Honestly, the world of reality TV is messy, but nothing quite matches the rollercoaster of Mama June: From Not to Hot. We all remember the initial hook. It was 2017, and June Shannon—the "Coupon Queen" we first met on Toddlers & Tiaras—was about to undergo what was billed as the most dramatic body transformation in history. The promos were everywhere. She was going from 460 pounds to a size 4.
But looking back from 2026, it’s clear the show was never really about a red dress or a "revenge body." It was a gateway into a decade of addiction, family estrangement, and a grueling road to redemption that the cameras are still capturing today.
The $75,000 Gamble: Was it Really Just Surgery?
When the show first aired, people were obsessed with the numbers. How did she do it? Was it just "cheating" with surgery? June didn't hide the fact that she went under the knife, and it wasn't cheap. She spent roughly $75,000 on a series of procedures that would make most people’s heads spin.
We’re talking about:
- A gastric sleeve (the "tummy boo boo" surgery) that cost around $10,000.
- Breast augmentation and a lift for $15,000.
- A massive skin removal surgery where they took off 9 pounds of loose skin.
- New veneers for her top teeth because, well, reality TV loves a bright smile.
But here’s the thing: surgery only gets you so far. June had to lose weight before she could even qualify for some of those procedures. She worked with trainer Kenya Crooks, which led to those infamous scenes of her crying over salads while her family ate pizza. It was brutal to watch, and frankly, it set a precedent for the "all or nothing" lifestyle that eventually bit back.
The Revenge Body Myth
The original premise was that June wanted to look hot for her ex Sugar Bear’s wedding. Kinda petty, right? It made for great TV, but it’s a terrible foundation for long-term health. Most experts, including those who have followed the Shannon family's journey, point out that losing 300 pounds for "revenge" usually leads to a crash.
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And crash she did.
When the "Hot" Turned Into a Crisis
By the time the show rebranded to Mama June: Family Crisis and Road to Redemption, the glitz of the weight loss was gone. The reality was much darker. In March 2019, the world stopped caring about her dress size when June and her then-boyfriend Geno Doak were arrested at an Alabama gas station.
The charges? Felony drug possession.
This wasn't just a "bad patch." June eventually admitted to spending $150,000 on crack cocaine in a matter of months. She sold her house for a fraction of its value just to fund the habit. Her daughters—Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird and Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson—were left to pick up the pieces. Pumpkin actually took legal custody of Alana because their mother was literally living out of hotels and casinos with Geno.
It’s easy to judge from the couch. But seeing the "From Not to Hot" star lose her vision, her home, and her children showed the high cost of fame and untreated trauma.
The Reality of 2026: Where They Are Now
Fast forward to today. If you’ve been keeping up with the latest seasons on WE tv, you know the family is fundamentally different. June is married to Justin Stroud, a mechanic she met while they were both in recovery. They tied the knot in a courthouse ceremony in 2022 and had a bigger "glam" wedding in Florida a year later.
But it hasn't been a fairy tale.
The family faced their biggest tragedy in December 2023 when June’s eldest daughter, Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, passed away at just 29 after a battle with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma. It was a moment that forced the family to stop the "TV drama" and actually be there for one another.
The Shannon Family Today:
- Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird: She’s no longer the "caretaker" kid. After six years of marriage and four children, she and Josh Efird finalized their divorce in late 2024. She’s moved on with a new boyfriend, Darrin Kitchens, and is focusing on her own identity outside of being "the one who raised Alana."
- Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson: She’s grown up. Alana is in college now, navigating the pressures of being a student while still being followed by cameras. Her relationship with Dralin Carswell has been a major plot point, especially with his legal troubles hanging over their heads.
- June Shannon: She’s sober. That’s the big one. She’s been open about the fact that her weight fluctuates. She’s not the size 4 she was in the season 1 finale, and she’s okay with that. She’s currently in a legal battle over the custody of Anna’s daughter, Kaitlyn, trying to fulfill her daughter’s final wishes while navigating her own messy past.
The Lessons from the Not to Hot Era
If we can take anything away from the Mama June: From Not to Hot saga, it’s that "getting hot" doesn't fix a broken life. The show started as a makeover series and turned into a cautionary tale about the reality of addiction and the resilience of family.
You can’t out-surgery a lifestyle problem. June’s journey shows that the physical transformation is the easy part—the mental and emotional work is what actually keeps you alive.
What You Can Do Next
If you're following a transformation journey or considering bariatric surgery yourself, keep these insights in mind:
- Prioritize Mental Health: Before jumping into a physical overhaul, talk to a therapist. June’s spiral happened because her "why" was external (making an ex jealous) rather than internal.
- Support Systems Matter: Look at Pumpkin and Alana. They survived because they had each other. If you're making big life changes, you need a tribe that will tell you the truth, not just "yes-men."
- Consistency Over Perfection: The "Not to Hot" model of dropping 300 pounds in a year is extreme. Most medical professionals recommend a slower, more sustainable approach to avoid the metabolic "rebound" that June experienced.
The Shannon family isn't perfect. They’re loud, they’re messy, and they’ve made a lot of mistakes in front of millions of people. But in 2026, they're still standing, and that might be the most "hot" thing about the whole story.