Alana Thompson, who you in all probability know higher by her toddler-era nickname Honey Boo Boo, is lastly fulfilling her goals, and it has nothing to do with actuality TV.

Thompson rose to fame along with her look on Toddlers and Tiaras, launching her spinoff present Right here Comes Honey Boo Boo and later, Mama June: Street to Redemption. In 2021, simply earlier than her sixteenth birthday, Thompson reintroduced herself to the world in a Teen Vogue profile, underscoring that she’s shed the larger-than-life persona and related nickname. Now, 19 and a rising junior in faculty, Thompson spoke to People forward of her new Lifetime biopic, I Was Honey Boo Boo, by which she’ll “shake off the labels which have adopted her” and focus on the “darker facet” of being a toddler star.

In her Teen Vogue profile, Thompson mentioned she had loftier goals than being on TV, indicating that she deliberate to go to varsity and change into a nurse. Now, she advised Folks that she’s attending Regis College in Colorado, the place she’s fulfilling these targets.

“I simply all the time advised myself you already know that you simply need to do one thing higher along with your life and larger along with your life than simply being on TV, so you have to rise up and go, you have to graduate so you can also make it to varsity and be the nurse that you simply need to be,” she mentioned in accordance with Folks.

However in accordance with Folks, affording faculty was a battle for Thompson, regardless of her years of labor on tv. There have been disputes in regards to the cash Thompson comprised of being on tv, and the way a lot she ought to have versus what was deposited into her accounts. Thompson had publicly accused her mom, Mama June Shannon, of taking tens of 1000’s of {dollars} from her, which Shannon has addressed. Thompson and Shannon have had a troubled relationship, significantly when Shannon was utilizing drugs — she had a battle with substance use dysfunction that deeply impacted her household, however has been sober for greater than 5 years, in accordance with Folks.

That is within the rearview for now, Thompson mentioned, as she pursues her future profession.

“We’re going fairly good,” Thompson advised Folks. “Hopefully it lasts. I simply not have any expectations for her.”

In her 2021 Teen Vogue profile, Alana Thompson was planning, dreaming up who she may change into. “I do not know what future Alana’s like,” she mentioned on the time. “I have not met her but.”

Now, that future image is beginning to change into extra clear, and Thompson is pleased with who she is.

“I like that I’ve persevered,” she advised Folks, “previous who individuals thought I used to be.”