Mama June Shannon, the 17-year-old's mother, tells HotGossipNewz exclusively about the pair's romance ahead of the return of Mama June: Family in Crisis.
"They've been together for nearly two and a half years. "That bothers a lot of people," June, 43, adds. "She receives a lot of criticism. But I tell people, and I've always said it, that our family has a lot of chocolate vanilla swirl. For many years, our family has enjoyed chocolate vanilla swirl. I have two sisters who are like that, as well as a niece."
According to June, her younger daughter "should not get hate for that."
"She is a teen." She's meant to be dating someone. "But people don't think that's... for Alana," explains the mother of four. "She's not that little girl anymore."
Alana can "choose to be with him for the rest of her life," according to the reality star. If not, it was her adolescent fling."
Alana and Dralin's relationship became public in September 2021. Since then, the two have endured criticism, in part due to their age difference. (Dralin was 20 when Alana, at 16, revealed their love.)
June's husband, Justin Stroud, tells HotGossipNewz that "the family definitely supports" Alana's relationship, despite public condemnation.
"They're still young. They will make mistakes, he will make mistakes, and she will make mistakes. But he does love her, so give him credit for that," he says. "He adores her. They're still young."
Alana and Dralin went to her high school prom together lately. June and Justin were both present to see her off to the fun-filled event, which included a horse and carriage.
"It was special for me for them to allow me to be a part of that, especially given my background and everything," Justin adds. "That's why I don't take offence to the early stages of what happened, or to anything anyone said, because I understand it." You have to. But it was a truly memorable moment."
Alana fuelled engagement rumours after tweeting images of her prom glam, when viewers observed what appeared to be a diamond ring on the corresponding finger. June, on the other hand, claims that her daughter has "actually been wearing that ring for many years," and Justin adds that "that was a ring that her mama got her."
"She's had that ring for years, so that's what I don't understand," June explains. "I'm like, she wasn't engaged for years."
Mama June: Family in Crisis begins on WE tv on Friday at 9 p.m. ET.
