Alana Thompson Has The Best Response To Being Called A Hot Cheeto Girl

Alana Thompson is doing everything she can to distance herself from her somewhat embarrassing past as a mini reality TV star. Thompson found fame as the breakout star of "Toddlers & Tiaras," a TLC show that followed young pageant queens and on which her nickname, "Honey Boo Boo," was carved into the public's conscious. Although she later starred on a family reality show, and frequently appears on her mother, Mama June's, own "Road to Redemption" series, Thompson is eager to leave her former self behind. 

In an expansive interview from August with Teen Vogue, the teenager made it clear that her name isn't Honey Boo Boo. Although she understands why her famous catchphrases entered the lexicon and whatnot, Thompson clarified, "They are completely two different people." She added firmly, "I would say that I do like this Alana now, rather than the younger Alana." Of course, there are still those who don't really understand that the reality star has grown up since her humble beginnings. Thankfully, Thompson knows exactly how to handle them. 

As part of her transition into a young woman, Alana Thompson took to Instagram to share a selection of glamorous selfies, in which she's wearing false eyelashes and matching fake talons. "As I should," she confidently captioned the post. As In Touch Weekly noted, one commenter wrote, "I know damn well she is the [Hot Cheeto] girl." The popular slang term, which has certain dodgy racist connotations, according to Urban Dictionary, refers to women who eat Takis, Hot Fries, or Hot Cheetos in public and typically wear hoop earrings, Thrasher sweatshirts, long acrylic nails, and Vans. Rather than taking offense, however, Thompson fired back, "I might be one, but I'm still a bad bleep," adding in a kissy-face emoji for good measure. She previously fought back against accusations that she was dressing too maturely, arguing, "Y'all act like I'm 8."

Thompson also defended her family from accusations of mistreatment and neglect, arguing her sister is doing a great job raising her while their mother is focused on her sobriety, and rightly so. Considering she found fame as a pint-sized pageant queen, it makes sense Thompson knows exactly how to tackle criticism. In fact, as she told Teen Vogue emphatically, "I'm proud of myself for how far I've come." The reality star also notably added, "There are so many folks on my Instagram that do not like my nails or my eyelashes. But I do not care. As long as I like myself, I'm good."