Haliey Welch also known as the Hawk Tuah Girl, is an American Internet celebrity. She is best known for being interviewed during a viral TikTok video posted in 2024 and her catchphrase, "hawk tuah." Internet fame On June 11, 2024, a man on the street 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 saying, "You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang," referring to a sound made during oral sex. 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. Wanting to capitalize on the viral video, she partnered with a local apparel brand to begin selling Hawk Tuah merchandise, selling over $65,000 worth of it within a couple of weeks. Because of her newfound internet fame, she quit her job at a bed spring factory, in order to pursue other ventures in social media. On July 2, 2024, Welch signed for representation with The Penthouse. That same day, Welch started an official Instagram and TikTok account, amounting over 100,000 followers on Instagram in the span of one day. The following day, July 3, she established her own company, 16 Minutes, whose name is a play on the phrase "15 minutes of fame." Welch also filed for trademarks in apparel and entertainment for her catchphrase. In popular culture On June 29, 2024, Welch joined Zach Bryan on stage during his concert in Nashville, Tennessee to perform Bryan's song 'Revival'. A few days later, Welch joined Shaquille O'Neal during his DJ set in Nashville. After appearing on the PlanBri Uncut podcast, controversy arose after Welch claimed that she would not "hawk tuah" former president Donald Trump, sparking discourse over her political affiliation. During a game between the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals, Braves play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin used Welch's "hawk tuah" quip during a live broadcast.
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