by Sydney Perkins |

Everyone is talking about the surprising new hit series Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. But who is this so-called Honey Boo Boo child? If you watch her reality TV show, you will learn her name is Alana Thompson and she’s just like every other six year old… for the most part.

Originally born in McIntyre, Georgia this small town girl has become an Internet sensation. She first debuted on the hit show, Toddlers and Tiaras. After a clip on the show went viral, she has become a household name.

Alana is mostly known for her wild  over-the-top attitude, not to mention her memorable catch phrases. Her family is comprised of her dad Mike (Sugar Bear), mom June, and her three sisters, Lauryn (Pumpkin), Jessica (Chubbs), and Anna (Chickadee). And I can’t forget to mention Alana’s beloved pet pig, Glitzy. Her 17-year-old sister, Lauryn, recently gave birth to Baby Kaitlin, which is a new addition to the already crazy family.

For most people, this show is their guilty pleasure. They hate that they love it and for some reason can’t get themselves to stop watching it. In fact, its already been renewed for another season because of its success.

However some viewers feel that this show is somewhat glorifying a redneck lifestyle. For example their hygiene isn’t exactly top notch, with momma June’s forklift foot or their habit of washing their hair in the sink. Other questionable actions include poor grammar and unhealthy food choices. Also viewers feel Alana is not well mannered.

Her family is the epitome of a redneck family and they are not shy about it in the slightest. They all enjoy competing in their local redneck Olympics. “The Redneck Games is a lot like the Olympics but with a lot of missing teeth and butt cracks showing,” June said. Events include bobbing for pig legs (yes, real pig legs) and mud sliding. Alana is a pro when it comes to getting down and dirty, but she also knows how to clean up well.

Even though Alana is an animated little girl, she does take pageants very seriously. The family spends thousands of dollars a year on pageants. Their money goes towards the various outfits, coaches, entrance fees and hair and makeup stylists. She works very hard on her routines and hopes to one day win the grand supreme title because, “A dollar make me holler honey boo boo.” During pageants, Alana drinks her special go-go juice to give her an extra boost of energy. The juice is a not-so-healthy combination of Mountain Dew and Red Bull; which is probably the last thing an energetic girl like Alana needs.

Although Alana enjoys pageants, they come at a price. Alana’s family tries to save money in any way they can. Her mom, June, is a penny pincher and a self-proclaimed coupon queen. Over the summer, they even held their very own roadside lemonade stand to try to save up money for pageants.

Whether you love to hate her or hate that you love her, you can’t deny she’s pretty entertaining and without a doubt, a beauty queen in viewers eyes.