicken nuggets brand. The then-6-year-old famously told Mama June that she "just can't" stay away from the nuggets. Her talent agency, BMB Talent, knows her well and got the hook-up with HomeStyle Harvest Chicken Nuggets. Each of these paid posts is likely raking in at least $10,000.
'Dancing with the Stars Juniors' Contestant
Alana made quite a the deal by competing on Dancing with the Stars Juniors. As a contestant, she made $67,500 for her time on the series. Sadly, Alana was eliminated during the Halloween episode after a Ghostbusters-themed dance earned her 21 out of 30 points. Her partner was Tristan Ianiero, and they were the fifth couple to leave the competition.
Inheriting Property From Mama June
Mama June had promised Alana and Lauryn her family home in Georgia. The girls were planning on living there together and were shocked to learn that June had sold it for a fraction of its worth. Mama June's net worth has been dropping significantly, as she's growing more and more debt by staying in casinos and trashing hotel rooms.
Protecting Money From June
Thankfully, Alana's money is protected from Mama June and is in a completely separate bank account that June cannot access. As sad as it is to say, June cannot be trusted. The troubled mother reportedly has a terrible gambling and cocaine habit that has taken over much of her life. Luckily, June appears she is ready for help, but her family is still being wary when it comes to money.
Steady Career Ahead of Her
Alana has tried multiple forays into the entertainment field with some success. She definitely has what it takes to be a television personality. Once she gets a little older, Honey Boo Boo will likely have her own reality series separate from her family. Until then, she is able to focus on her schoolwork and make decent spending cash with Instagram posts, TV show appearances, and her merchandise.
