A Timeline Look at David Beckham’s Life and Career

David Beckham’s Life and Career

From his successful career with teams such as Manchester United and Real Madrid to his many hairstyles and acute fashion sense, few athletes are more instantly recognizable than David Beckham. Even off the soccer field, Beckham continues to make headlines, whether it’s due to his marriage to Victoria or his step into soccer club ownership. Here’s the remarkable story of how Beckham rose from his humble beginnings to global superstardom.

Football Is in His Blood

Born on May 2, 1975, Beckham is the son of kitchen fitter David Edward Alan “Ted” and hair stylist Sandra Georgina. While an ordinary East London family of a humble background, Beckham and his sisters, Lynne Georgina and Joanne Louise, shared in their parents’ passion from an early age.

Football Is in His Blood

Beckham’s parents were avid Manchester United supporters who would travel a massive 200 miles from London to the stadium of Old Trafford to see their team in action. It wouldn’t take long for Beckham to inherit his parents’ love for soccer.

Proving His Worth

Hungry to make a career out of soccer, Beckham attended one of the Bobby Charlton Soccer Schools in Manchester. There, he won their National Skills Competition, affording him the opportunity to attend a training session with Spanish giants FC Barcelona.

Proving His Worth

As Beckham’s talent shone on the field, he also made sure to introduce himself to his favorite club, appearing as a mascot for Manchester United for a game against West Ham United in 1986. At the same time, Beckham’s search for a youth academy was on.

Establishing His Intent

For a while, Beckham played for a local team that was coached by his father called Ridgeway Rovers. While it gave him a chance to hone his skills, only a serious football academy would provide him the platform to launch a professional soccer career.

Establishing His Intent

After attending trials with Leyton Orient and Norwich City, Beckham was accepted to Tottenham Hotspur’s School of Excellence, however, he never represented them in a match. After playing in the Brimsdown Rovers’ youth team for two years, Beckham received the opportunity of a lifetime.

Manchester United Comes Knocking

During his time at Chingford County High School, Beckham recalled telling his teachers repeatedly of his ambition to become a professional soccer player. Having already established a name for himself with his past success, Beckham would soon grab the attention of his favorite team.

Manchester United Comes Knocking

In 1991, Beckham signed as a trainee for Manchester United. There, he rubbed shoulders with other would-be Man Utd stars such as Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes. But despite being surrounded by talent, it wouldn’t take Beckham long to stand out from the crowd.

Climbing Up the Ranks

During his time in the Man Utd youth academy, Beckham knew that he had to prove his worth in order to be considered for a place in the first team upon coming of age.

Climbing Up the Ranks

Just a year into his career, he did just that, helping Man Utd to lift the 1992 FA Youth Cup. What’s more, he scored a goal in the first leg of Man Utd’s final win against Crystal Palace. It was with that performance that Beckham proved his suitability for first-team action.

Turning Pro

On September 23rd, 1992, Beckham made his full-team debut for Man Utd, coming on as a substitute in a League Cup game against Brighton & Hove Albion. While he continued making regular appearances for the reserve team, manager Sir Alex Ferguson would soon provide Beckham with his breakthrough.

Turning Pro

On January 23rd, 1993, Beckham signed his first professional contract with Manchester United. After reaching another FA Youth Cup final and winning the league with the reserve team, Ferguson decided that Beckham was finally ready to take the next step.

Showing His Drive

In 1994, Beckham made his first full appearance for the Red Devils, starting in a League Cup game against Port Vale. That December, Beckham would have a night to remember, making his UEFA Champions League debut for Man Utd against Turkish club Galatasaray.

Showing His Drive

This was the night that Beckham left his mark, scoring his first-ever professional goal in what was a 4-0 victory. While not enough to save Man Utd from elimination in the group stages, Beckham’s performance on the night went a long way in helping him prove his worth.

Going on Loan

While he may have proven to be a talented youngster, Ferguson did not yet feel that Beckham was ready to be a regular starter in the Man Utd lineup. In order to help him polish his skills, Beckham was sent on loan to third-division team Preston North End.

Going on Loan

Beckham got his Preston career off to an impressive start, scoring twice in his first five games including a stunning goal from a corner kick. Naturally, his parent club would not allow his talent to go unnoticed.

Return to Old Trafford

Upon returning from his loan in Preston, Beckham made just four appearances for Man Utd in the 1994-95 season. While there seemed to be little place in the United line-up for fledglings such as Beckham, this would soon change.

Return to Old Trafford

After the team missed out on the league title by a single point, several major players including Paul Ince, Mark Hughes, and Andrei Kanchelskis left the club following this heartbreaking end to the season. Rather than acquire big-name replacements like many would have expected, Ferguson had other plans.

Fergie’s Fledglings

Sir Alex Ferguson placed much trust in his young players, including Beckham and his former youth academy teammates Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and brothers Gary and Phil Neville. Rather than purchase big-name stars to replace the players who departed the club, Ferguson decided to trust in his hard-working youngsters.

Fergie’s Fledglings

Already viewed as a controversial decision, a 3–1 defeat to Aston Villa on the opening day of the Premier League season saw a wave of criticism being directed at Ferguson’s decision. Over time, however, his faith would be rewarded.

Becoming Champions

Establishing as Man Utd’s right midfielder of choice, Beckham quickly established his reputation as a playmaker thanks to his precise crossing. He also proved to be a free-kick expert and decent goalscorer, grabbing seven goals and five assists in 33 league games.

Becoming Champions

While 10 points behind Newcastle at New Year’s, Man Utd’s young team, nicknamed Fergie’s Fledglings, clawed their way back to win the 1996 Premier League title. If that wasn’t enough, they won the FA Cup as well. Little did Beckham know that this was just the start.

A Spark Ignites

1996 was a special year for Beckham for several reasons. On the pitch, Beckham scored a goal from halfway against Wimbledon on the first day of the season – a moment that fans cherish to this day. He was also awarded the number 10 jersey at the club that Mark Hughes had vacated a season before.

A Spark Ignites

Off the field, however, Beckham attracted the attention of Victoria Adams, a member of the pop girl group Spice Girls. Naturally, it wouldn’t take long for “Posh Spice” to grab Beckham’s attention.

Second Title and Life With Posh Spice

In 1997, Beckham helped Man Utd retain the Premier League title, being voted PFA Young Player of the Year by his peers as a result of his heroics. Surprisingly, this wasn’t the biggest news to break out that year.

Second Title and Life With Posh Spice

Viewed as a perfect match, “Posh and Becks,” as they’d been dubbed by the media, had hit it off. So much so, that Beckham proposed to Victoria in 1998. Soon enough, the couple would provide even more news for the gossip-craving tabloids to feed on.

England Calling

With the 1998 World Cup coming up, Beckham was fighting for a spot in the England national team. Having represented England during the qualifiers, Beckham would once again play for the Three Lions in the Tournoi de France, a warmup tournament before the World Cup.

England Calling

Upon winning this small tournament, England included Beckham in the final squad for the tournament. While he did not start in either of England’s first two group games, his appearance against Columbia was one to remember.

Bend it Like Beckham

Beckham’s time to shine came when England was awarded a free kick against Colombia from 30 yards out. He whipped in the ball to score a stunning goal to hand England a 2-0 victory and progression to the knockout stages.

Bend it Like Beckham

Sadly, Beckham’s World Cup would end when he received a red card for a heavy tackle during the second-round game against Argentina. With the Three Lions losing on penalties, it seemed as if life couldn’t get any worse for Beckham. Still, this was far from the end of the road.

Overcoming Heartbreak

Beckham took England’s elimination from the World Cup particularly hard, especially since much of the media and the public directed blame for the Three Lions’ loss in his direction. Still, with the new club season underway, it was back to work as usual for Beckham.

Overcoming Heartbreak

That season, the Premier League title race was down to the wire, with Man Utd and Arsenal still neck-and-neck on the final day of the season. With United set to face Tottenham Hotspur, Beckham and Fergie’s Fledglings knew what was required of them.

Winning the Treble

With a curling strike, Beckham helped Man Utd to a 2-1 victory, securing a one-point lead over Arsenal and, most importantly, the Premier League title in the process. What’s more, the Red Devils were still in contention for the FA Cup and the coveted UEFA Champions League.

Winning the Treble

Astonishingly, Man Utd went on to win the FA Cup before coming from behind to defeat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Having been at his lowest a year earlier, Beckham had reached the summit of world football.

Tying the Knot

Aside from his success on the pitch, Beckham’s family life was coming together as well. Following his successful proposal to Victoria, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Brooklyn.

Tying the Knot

On July 4th, 1999, Becks and Posh got married, with Beckham’s teammate and friend Gary Neville serving as best man. What’s more, the couple’s four-month-old son was the ring bearer. With the grandiose wedding making headlines due to its extravagance and mammoth price tag, this was just the start of the media storm surrounding the couple.

Captaining His Country

Following England’s disappointing exit from Euro 2000, Beckham was named captain of the national team, with new coach Sven Goran Eriksson agreeing with his predecessor’s decision as the Three Lions looked to the future.

Captaining His Country

England’s qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup was an impressive one, which included a historic 5-1 victory over Germany. During the final qualifying game, Beckham scored a stunning free-kick against Greece to secure qualification, thereby completing his transformation from villain of 1998 to national hero.

Landing in Troubled Waters

While Beckham signed a $22 million contract with Man Utd in 2001 to remain at the club, his career with the Red Devils soon turned sour. In April 2002, Beckham found himself on the end of a nasty tackle that broke a bone in his left foot. This injury saw his season come to a premature end.

Landing in Troubled Waters

After recovering, Beckham lost his regular place in the team. But even as he geared up to recover his spot, a harrowing incident would occur from which there was no turning back.

Parting Ways

Following a bitter defeat to rivals Arsenal, Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly kicked a cleat that struck Beckham in the face, requiring him to get stitches. Whether intentional or not, it appeared as if Beckham was no longer content with life at Old Trafford.

Parting Ways

With the transfer window fast approaching, Man Utd made headlines as they decided to approach Barcelona to discuss the sale of Beckham to the Spanish giants. With the two clubs even going so far as to publicly announce the agreement, a last-minute U-turn disrupted the deal.

Becoming a Galáctico

Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez caught wind of the deal, swooping in with a competing deal to swoop Beckham out of Barcelona’s arms. Upon signing for the club, Beckham joined the team on their pre-season Asian tour, drawing in enormous crowds due to his popularity.

Becoming a Galáctico

Playing alongside legends such as Raúl, Zinedine Zidane, and Roberto Carlos, Beckham elevated Real Madrid’s global brand. Unfortunately, the star-studded team struggled to hit their stride. Following several managerial changes, the team hoped to have finally found its winning formula.

Finding Form

Having won the 2003-04 Spanish Super Cup, Real Madrid was hungry for more, particularly when it came to La Liga and UEFA Champions League success. Unfortunately, the team continued to be overshadowed by bitter rivals Barcelona, finishing as runners-up in 2005 and 2006.

Finding Form

While desperate to help Los Blancos to trump their rivals, Beckham had to turn his attention to the international stage, with the 2006 World Cup fast approaching. Could England improve on their performance from four years earlier?

Leading the Three Lions

By providing a cross that led to the only goal in England’s 1-0 win over Paraguay and assisting both goals in a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago, Beckham proved to be key to England’s success.

Leading the Three Lions

In the round of 16, Beckham scored a free-kick to send the Three Lions through to the quarter-finals, thus becoming the first British player to score in three World Cups. Sadly, it was not to be for the England captain, as his team lost on penalties to Portugal in the next round.

Revival

Following England’s elimination, Beckham shocked the world as he announced his decision to step down as team captain. “I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era,” Beckham explained. But while his England career may have been winding down, Beckham’s life at Real Madrid was about to get a little more interesting.

Revival

The following season, Beckham finally managed to win the elusive La Liga title. But just as life in Madrid was improving, another deal of a lifetime was on the table.

Moving Stateside

Stunned by Beckham’s recent performances and hungry to elevate the status of American soccer, MLS club LA Galaxy decided that the time had come to make a move that would stir up a media tidal wave.

Moving Stateside

The club approached Real Madrid to acquire Beckham, offering the midfielder a whopping five-year, $250 million deal. While not as high profile a club, he and Victoria knew that a move to the United States could skyrocket both of their career opportunities. Soon, they and their children were spotted stateside.

Welcome to America

Despite Real Madrid’s best effort to keep Beckham, the now A-list celebrity decided to agree to the monumental move. In fact, Beckham’s move to LA Galaxy caused such a media storm that the club sold 5,000 season tickets within 48 hours of the announcement of Beckham’s signing.

Welcome to America

By moving to America, Beckham’s influence expanded well beyond the world of sports. He soon signed a deal to launch his fragrance line in the United States, earning $13.7 million as a result. On the pitch, however, Beckham would suffer a significant blow.

Conquering the MLS

Beckham’s start to life in the MLS was a rocky one, hampered by a slew of injuries. Sadly, it was his Achilles tendon injury that would rule him out of the 2010 World Cup.

Conquering the MLS

Still, Beckham rose from the ashes, helping LA Galaxy to win back-to-back MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012. But even as he lifted his club to the greatest achievements in its history, it was the waves that Beckham made off the pitch that truly elevated his celebrity status.

A Fashion Icon

Much like his wife, Beckham had become a fashion icon, signing a deal with fashion label H&M in 2012 to launch his own line of underwear with the brand. As part of the marketing campaign, six statues of Beckham wearing H&M underwear were erected in New York City, with others being placed in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

A Fashion Icon

Meanwhile, Beckham used his influence as a member of the British delegation campaigning for the United Kingdom’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics. Beckham helped to make the UK’s dream a reality.

For a Good Cause

In 2013, Beckham signed a five-month contract with the French club Paris Saint-Germain. Following the deal, Beckham announced that all of his earnings would be donated to a local children’s charity. He subsequently helped PSG to win the Ligue 1 title, meaning that he had won league titles in four different countries.

For a Good Cause

On May 16th, 2013, Beckham brought the sporting world to a standstill when he announced his retirement from soccer. Beckham would complete the season before bidding farewell to his beloved sport.

Saying Goodbye

On May 18th, 2013, Beckham led PSG to a 3-1 win over Brest in his final-ever match. Substituted in the 80th minute, Beckham was given a standing ovation from the crowd as he made his way off the pitch and was embraced by his teammates as he emotionally waved farewell.

Saying Goodbye

As he played his final game, Beckham wore cleats with the Union Jack on them, thus showing his national pride. Upon closer inspection, it appeared as if this was not the only surprise included in his footwear.

Family First

Stitched into the pair of cleats that Beckham wore during his last ever game were the names of his wife and children. As Beckham would explain after the game, family is always a priority in his life.

Family First

“I owe everything to Victoria and the kids, who have given me the inspiration and support to play at the highest level for such a long period,” Beckham stated, additionally thanking his parents for their sacrifices. Beckham became the UK’s richest athlete, with his family at his side, earning over $46 million annually.

Growing His Legacy

While his playing days may have been behind him, Beckham’s investment in soccer was far from finished. A year after his retirement, Beckham made headlines yet again as he exercised his option to buy an MLS expansion team for $25 million; a term in his LA Galaxy contract.

Growing His Legacy

From that moment on, fans began to wonder what the name of his team would be, and more importantly, where it would be based. After four years of negotiations and planning, Beckham was ready to reveal his team to the world.

The New Kids on the Block

On September 5th, 2018, Beckham and his ownership group unveiled their team, Inter Miami CF, to the world. In addition to revealing the team crest and the management team, they revealed that the team would begin playing in the league in 2020.

The New Kids on the Block

As owner and club president, Beckham was president when his team made their official debut on March 1st. While an impressive feat, this was not the only foray that Beckham would make into soccer club ownership. Soon, he and his former Man Utd colleagues would reunite for something big.

Fergie’s Fledglings Live On

In January 2019, Beckham joined his former Man Utd teammates Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs to purchase a minority share in English non-league club Salford City.

Fergie’s Fledglings Live On

Not only did he become a part-owner of the club, but Beckham was also appointed the club’s director. But even as he continued his soccer journey, Beckham has found time to continue his charity work, continuing to be a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. If that wasn’t enough, he recently found a way to combine his two passions.

Returning to His Roots

In 2022, Beckham decided that the time had come to return to the place where it all began – the soccer fields of East London. Here, he’d combine his two passions, soccer and charity, in an effort to help future generations of soccer players.

Returning to His Roots

The TV series, Save Our Squad With David Beckham, sees Beckham return to his childhood league, where he attempts to help struggling teams improve their results. More importantly, Beckham looks to inspire promising young talents to reach for their dreams, just as he did.

Alana Thompson Is No Longer ‘Honey Boo Boo,’ and Is Speaking Her Truth

Reality television has made stars out of many people over the past few decades. Perhaps one of the most well-known of those is Honey Boo Boo — born Alana Thompson. So below, we thought we would lay out a timeline of her rise to fame.

The Beginning

Back in 2012, many people were tuning in to a reality television show called Toddlers and Tiaras. The show followed a group of young pageant-going children, their stage moms, and all the antics that came with the glam lifestyle. It was here where we first met Honey Boo Boo.

The Beginning

Spin-Off

With so many strong personalities on her first reality television show, you might think it crazy that this little pageant queen would quickly earn herself a spin-off. But, that’s exactly what happened back in 2012.

Spin-Off

She and her mother, along with the rest of their family, were soon being filmed 24/7. The reality show, which was called Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, quickly gained a devoted following.

Meet the Family

Through the original reality television show, many of the viewers had the honor of meeting Alana’s mother, June Shannon. But, when Honey Boo Boo had her own show on TLC, the world was introduced to the rest of the family as well.

Meet the Family

This included Honey Boo Boo’s father and three sisters. Thanks to their big personalities and sassy attitudes, the family continued to be a presence in people’s houses for several seasons to come.

Short-Lived TV Show

The show would be a key part of the nightly lineup for TLC for four seasons before Honey Boo Boo, and her family would be put on blast in the media. It seemed that her mother was dating someone that was a registered offender.

Short-Lived TV Show

To avoid the controversy — though Mama June denied that she was dating the person in question — TLC opted to cancel the show.

Go-Go Juice

Though the final straw was Mama June’s relationship, a lot of criticism was thrown at the family and how they lived their lives throughout the four seasons. One of the reasons was due to the beverage that Mama June refers to as Go-Go Juice — a mixture of Mountain Dew and Red Bull that Mama June would give to Alana when she did pageants.

Go-Go Juice

Along with this criticism, much was said about the family’s weight and eating habits. All of these factors led to the executives making their final choice to cancel the show.

Mama June, the Couponer

Large families across the country often utilize coupons to help them make ends meet. Because there’s a way — or loophole — in which you wind up paying almost nothing for your groceries, many people have become what we call ‘extreme couponers.’

Mama June, the Couponer

Honey Boo Boo’s mother is a big couponer and often was seen on the show passing that skill onto her daughters. This pastime is what made Honey Boo Boo’s culinary experience at home so very unique.

Catchphrases!

Honey Boo Boo became well known because of her larger-than-life personality. Her sassy attitude and big personality allowed this young lady to rise in prominence and gain popularity for some outlandish catchphrases.

Catchphrases!

Perhaps the most famous of these catchphrases may well be “A dollar makes me holler, Honey Boo child!” It was clear that Honey Boo Boo was the star of the show, and that’s why people kept tuning in.

Retiring Young

What had gained Honey Boo Boo attention in the first place was her love for the pageant life. But, in 2013, her mother announced that she would not be doing any more pageants because of her busy schedule.

Retiring Young

With all the time constraints, Honey Boo Boo didn’t have enough time to do both. And so, she and her mother decided that she would concentrate on the show and the media around that. And with that came retiring from pageants.

Missing the Stage

There were lots of questions when this announcement was made about whether or not the decision was truly made by Honey Boo Boo herself. Mama June responded to that quickly.

Missing The Stage

She knew that Honey Boo Boo would miss the stage, but she could still be in touch with all her friends. They also intended to remain fans of the industry, and it was soon clear that Honey Boo Boo was on board with this decision the whole time.

Visiting the Doctors

In 2015, Honey Boo Boo and her mother continued to make their rounds on various talk shows including The Doctors. Here, the hosts tried to explain what it meant for Honey Boo Boo’s health to be so overweight.

Visiting the Doctors

This interview, of course, didn’t go well because the young girl still wasn’t able to understand the impact that nutrition had on her body.

Weight Loss Journey

While there, the doctors went over the fact that she could suffer from severe conditions, such as asthma. In essence, the hosts — who are trained physicians — were attempting to have an intervention with Alana in order to help her with her weight loss journey.

Weight Loss Journey

To do this, they had to hone in on the fact that all of the processed food and lack of exercise contributed, and even caused, some of her health issues. But, Honey Boo Boo would have none of it.

Another Reality Television Show

Even after TLC had opted to cancel the family’s popular reality television show, they still tried to stay in the limelight. They did this in many ways — one of them being Mama June and her then-partner teaming up for a very special reality television show.

Another Reality Television Show

It must have been hard for Honey Boo Boo to watch her mother and her then-partner participate in the reality couple show, Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars.

Mom Gets Her Own Show

Two years after Honey Boo Boo’s mother appeared on Marriage Boot Camp, Mama June re-entered the public eye along with Honey Boo Boo.

Mom Gets Her Own Show

In 2017, Mama June — who had gone through an incredible weight loss transformation — landed her own show. Unfortunately, it only lasted a year, but it still put Honey Boo Boo back in the limelight.

Stepping Away From the Limelight

Gaining fame so early can be really hard on any child, especially those that don’t fit the ideal image. So, Honey Boo Boo — who now goes by her birth name, Alana — took some time away from the limelight.

Stepping Away From the Limelight

This allowed her time to experience life as a normal child. Of course, though, no matter how far she tried to step away from the fame, she was still a well-known former reality star.

Entering Social Media

It didn’t take long for Alana to understand that no matter how far she stepped away, she was always going to be a reality star. Like many other teenagers, she turned to social media — particularly Instagram — and began building relationships with her fans.

Entering Social Media

This allowed her fans to keep up with everything she was doing, all whilst living her life as a normal teenager.

She Turns 16

Though it’s been more than three years since Alana has been the subject of a reality television show, as she begins to start a new chapter of life at 16 years old, people are still interested in her life.

She Turns 16

That’s probably why one of the major teen magazines reached out to her to do a wonderful spread — in which she was able to talk about her deepest thoughts and inner feelings. Aside from that, she also discussed where she is now and what she wants for the future.

Getting a Magazine Cover

Like any other teenager across the globe, the first place that Alana turned to when she was able to announce the amazing Teen Vogue opportunity was her social media page.

Getting a Magazine Cover

Via her Instagram account, the former reality star announced that she’d be on the cover of the magazine. Alana went on to talk about how landing this gig was a dream come true that she never thought would become a reality.

Talking About Her Life

After the photoshoot was over and done with, Alana sat down with one of the journalists from the magazine and talked about her entire life — from living her life on reality TV to family issues that she has had to deal with throughout her life.

Talking About Her Life

The interview was very enlightening and gave readers a glimpse of who Alana truly is. Throughout the interview, Alana was very honest and straightforward.

Honey Boo Boo Is Not My Name

The first thing she did was set the record straight about was the fact that she no longer wanted to be called “Honey Boo Boo.” She had been born with the name Alana, and that’s what she wants to be referred to from here on out.

Honey Boo Boo Is Not My Name

So, gone are the days that viewers tune in to watch a sassy pageant-going girl named Honey Boo Boo. In her place is Alana Thompson — a sassy, confident, young woman.

Discussing Her Relationships

Of course, during the interview, Alana had to discuss not only her relationship with her mother but the rest of the family. It seems that over the past couple of years, the two have really worked on their relationship and have been able to overcome quite a lot — thanks to forgiveness.

Discussing Her Relationships

Of course, forgiveness and taking responsibility had to be done on both sides, which is why Alana and her mother are so open about the impact of her mother’s addiction on their relationship.

Discussing Her Moms Addiction

During her interview, Alana was very open about the impact that her mother’s addiction has had on her. She also stated that many people don’t understand just how much addiction can affect not only the person that’s struggling with it but also their loved ones.

Discussing Her Moms Addiction

She even admitted that at the height of her mother’s addiction, she wasn’t quite sure where she would wind up. In the end, though, both women came out on the other side.

Proud of Herself

Because of all the work that she has done over the past few years, Alana is extremely proud of herself. She went on to discuss why during her interview.

Proud of Herself

Among many things, the fact that she has been able to stay so strong and determined — even through all the trials and tribulations that her life has seen — is probably the biggest point of pride in her life.

No Honey Boo Boo Anymore

She was adamant that no matter what people thought of her, she’s no longer that little girl from 2012. Like everyone else, she has grown up and found her own way in life.

No Honey Boo Boo Anymore

That means those expectations that people may have when they initially meet her may lead to a wealth of disappointment. Honey Boo Boo is no more — Alana is the only one left.

Not What You Expect

In order to make sure that people understood what she was saying, she went into greater detail. She talked about the stereotypes that people have — all because she’s from the South.

Not What You Expect

She wants everybody to understand that she’s simply herself and all those stereotypes have nothing to do with her. Does she love doing some of the things people expect her to do? Of course, but in the end, she can only be herself.

Public High School

Alana was really excited to discuss her life as it is now. That includes public high school, where she still has to deal with certain issues that come with fame, but she has learned to ignore all of that and to just focus on herself.

Public High School

This sometimes leads to a little bit of loneliness as she has to be very careful in who she chooses to be friends with. It’s quite disheartening to learn that even though she’s been out of the limelight for so long, Alana still has to deal with the negative aspects of being famous!

Not Many Friends

The young woman was very honest about the fact that she doesn’t have many friends. Part of that is due to her fear that people only want to be friends with her because of her former title — Honey Boo Boo.

Not Many Friends

Another thing she finds is that many people think she’s well off when that couldn’t be further from the truth. Because of these two assumptions, Alana finds it difficult to form meaningful, trusting relationships with most of her classmates.

Dealing With the Fallout

Even though it’s been several years since her mother was taken into custody for possession, Alana seems to be still dealing with the fallout of this situation. When this occurred, Alana went to live with her sister, affectionately known as “Pumpkin.”

Dealing With the Fallout

This seemed to be a great move and heralded a lot of growth for Alana. Of course, once her mother got out, they began to rebuild their relationship again.

Body Shaming!

On top of dealing with tons of public scrutiny about her mother’s issues, Alana has had to deal with lots of online trolls. Though she receives a lot of positive feedback on her social media platforms, she also gets a lot of body shaming and fatphobic comments.

Body Shaming!

Of course, she handles this in stride. According to the former reality star herself, “Just because I got a little bit of extra meat on my bones, you want to hate me? she asked. “I never get body shaming.”

Social Media Negativity

But, when it comes to her social media channels and accounts, Alana’s weight isn’t the only thing that she gets negative comments about. It seems people like to pick apart other aspects of her appearance and are pretty harsh when they do.

Social Media Negativity

Other than her weight, she receives many comments about her nails and eyelashes. But, much like her weight, she shakes it off because she likes who she is.

Who Is Alana?

So, who is Alana Thompson? The young woman herself says that she’s very different from the younger Alana, who everybody seems to want to make her into. Though still a kid, she feels like everybody still pigeonholes her into that boisterous kid.

Who Is Alana?

But, she sees these two Alanas as very different people. In fact, she goes so far as to say that she likes the Alana now way better than the Alana back then.

Dancing With the Stars: Junior

She points to her 2018 appearance on Dancing With the Stars: Juniors as the birth of the new Alana. In 2018, she participated in this show after appearing on her mother’s show.

Dancing With the Stars: Junior

Alana had a great time on this show, even though she didn’t win. She remembers this because it was just before all the trouble with her mother.

Setting Boundaries

Though there were a lot of negative results that came from her being in the limelight at such an early age, there are a few positive things that came from it all — according to Alana. One silver lining is knowing how to set boundaries.

Setting Boundaries

This translates well into her personal life, where she tries to always speak her mind no matter what others think about it. It also means that she’s willing to turn things down that she’s not comfortable doing.

Composed and Unflappable

Another benefit of living life in the hectic world of reality television is that Alana is not easily annoyed by any form of chaos. She remains calm even in the most stressful of situations — a trait that many wish they possessed.

Composed and Unflappable

This is because she grew up in an unusual world where cameras and lights were always everywhere. This makes her easily adaptable!

TV Is Way Easier!

Many times, when people become famous on reality television, they are asked if this was a choice or just something that happened to them. Alana is very open about the fact that TV was not a personal choice.

TV Is Way Easier!

However, she says that it’s a good bet if you’re looking for financial security. It’s much easier than trying to find a regular job that will pay you the same amount.

I Want a Life

One thing Alana was very clear about during her interview is that she wants her own life. She wants to find a job and be able to support her future children in a respectable way. For the time being, though, television works for her.

I Want a Life

The truth is, at some point, she expects to step away and find a normal career, perhaps in nursing. Whatever it is, we’re sure that with her attitude, she will be successful.

No More Cameras

This means that at some point, perhaps in the near future, Alana intends to live a life without video cameras in her face. She wants to settle down into a normal life and raise a family without the public being involved in every aspect.

No More Cameras

This sounds like an amazing plan for her future. We just hope that the media will allow her to live this dream.

Looking to the Future

It seems that Alana has really grown up and has a clear defining image of what she sees in her future. She intends to finish high school and then go to college, where she hopes to study nursing.

Looking to the Future

Of course, the young woman also intends to move out at the age of 18, buy herself a house and a car, and begin living her adult life. This will allow her to move towards the Alana she has always wanted to be.