Narrated by Alana Thompson, I Was Honey Boo Boo offers a glimpse into what happened behind the scenes from her perspective and reveals how her on-screen confidence concealed the harsh reality of constant criticism and family struggles, particularly with her mother, Mama June.
Alana first rose to fame at the age of six as a pageant princess on Toddlers & Tiaras, where she became known as “Honey Boo Boo.” As the world discovered Alana and her colorful family—led by her mother, Mama June—her dynamic persona captivated audiences and caught the attention of producers, catapulting her and her family to meteoric stardom as reality TV stars. But behind closed doors were forced smiles, silent tears, and the lingering sense of uncertainty for what the future held for Alana and her family. After a series of scandals and legal troubles, Alana’s world was turned upside down and she was ultimately placed in the care of her older sister, Pumpkin. Now in college, Alana is determined to shake off the labels that have followed her, shed light on the darker side of child stardom, and forge a path to overcome generational trauma and challenges.
Vale Cooper (Happy Face) plays the “Young Alana” and Isabelle Ayres stars as Alana, when she is older. Mia Turley stars as the “Young Pumpkin,” while Georgia Small (A Christmas Number One) plays older Pumpkin, Neil Chinneck stars as Sugar Bear, and Mama June is played by Chelsea Larkin (The Second City). Katie Boland directs from a script written by Emily Silver.