Why Did Barbara Walters Make Honey Boo Boo One Of 2012′s “Most Fascinating People”?
December 6, 2012 by Hollywoodite
There was speculation earlier in the week that Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson from TLC’s hit reality show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo might be anointed one of the year’s most fascinating people by Barbara Walters which stopped meaning as much when the Kardashians were afforded the same honour last year and Kim Kardashian was asked about her tape.
It turns out the speculation is true because the 83-year-old is confirming to Us Weekly that Honey Boo Boo is one of the “most interesting” for her appearance on Toddlers & Tiaras and its eponymous spin-off. Walters preemptively defends the choice, saying the seven-year-old’s relationship with her mother is compelling an endearing enough to earn her a place on the list.
“It’s a love story,” Walters tells Us of the bond between Alana and her mother, June, on TLC’s breakout hit. “It’s a very sweet, loving story.”
“A lot of people will say, ‘For heaven’s sake, this is ridiculous, this is a child at 5 or 6 years old entering beauty contests,’” she says. “But the relationship between Alana and her mother… that’s the story, the two of them. It’s very touching.”
The fart jokes and go-go juice Alana and her family enjoy so much belie serious, old-fashioned family values, Walters argues. ”Honey Boo Boo is not an obnoxious little girl. She’s sweet and loving with her mother and loving with her sisters [Jessica, Lauryn and Anna]. And now Anna has a new baby, and the baby has [three] thumbs… but so what? It’ll make you smile,” says the ABC standout.
The news icon understands, too, that the mix of people on her list might raise a few eyebrows. Admits Walters, “The fact that we have a show with Hillary Clinton, Chris Christie and Honey Boo Boo… that is varied to say the least.”
During a chat with her fellow View co-hosts earlier this month, Walters revealed a few other people who made the cut (including Clinton and Olympian Gabby Douglas.) For the full roundup, tune in to Walters’ ABC special on December 12 at 9:30 p.m. EST. – via Us Weekly Magazine.