Although Mike "Sugar Bear" Thompson and June Shannon called it quits years ago, Honey Boo Boo's father has remained in the limelight. While Here Comes Honey Boo Boo was canceled by TLC before its fifth season could air, TMZ reported in 2014 that Thompson got his full payout for the season. However, Thompson didn't have much to work with after his split with Mama June, considering Shannon reportedly "hoarded all the money the family got and doled out an allowance for him," per TMZ. When Honey Boo Boo's family got a second shot at television with 2017's Mama June: From Not to Hot, Thompson returned with his new wife Jennifer Lamb, allowing cameras to document their wedding for the show (via Us Weekly).
Thompson's second happily ever after didn't quite pan out: because he was not legally declared Alana's father, Thompson couldn't get visitation rights. While he began to pursue legal options in 2018, the prospect of having to pay child support appeared to be an issue for him and his new wife. "We can't even finish saving up for our honeymoon," Lamb said on the show. "So, how are we going to pay child support?" Later, when Thompson and Lamb moved to take over custody of Alana after Shannon's arrest in 2019, Lauryn, Alana's temporary guardian, questioned their motives on the show, calling Lamb "a shady a** b**ch."
