Hailey Welch: Who Is Hailey Welch? Everything You Need to Know About the Viral Internet Star

On: April 10, 2025 5:26 AM

Hailey Welch: is an emerging talent known for her captivating performances in both television and film. With a natural charisma and versatility, she brings depth to every role she takes on. Hailey’s distinctive presence on screen has garnered attention, making her a rising star in the entertainment industry. Her ability to embody a range of characters with authenticity sets her apart as a promising actress.

Hailey Welch: The Unexpected Rise of the Hawk Tuah Girl

If you’ve been anywhere near the internet in the past year,
chances are you’ve heard of Hailey Welch—better known as the “Hawk Tuah Girl.”
What started as a spontaneous, cheeky moment in a street interview has turned this small-town
Tennessee gal into a viral sensation. But who is Hailey Welch beyond the meme?
Let’s dive into her story, her charm, and how she’s navigating her wild ride to fame.

The Moment That Changed Everything

It all began on June 11, 2024, when YouTubers Tim & Dee TV interviewed Hailey and her friend Chelsea Bradford on the bustling streets of Nashville.
The duo was out enjoying the CMA Fest vibes when they were asked,
“What’s one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?”
With a thick Southern drawl and zero hesitation, Hailey replied, “You gotta give
‘em that hawk tuah and spit on that thang!” Cue the internet losing its collective mind.
The clip exploded across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, racking up millions of views and spawning endless remixes.
Overnight, Hailey became the “Hawk Tuah Girl,” and her life flipped upside down.

From Factory Floors to Fame

Before the viral fame, Hailey was just a regular 22-year-old from Belfast,
Tennessee—a tiny town with no stoplights, just a gas station, a dollar store,
and a whole lot of horse farms. She worked at a spring factory (think “boing!” springs, as she’d clarify with a laugh),
clocking in for graveyard shifts. Raised by her grandma since she was a baby,
Hailey’s life was simple and grounded. But that one NSFW quip changed everything.
“I hid for two weeks,” she admitted in an interview with PEOPLE. “I was embarrassed to death to come out of my house.”
Who could blame her? Going from small-town anonymity to global meme status is a lot to process!

Turning Viral Into Victory

Hailey could’ve let the moment pass, but she’s got a sharp sense of humor and an even sharper business mind.
“If everyone else is making money off it, I might as well too,”
she decided. She teamed up with Fathead Threads to launch a line of “Hawk Tuah” hats,
reportedly pulling in over $65,000 in just a couple of weeks. She quit her factory job on June 27, 2024,
and started building her brand. Soon, she was popping up everywhere—on stage with country star Zach Bryan,
chatting on podcasts like Plan Bri Uncut, and even inspiring a heavy metal tribute (yes, really!).
Her Instagram blew up to over 2.6 million followers, and she’s handled the spotlight with a mix of sass and authenticity.

The Podcast Era and Crypto Chaos

By September 2024, Hailey launched Talk Tuah, a podcast under Jake Paul’s Betr media company,
featuring big names like Whitney Cummings, Wiz Khalifa, and JoJo Siwa. She was living the dream
until December rolled around. That’s when she dipped her toes into the wild world of cryptocurrency with the $HAWK token.
It soared to a $490 million valuation before crashing hard, losing 90% of its value. Fans cried “scam,”
and accusations of a pump-and-dump scheme flew. Hailey went quiet, disappearing from social media for months.
In a leaked podcast episode with FaZe Clan’s Banks, she broke down in tears, addressing the fallout.
“I never meant for this,” she said, visibly shaken. The SEC later closed its investigation without charging her, but the ordeal left a mark.

Bouncing Back with Heart

Fast forward to April 2025—Hailey’s back! She parted ways with
Betr and relaunched Talk Tuah under her own company, 16 Minutes, on April 8.
Promising a mix of comedy, pop culture, and her signature unfiltered vibe, she’s reclaiming her voice.
Plus, there’s a documentary in the works from Bungalow Media + Entertainment,
set to explore her whirlwind journey. At just 22, Hailey’s proving she’s more than a viral moment—she’s a fighter with a knack for turning chaos into opportunity.

Why We Can’t Look Away

What makes Hailey Welch so captivating? It’s her realness. She’s not polished or pretentious
#she’s the girl next door who says what’s on her mind, whether it’s a hilarious sex tip or a heartfelt apology.
She’s faced creepy fan encounters (someone offered $600 for her spit in a jar—yikes!)
and wild rumors (no, she’s not a teacher or a preacher’s kid), but she keeps rolling with the punches.
Her bond with her “Granny,” who finds the whole “hawk tuah” thing hilarious, adds a sweet layer to her story.