Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo‘ Shannon has revealed that while her boyfriend Dralin Carswell is keen to have several children, she is hesitant when it comes to starting a family.
The popular reality TV star, 18, currently lives with her 21-year-old partner while studying for her neonatal nursing degree at a college in Denver.
Though the couple’s relationship appears to be going from strength to strength since first going public in 2021, Alana admitted that she has mixed feelings about becoming a mom.
‘He wants kids and I don’t want kids,’ she told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview.
‘I told him after I graduate school and stuff then that would be the time to talk about kids. I definitely don’t want no kids while I’m in school, for sure.’
As for the number of children she would be willing to have in the future, the teenager added: ‘I told him “I can meet you in the middle and we can have one”. One and done, that’s it.’
The world famous teen shot to fame when she was a child on Toddlers And Tiaras before she and her family landed their own TLC reality show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo in 2012.
But despite the TV star graduating high school and making her way to college, fans are often shocked to discover she is all grown up and has been in a serious relationship for years.
When Alana made things Instagram official with Dralin in September 2021, trolls were quick to pick at the pair’s relationship.
Some took issue with their three-year age gap, while others appeared to disapprove of her decision to date a Black man.
At the time, the star was forced to turn off comments for the post, which she later went on to delete from her account.
Speaking candidly about the backlash, Alana simply stated: ‘I’m not here to change anybody’s mind about how you think of Dralin.
‘But I personally know from being with him, he’s a good man, he takes care of me and he makes sure that I’m straight. I love him, I’m happy with him so that’s all that matters.’
She continued: ‘I think a big thing is that we’re an interracial couple.’
Her sister Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Efird added: ‘I feel like people have their opinions, and they will always have their own opinions.’
Alana added: ‘Everybody hated the fact that I got with a Black guy… If people were worried about their life as much as they’re worried about our life, they would probably be somewhere in life.’
Back in July 2023, Alana was accepted to Regis University in Denver to pursue her degree in nursing.
However, due to Dralin’s legal issues, the star was forced to contemplate whether she would move to Colorado without him to avoid losing her $21,000 scholarship.
Dralin’s legal situation has been a storyline on the show since he allegedly drove under the influence back in February 2023 and spent two days in Monroe County jail before being released on a $25,000 bond.
Despite the ongoing legal issue, Alana stressed that Dralin has continued to be a great partner who motivates her.
‘He just takes care of me,’ she said. ‘He makes sure like my head’s on straight. ‘If I’m getting like, a bad grade in school, he’s like, “What are you doing that for? You need to get to it. You need to get up there in that room and study!”’
She continued: ‘Or say that I need to do an assignment that’s due. He’s like, “Well, why are we going out to get something to eat? We need to be home doing that assignment.”
‘So he was just very supportive and very loving and caring and just always there for me. He’s my boyfriend and my best friend.’
Her family explained that the pair have been inseparable since they began dating and they now see Dralin as a member of the family.
Pumpkin stated: ‘Dralin’s great. His whole family is great… I just feel like I feel like the last four years, Dralin’s just become one of us.’
Her sister Jessica added: ‘He’s just there. If you see Alana, you see Dralin.’
Alana’s sisters and mother claimed that they believe Dralin is ‘The One’, however Alana remained more coy as she responded: ‘I’m not sure, I hope so.’
