Mama June Shares Relationship Update Following Geno Doak's Sentencing
When it comes to her latest relationship, there's one TV mama who's had it with the drama. Mama June Shannon, the brassy matriarch of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" and "Mama June: From Not to Hot," was at the peak of her popularity and seemed to have it made for a while. Then, her life imploded as she and her boyfriend Geno Doak fell into a drug addiction that cost her a fortune, tore her from her family, and eventually ended in an arrest and a stint in rehab.
Shannon has been on the "road to redemption" (as the title of her latest reality show, "Mama June: Road to Redemption," indicates) for the last year or so. She's stayed clean — by court order, she can't go anywhere that involves liquor, notes the Trussville Tribune — and is slowly rebuilding her relationship with her estranged family. But Shannon's continuing relationship with Doak has been a major sore point for her family, particularly daughter Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird, who has been raising younger sister Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson for nearly two years and has long resented the fact that her mother chose Doak and drugs over her own children (per People).
Now it seems Mama June has moved on, and her life no longer includes Doak. His drug possession case finally went to court in early August, and he made a plea deal that will keep him in an Alabama correctional facility for the next 16 months, followed by a two-year probation period (via The Sun). Shannon wasn't there at the sentencing and made no comment on it when the news broke.
Mama June is single and happy
Even before the sentencing, Geno Doak had been noticeably absent from June Shannon's social media and public appearances. At Efird's baby shower in June, her mother proudly posed for pictures, but her boyfriend was nowhere to be seen (via In Touch Weekly). Now we know why. In a recent social media chat (captured here by TMZ), a friend of Shannon's firmly says, "Listen, Geno is not in the f***in' picture." Shannon smiles as she adds, "If you want to know where he is, he's got an Instagram." After carefully spelling out his Insta handle, she adds, "You wanna know where he's at? That's his business. That's not part of my life. Hasn't been."
She seems to mean it. A TikTok she posted on August 8 shows her telling fans, "I'm a whole brand new person, and getting to know myself has been an amazing experience." She goes on to thank some influential new friends and to advise fans not to rush into relationships. "Single life ain't so bad," she says with a grin.
Doak has been less forthcoming on his social media, but the fact that he hasn't posted a photo of June in more than a year speaks volumes. His latest Instagram post shows a sunset from Florida, and while his followers have plenty to say about the rumored breakup, Doak has yet to comment. Whatever the situation, we hope they both continue to thrive in their sobriety.
If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).