5 Shocking Details About Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird's New Boyfriend Darrin Kitchens And Life After Divorce
The reality TV world is buzzing with major relationship updates for Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird. As of late 2025, the star of Mama June: Family Crisis has officially closed the chapter on her six-year marriage to Josh Efird and is embracing a surprising new romance that has captivated fans and caused a stir within the Shannon family. This article dives into the fresh, exclusive details surrounding Pumpkin's new partner, Darrin Kitchens, and the dramatic shift in her personal life that is currently dominating headlines.
The news of a new man comes amid a tumultuous period for the reality star, who has been navigating a high-profile divorce and the challenging waters of co-parenting four children. Pumpkin has publicly shared her newfound happiness, stating she is focused on "building a life" for herself and her kids. The identity of her new love interest, Darrin Kitchens, has been confirmed, and their relationship is a central focus of the latest season of the WE tv reality show, making this one of the most talked-about celebrity breakups and new beginnings of the year.
Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird: Full Biography and Profile
Before diving into the details of her new relationship, it is essential to understand the journey of Lauryn Mychelle "Pumpkin" Efird, who has spent most of her life in the public eye. Her personal life has been a cornerstone of reality television, from her early days to her current role as a primary caregiver and reality TV figure.
- Full Name: Lauryn Mychelle Efird (née Shannon)
- Nickname: Pumpkin
- Date of Birth: January 7, 2000
- Age (as of 2025): 25 years old
- Birthplace: Hampton, Georgia, U.S.
- Mother: June "Mama June" Shannon
- Father: Michael Anthony Ford
- Siblings: Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell (deceased), Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon, and Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson.
- Spouse: Josh Efird (Married: 2018, Filed for Divorce: 2025)
- Children: Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson (as legal guardian), Ella Grace Efird, Bentley Jameson Efird, and twins Sylus Ray Efird and Stella Renae Efird.
- Career: Reality Television Personality (Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Mama June: From Not to Hot, Mama June: Family Crisis).
- Key Role: She famously became the legal guardian of her younger sister, Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, in 2022.
The Shocking New Chapter: Who is Darrin Kitchens?
The biggest news surrounding Lauryn in late 2025 is the confirmation of her new relationship with Darrin Kitchens. This development came as a major surprise to fans, given the recency of her divorce filing from Josh Efird. The relationship marks a significant step in Pumpkin's life as she prioritizes her own happiness and well-being post-split.
1. Pumpkin Went Public on Social Media
Pumpkin first introduced Darrin Kitchens to her followers via a public post on Facebook, sharing a photo of the two of them together at a Zach Bryan concert. This move was a clear signal that she was officially moving on from her marriage. The public debut of Darrin Kitchens was a bold statement, immediately sparking widespread discussion among fans and tabloids.
2. The Relationship Coincided with the Divorce
Reports indicate that Pumpkin began dating Darrin Kitchens relatively soon after filing for divorce from Josh Efird in 2025. While the timeline raised some eyebrows, Pumpkin has been adamant that the focus is on putting herself first and finding happiness after years of marital issues. The split with Josh, which was reportedly amicable in the beginning, quickly became complicated, adding a layer of drama to her new romance.
3. Darrin Kitchens Has His Own Children
Similar to the Efirds, Darrin Kitchens is a parent. This shared experience of raising a family is a significant point of connection for the new couple. It means both Pumpkin and Darrin understand the complexities of co-parenting and blending families, which is a massive challenge when dealing with a total of four children from Pumpkin's marriage to Josh, plus Darrin's own kids.
The Fallout: Divorce, Co-Parenting, and Family Reaction
The unfolding drama of Lauryn’s new relationship is intrinsically linked to the end of her marriage and the reactions of the people closest to her, especially her mother, Mama June Shannon, and her ex-husband, Josh Efird.
4. Mama June's Unexpected Reaction to Darrin
In a twist that surprised many viewers of Mama June: Family Crisis, Mama June Shannon had a public reaction to her daughter's new boyfriend. Mama June, who has her own history of complex relationships and public scrutiny, weighed in on Pumpkin dating Darrin Kitchens. Her reaction, which has been shown on the current season of the show, adds another layer of tension and family dynamics to the situation. Despite her past issues with her mother, Pumpkin has been focused on maintaining a healthy distance while navigating her new life.
5. The Messy Co-Parenting Situation with Josh Efird
The divorce between Lauryn and Josh Efird was not just a separation; it was a major storyline that played out on the small screen. The couple, who were married for six years and share four children—Ella Grace, Bentley, and twins Sylus Ray and Stella Renae—have found their co-parenting relationship to be "a bit of a challenge." The difficulty is compounded by the fact that both Lauryn and Josh have moved on. Josh Efird is also reportedly dating someone new, a woman named Keely, who also has children. This situation creates a complex web of blended families and new partners, all while the former couple attempts to share custody and maintain stability for their children.
Topical Authority: The Reality TV Entity Landscape
Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird's life is a central pillar of the reality TV universe that began with Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson on Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Her current storyline on Mama June: Family Crisis (Season 7) is a crucial development. The divorce from Josh Efird, which was a major plot point, has now transitioned into the drama of new relationships.
The separation has allowed Pumpkin to redefine her identity outside of her marriage. She has been vocal about putting herself first, a sentiment that resonates with many fans. Her sister, Jessica Shannon ("Chubbs"), and the late Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell are also key entities in the family's history, but Pumpkin’s journey from a teenage mother to a responsible guardian and now a woman finding new love is her most compelling narrative.
The new relationship with Darrin Kitchens is a fresh start, one that Pumpkin seems determined to make work, despite the ongoing public scrutiny and the challenges of a complicated co-parenting arrangement with Josh Efird and his new partner, Keely. As the season of Mama June: Family Crisis continues to air on WE tv, viewers will undoubtedly be treated to more details about the dynamics of this new, blended family and the future of Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird.
For fans following the drama, the question remains: Can Pumpkin and Darrin Kitchens build a lasting life together amidst the chaos of reality TV, a messy divorce, and the demands of a large, complex family? Only time, and the next season of the show, will tell.
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