June 'Mama June' Shannon Dishes On Competing On 'The Masked Singer' With Daughter Alana Thompson Sober After Battle With Addiction
A new era!
Although June '"Mama June" Shannon and daughter Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson’s journey on The Masked Singer was cut short — after only one episode — the experience really bonded the duo.
When asked what it was like “to work together again” after several years of being estranged due to Mama June’s struggles with addiction and sobriety, the 42-year-old reality star admitted it was a life changing experience.
“Well, Alana I know would've hoped that it was just her on stage, and me too because I'm that backstage mom hyping her up. But it was a great experience,” she spilled to PEOPLE. “I realized the last time we were out there together doing a huge project, which was Dancing with the Stars, I was in my addiction. But during The Masked Singer, I had been clean for over a year and a half.”
The Toddlers & Tiaras alum continued: “So for me it was an emotional experience, and I guess that's why I teared up when we got on stage the night of the performance. Because I was actually doing something with her for the first time outside of everyday life, our show — a huge project in California — sober.”
- Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson Reflects On June 'Mama June' Shannon's Addiction: 'I Didn’t Know Where I Was Gonna End Up'
- June 'Mama June' Shannon Looks Nearly Unrecognizable In A Series Of Glamorous Snaps As She Celebrates Sobriety Milestone
- Honey Boo Boo Cries While Hugging Mama June for the First Time in at Least 5 Years Following Estrangement
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Thompson noted the ordeal “was very fun” and she loved “being in California” during filming.
Now that the mother-daughter duo have “reconnected,” the 16-year-old former beauty pageant winner is looking forward to “graduating high school” and she’s in the midst of “filming” their hit WeTV series Mama June: Road to Redemption.
In 2019, Mama June and her ex Geno Doak were nabbed by authorities outside an Alabama gas station and charged with possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In a recent exposé, Thompson reflected on the pain she's endured watching her mother struggle with addiction. “A lot of folks in this world do not realize how many people are actually really affected by drug and alcohol [use],” the child star told Teen Vogue. “It’s very, very hard. It’s something I’d wish on nobody, for real.”
“When my mama got real bad with her [drug use], I didn’t know where I was going to end up,” she continued. “I’m proud of myself for how far I’ve come.”
