Are you fascinated by Honey Boo Boo? Well, Barbara Walters is — and she’s put the love-her-or-hate-her reality tot on her list of the Most Fascinating People of 2012.

Barbara Walters 2011 (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Campbell’s)

Barbara Walters, who presents her list every year around the holidays, has included everyone from Michelle Obama to Lady Gaga on past lists, but pint-sized pageant queen/TLC reality star Alana Thompson? Why does she make the cut?

According to Walters, the bond between Alana and her mother  is “a very sweet, loving story.” Be that as it may, there are many who criticize the reality show and Honey Boo Boo in general.

Walters defends her choice to Us magazine:

Honey Boo Boo is not an obnoxious little girl. She’s sweet and loving with her mother and loving with her sisters [Jessica, Lauryn and Anna]. And now Anna has a new baby, and the baby has [three] thumbs — but so what? It’ll make you smile.

According to Us, Walters is preparing herself for the “inevitable backlash” that her choice in Honey Boo Boo will cause from viewers.

For the full list of Most Fascinating People, tune in to Walters’ ABC special on December 12th.