Hailey Welch, famously known as the ‘Hawk Tuah Girl,’ recently opened up about her rapid rise to internet fame and the unsettling experiences that followed. In an engaging conversation with Brianna Lapaglia on the July 1 episode of the Plan Bri Uncut podcast, Welch shared her thoughts on the viral moment that transformed her life.
The video that skyrocketed Welch to fame featured her in a candid street interview where she described a sexual act as “hawk tuah.” The clip quickly went viral, turning her into an internet sensation. However, Welch revealed that this was not the kind of recognition she desired.
“I don’t really like that to be my image. Like, Hawk Tuah Girl? I just don’t see that being… I don’t want to be known as that,” Welch confessed during the interview.
The 21-year-old’s sudden fame brought with it a slew of social media impersonations. Fake accounts, misspelled names, and misappropriated photos from her friends’ social media pages began to surface. Hailey Welch expressed her discomfort with these impersonations, describing them as “creepy.”
“They started spelling my name wrong and started making accounts of me. They got pictures from my friend’s social media accounts and stuff like that… It’s kind of creepy seeing your face on another account that doesn’t belong to you,” she elaborated.
Interestingly, Welch disclosed that she had already chosen to stay off social media long before the viral clip made waves online. This decision has somewhat shielded her from the direct impact of these fake accounts and online rumors.
During the podcast, Hailey Welch also took the opportunity to clear up some misconceptions about her personal life and profession. Contrary to online rumors, she clarified that she is neither a school teacher nor a bartender.
“I work in a spring factory. I’m not a school teacher,” Welch stated, debunking the false information that suggested she had been dismissed from a teaching job due to the viral video. She further added, “No. I’m not even old enough to be a teacher.”
Welch went on to dispel other rumors, including one that claimed her father is a preacher. “My father is so far from a preacher it’s crazy,” she noted, emphasizing that the information circulating about her on the internet is entirely fabricated.
Looking ahead, Welch is determined to move beyond her “Hawk Tuah Girl” persona. She is leveraging her newfound fame to pursue her dreams and explore new opportunities. Recently, on June 28, she joined country music singer-songwriter Zach Bryan onstage as a special guest during his Nashville concert, where she performed “Revival.”
Hailey Welch’s interview with Brianna Lapaglia sheds light on the often harsh reality of sudden internet fame and the importance of setting the record straight. While her viral moment brought her into the limelight, Welch is eager to redefine her public image and pursue her passions beyond the meme that made her famous.