Over the past week, social media feeds have been buzzing with posts about someone known as "Hawk Tuah Girl".
While some may have initially brushed off any mentions of "Hawk Tuah", the sheer popularity and wide reach of the reference has people clamoring to know exactly who the Hawk Tuah girl is, and the rumors surrounding her.
Who is the "Hawk Tuah Girl"?
The Hawk Tuah Girl is actually a young woman named Hailey Welch, who has quickly gained Internet stardom after appearing in a man-on-the-street interview by creators Tim & Dee TV.
In the video, first shared on June 11, she was asked the provocative question: “What’s one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?”
Her unabashed response instantly became the catalyst for her viral fame.
Describing the move as “Hawk Tuah,” Welch humorously compared it to the sound of spitting into a spittoon, albeit in a sexual context.
"You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang. You get me?" she said.
While the words may sound simple and somewhat juvenile just written down, they really don't capture the charisma radiating off of Welch. Just check out the video below:
Her unexpected and comical response quickly captured the attention of social media users. A quick search of "Hawk Tuah Girl" on nearly every social media platform will show you videos that are well into the millions of views.
Since then, Welch's newfound catchphrase has permeated online discourse, drawing reactions and references from notable figures like Joe Rogan, Howard Stern, and even Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Did the Hawk Tuah Girl lose her job?
Following her newfound fame, the context of her catchphrase, and the fact that people on social media seemingly love getting people fired these days over anything they don't agree with, there has since been a circulating rumor that Welch has been fired from her job.
The rumor that Welch lost her job was sparked by the Tippah County Tribune (TCT), who shared an article on its Facebook page claiming that the "Hawk Tuah Girl" was actually a woman named Hailey Wellington, a 23-year-old teacher at Epstein Day School.
The article claims that this teacher was allegedly forced to resign due to a viral video where children imitated her saying "spit on that thang," leading to inappropriate behavior among students.
Despite TCT's claim going viral - later quoted in TikTok videos and other social media posts - Snopes has since clarified that the publication is known for satire, aiming to simply entertain.
So, no. The "Hawk Tuah Girl" was not fired from her job.
How has the Hawk Tuah Girl reacted to her viral fame?
Welch has since responded to her sudden fame by teaming up with Fathead Threads, a family-owned business based in Marshall County, Tennessee.
Jason Poteete, the proprietor, shared with Rolling Stone that Welch has been "overwhelmed" by the all the attention she's receiving, adding that she prefers not to disclose personal details or have her face featured on merchandise associated with her viral fame.
Explaining why he wanted to launch a line of merchandise on behalf of Welch, Poteete added: “Of course she hasn’t gotten a dime from the first viral video that went out.
"Nobody was asking permission for her to do nothing, neither. I just wanted her to get some profit off of this deal."
Poteete when on to describe Welch as potentially one of the most recognizable figures on the planet (at the moment), but he added: "I don’t know if she’s embraced it."
At Fathead Threads, they are currently selling hats bearing the slogan 'Hawk Tuah ’24' for $32.78 each, with signed versions available at $50. The merchandise has been quite popular, with Poteete estimating sales of over 2,000 hats, bringing in approximately $65,000 so far.
So, the good news about all of this is that Welch is getting that coin, and we finally all know once and for all the move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time.
