Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon has a message for anyone who has something rude to say about her sister Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson’s new look.
Lauryn took to Instagram Wednesday to share a collage of her sis and explain to her followers that Alana is 15 now and “likes the long lashes and long nails but that doesn’t make her “‘ghetto, ratchet, poor, or grown.’”
“At 15 I’m glad the only things she worries about is her nails and lashes because as people most of her age she could definitely be involved in much worse,” Lauryn wrote, who later in the post reminded people that even though her sister is famous, she’s “still a child.”
The 21-year-old has remained the legal guardian of her sister since early 2019 after their mother, Mama June Shannon, was arrested (along with June’s boyfriend Geno Doak) on drug-related charges. Lauryn mentioned her guardianship of Alana on social media while reminding people that her sister has been through a lot.
“She’s a beautiful soul who’s been through entirely [too] much for her age but still manages to give a person the shirt off her back when she may not have it to give,” Lauryn said. “She busts her ass in school and keeps her grades up so who gives a damn if she wants to throw on lashes or long nails for the week.
“So next time before y’all go judging or name calling understand truly who Alana is and all the mean things you call her or the mean things you might say, she’s still a child who has feelings,” she added.
Fans applauded Lauryn in the comments for being “such a great big sister and a great role model for Alana” and for stepping up when her sister needed her.
“Love this @pumpkin,” one person wrote. “I love how you stepped up when she needed you the most! Y’all are truly beautiful souls! So proud of you & @honeyboo!”
Alana’s new look also received some positive feedback, as many left kind comments while encouraging others to “stop judging.”
“She is absolutely gorgeous,” one comment read. “I love watching her grow and change. She seems like an absolutely amazing person. … “
On the Mama June: Road to Redemption premiere, viewers saw Lauryn debut her 40-pound weight loss and talk about some of the changes she’s made to get healthier.
During the episode, Lauryn also suggested that Alana start “watching her figure” as well, but Alana quickly shut down her sister’s comment, despite having dealt with numerous incidents of body-shaming in the past.
After a clip from ‘Road to Redemption’ featuring Alana hitting the runway garnered some nasty comments online about the former Here Comes Honey Boo Boo star’s weight, Alana shared a message of her own in the form of a mirror-selfie.
“Folks will hate about anything,” she captioned her post.
(Photos: Instagram; WEtv)
10 Responses
Seriously. At 15 a looooong time ago in the ’80s I was a pissed-off punk rocker who was borderline living on my own when things got too bad at home and just wound up being incredibly lucky with the friends that I made that would find me safe places to stay. Her parents are messed up and the fact that she gets to worry about her nails and hair is a tribute to Pumpkin and whatever therapy she’s getting.
People forget Pumpkin started this journey as a child too. She had to step up as not only a mom & wife but a guardian for her sister.
I forgot apparently for her other sister too.
Josh needs a medal.
This seems like completely normal 15 year old girl behavior and interests. She’s better than I was at that age at nails and lashes!
Pumpkin is amazing. She has more sense intelligence and maturity than women twice her age. And she is so beautiful. Alana is just doing what every teen does.. experimenting. Finding out what she likes.
But the weight/obesity is an issue she shuts down. It’s not body shaming. There are health consequences especially for someone so young if she continues to gain
But maybe more importantly is the overeating masking the emotional pain. She has suffered enormous emotional trauma, upheaval and anxiety. She needs to be in counseling away from the cameras and show and in complete privacy to help her heal.
Lauryn has a point, but this is a 15-year-old girl whose privacy and personal pain continues to be exploited for money. Everything about her is put out on the show for profit. I respect Lauryn for her stance, but you can’t expect to be scrutinized only on what you pick and choose when her life is broadcasted on TV for profit. If you don’t want negative press and scrutiny, quit filming and give her privacy.
Oh, for goodness sake, this is what 15-year-old girls do!! They experiment with nails and outfits and hairstyles and all kinds of makeup. Mine do this constantly! And during this pandemic, I’m thankful they’ve had SOMETHING to do besides school work. Alana is a beautiful, sweet girl, leave her alone. She seems to be doing well under difficult conditions— both her bio parents are gone from her life! God bless Pumpkin, who is providing Alana with love and support.
She is just a teenager! Quit picking on her people?Lauryn you are doing a wonderful job. God bless you!
She is 15 and experimenting with her look. At 15, you are very self conscious. I couldn’t imagine having to deal with hateful, rude comments from strangers! Her lashes and nails aren’t hurting anyone and if they make her feel better about herself, what business is it of a bunch of trolls who have never met her? We tell our children that your beauty on the inside matters more than the outside, too bad some of society doesn’t feel the same way.