Haliey Welch
Haliey Welch | |
|---|---|
 Welch in November 2024 | |
| Born | 2001 or 2002 (age 22–23) |
| Other names | Hawk Tuah Girl |
| Occupation | Internet personality |
| Years active | 2024–present |
| Known for | Viral interview and catchphrase |
Haliey Welch (/ˈheɪli/; born 2001 or 2002) is an American Internet personality. She is best known for being interviewed during a viral TikTok video posted in 2024, becoming notable for a catchphrase, "hawk tuah", an onomatopoeia for spitting during oral sex. She is also known for her podcast Talk Tuah and a cryptocurrency coin which faced criticism following release.[1]
Early and personal life
Welch is from Belfast, Tennessee, and worked in a bedspring factory prior to internet fame.[2] She currently lives with her grandmother in Nashville, Tennessee.[2]
Career
On June 11, 2024, a vox populi YouTube channel, Tim & Dee TV, released a video featuring an interview with Welch. During the video, she was asked a series of not-safe-for-work questions including, "What's one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?". Welch, in a heavy Southern accent, replied by proclaiming, "You gotta give 'em that 'hawk tuah' and spit on that thang," referring to a spitting sound made during oral sex.[3][4][5] The original video went viral, earning millions of views across TikTok and Instagram, spawning remixes and remakes of the original audio, and earning Welch the nickname Hawk Tuah Girl.[6]
Initially, Welch was mortified that her clip had gone so viral. "The first week of it, I was so embarrassed," Welch said. "I wouldn't come out of my house. I went to work, but that's about it. Other than that, I didn't go anywhere. But I went from being embarrassed to living in the moment."[7] She had seen vendors hawking unofficial regalia of her viral moment and decided to capitalize on the moment herself. "If everyone else is making money off of it, I might as well, too."[7]
She quit her job at the bed spring factory on June 27, 2024,[7] and partnered with a local apparel brand to begin selling Hawk Tuah merchandise, earning over $65,000 within a couple of weeks.[8][9] On June 29, Welch joined Zach Bryan on stage during his concert in Nashville, Tennessee, to perform Bryan's song 'Revival'.[10] A few days later, Welch joined Shaquille O'Neal during his DJ set in Nashville.[11] On July 2, Welch signed for representation with The Penthouse.[12][13]
Welch premiered a podcast with Jake Paul's company Betr, Talk Tuah, in September 2024.[14] It was ranked number five in Spotify's top podcasts charts shortly after release.[15] On November 14, Welch released a dating advice app, Pookie Tools. To build the app, Welch partnered with Ben Ganz, founder of Ultimate AI Studio, an AI automation platform.[16]
Meme coin scandal
In December 2024, Welch released a cryptocurrency meme coin on Solana called $HAWK token. The coin reached a market capitalization of nearly $500 million before plummeting to $25 million,[17] with at least one investor filing a complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.[18] This led to Welch and her team being accused of performing a pump-and-dump scheme[1] and the coin being accused of being a rug pull scam, including by cryptocurrency journalist Coffeezilla, who also accused Welch and her team of insider trading.[19][20][21] Welch's team has denied the accusations.[22]
Later that month, a lawsuit was filed against the $HAWK creators in the United States district court in New York for unlawfully promoting and selling cryptocurrency that was allegedly never properly registered. Welch, who was not named in the suit, responded to the litigation, saying, "I take this situation extremely seriously and want to address my fans, the investors who have been affected, and the broader community. I am fully cooperating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and resolve this matter."[23]
References
- ^ a b McMahon, Liv (5 December 2024). "Online star Hawk Tuah girl faces crypto coin criticism". BBC. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Haliey Welch aka the 'Hawk Tuah' girl learns firsthand what it means to go viral". The Tennessean. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ Craighead, Olivia (1 July 2024). "What's the Deal With 'Hawk Tuah' Girl?". The Cut. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Chris (3 July 2024). "The Hawk Tuah Girl: Everything You Need (and Absolutely Don't Need) to Know". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Vargas, Ramon Antonio (3 July 2024). "'Hawk tuah girl' leans into craze she ignited but looks forward to moving on". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ "Who's the 'hawk tuah' girl Howard Stern calls 'every father's worst nightmare'?". South China Morning Post. 28 June 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Hurt, Melonee (3 July 2024). "Who is 'Hawk Tuah' girl: Meet Haliey Welch and her take on going viral". The Tennessean. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ Murray, Conor. "'Hawk Tuah' Meme Explained: How Woman In Viral Interview Made A Reported $65,000 And Prompted TikTok Craze". Forbes. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Dickson, Ej (26 June 2024). "Hawk Tuah Girl Has Already Sold at Least $65,000 Worth of Merch". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (30 June 2024). "Country Star Zach Bryan Brings Down The House With Hawk Tuah Girl Cameo". Deadline. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Cowen, Trace William. "'Hawk Tuah' Star Haliey Welch Joins Shaq for DJ Set at Jon Bon Jovi's Nashville Bar". Complex. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (2 July 2024). ""Hawk Tuah Girl" Hailey Welch Finds Representation". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ McCarty, Andrew (2 July 2024). "The 'Hawk Tuah Girl' Has Officially Signed With Hollywood Agent". The Spun. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ "Haliey Welch, "Hawk Tuah Girl," launches new podcast 'Talk Tuah' with Jake Paul's Media Company Betr". The Express Tribune. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ "The 'Hawk Tuah' Creator's Podcast Ranks No. 5 On Spotify—Here's How She Kept The Meme Going For Months". Forbes. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Forristal, Lauren (14 November 2024). "'Hawk Tuah' girl launches Pookie Tools, an AI-powered dating advice app, and it's fine?". TechCrunch. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "'Hawk Tuah' Creator Haliey Welch Criticized For Memecoin Launch After Price Crashes". Forbes. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ "Sell that thang: Hawk Tuah girl faces 'pump and dump' allegations as crypto coin collapses hours after launch". The Independent. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ McMahon, Liv (6 December 2024). "Online star Hawk Tuah girl faces crypto coin criticism". BBC News. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ Shackleton, Niamh (5 December 2024). "People are calling for Hawk Tuah Girl to be jailed after she launches cryptocurrency that everyone lost their money on". UNILAD. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Art, Pop Culture & (5 December 2024). "Coffeezilla confronts Hawk Tuah Girl over alleged $HAWK meme coin rug pull and insider trading". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ^ "'Hawk tuah girl' Haliey Welch's crypto launch draws scrutiny". NBC News. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Ford, Lily (20 December 2024). "Hailey Welch, A.K.A. "Hawk Tuah Girl," Responds After Lawsuit Filed Over Meme Coin Crypto Crash". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 December 2024.