**Mama June’s Family ‘Knew’ Lauryn’s Marriage Was in Trouble for ‘Years’**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/june-shannon-lauryn-josh-efird-053025-1-a0668b46b75b411cb6213a6317da8281.jpg)
Mama June Shannon, known for her reality TV show and family drama, recently opened up to PEOPLE about her daughter Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird’s divorce from her husband, Josh Efird. The 25-year-old officially finalized her divorce in September 2024, after sharing four children with Josh.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Mama June revealed that the family had an inkling that Lauryn and Josh’s marriage was on the rocks for quite some time. She candidly admitted, “I’ll be honest, we all knew behind the scenes it was in the works for many years.” This revelation sheds new light on the inner workings of their family dynamics.
The tragic passing of Mama June’s daughter, Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell, in December 2023 seemed to have a profound impact on the family. Mama June reflected, “We all have said that Anna passing away opened our eyes to a lot of things… Life is very short. Don’t just go through the motions. Live your life for yourself.”
Lauryn Efird, the central figure in this marriage drama, shared her side of the story with PEOPLE and expressed that her happiness now stems from spending quality time with her children. Following her divorce from Josh, Lauryn seems to have found a source of joy and fulfilment in being a dedicated mother to her kids.
Despite facing personal challenges, Lauryn made the brave decision to document her divorce on the seventh season of “Mama June: Family Crisis.” She acknowledged that there were reservations about airing her marital struggles but ultimately wanted to be transparent about her journey.
In a surprising turn of events, Lauryn has found love again with her new boyfriend, Darrin Kitchens. She described their relationship as “really, really great,” highlighting the positivity and stability that she has discovered in this new chapter of her life.
Reflecting on her past experiences, Lauryn shared, “It’s kind of nice because I grew up putting everyone else first and leaving myself feeling empty. But now, I feel like I am back at the top. He [Darrin] makes me feel valued and whole again.”
As the family navigates through these personal upheavals, fans can tune in to the latest season of “Mama June: Family Crisis” to witness the unfolding of Lauryn’s journey towards healing and finding love once more. The show promises to deliver raw and real moments that resonate with audiences.
With Mama June’s insight into the family dynamics and Lauryn’s newfound happiness, this chapter in their lives is a testament to resilience and strength in the face of adversity. The Shannon family continues to captivate audiences with their raw and unfiltered approach to sharing their struggles and triumphs.