“Why in the world?”: Shannon reacts as Pumpkin reveals she’s dating her ex‑husband’s cousin in Mama June: Family Crisis

Mama June: Family Crisis aired a new episode on July 19, 2025, featuring a moment that surprised both viewers and family members alike. In a scene shared ahead of the episode, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird revealed to her mother, Mama June Shannon, that she is dating Darrin Kitchens — the cousin of her ex-husband Josh Efird. The news prompted Mama June to react with confusion. She said:

“Why in the world?” as she tried to understand the situation.

The conversation took place during a family dinner that included Mama June, her husband Justin Stroud, Pumpkin, and Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon.

When Mama June noticed Pumpkin smiling at her phone, she questioned her, which led to the unexpected confession. Despite initial concerns, Pumpkin emphasized that Darrin is not a blood relative of Josh.

Jessica also clarified that Darrin is connected through Josh’s stepfather and not his biological family in Mama June: Family Crisis.

Meanwhile, Pumpkin admitted that Josh doesn’t yet know about her relationship with Darrin and that she wants to be the one to tell him.

Pumpkin reveals her new relationship at a family dinner in Mama June: Family Crisis

 

 

 

 

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This episode of Mama June: Family Crisis started with a normal family dinner, but things changed when Mama June saw Pumpkin smiling at her phone.

She asked what was going on, and Pumpkin said she had been talking to someone. This made everyone at the table curious and ask more questions.

Pumpkin then said she was dating Darrin, who is her ex-husband Josh’s cousin. Mama June was surprised and said the divorce had just happened and wasn’t even fully done yet.

Jessica then remembered that one day she had watched Pumpkin’s kids, and now she realized it was so Pumpkin could go on a date.

The show showed a flashback where Pumpkin told Jessica she had a “business dinner,” but didn’t give clear answers.

Back at the table, Mama June asked which cousin Pumpkin meant. When she found out it was Darrin, she was shocked. Pumpkin explained that Darrin and Josh were not blood relatives and said again, “it ain’t no blood, baby girl.”

Mama June said she needed time to think about it, and Pumpkin told her to take as much time as she needed.

Jessica explained the family link while Pumpkin said Josh didn’t know yet in Mama June: Family Crisis

Later in this episode of Mama June: Family Crisis, Jessica tried to explain how Darrin was related to Josh. In a confessional, she said that Josh knew who his real dad was but didn’t have a relationship with him.

She added that Josh’s mom was with another man, known to the family as Bubba, and that Darrin was Bubba’s nephew. Jessica said,

“Darrin is kin to Josh’s stepdad. That is his uncle.”

Jessica made it clear that Darrin and Josh were not related by blood. She said, “No blood, no nothing.” Pumpkin also said that Josh didn’t know she was dating Darrin yet.

She wanted to tell him herself before someone else did. Mama June reminded her that they lived in a small town, and news could spread fast.

Pumpkin replied that this was the reason they had not been going out in public together.

This episode of Mama June: Family Crisis also shared that Pumpkin had filed for divorce from Josh in August 2024. They were married for six years and had four kids — Ella, Bentley, and twins Sylus and Stella.

Their divorce was final in September 2024, and they agreed to share custody equally.

Even though not everyone in the family knew how to feel about the news, Pumpkin said she was trying to focus on herself after the split.

In another interview, she said things with Darrin were going well and that she felt good about the relationship.

Stay tuned for more updates.