If you spend a reasonable amount of time online, you’ve probably come across the viral sensation “Hawk Tuah Girl” in the last couple of months. Whether you’re intrigued, confused, or just ignoring the buzz, you’re not alone.
Haliey Welch, also known as the Hawk Tuah Girl, shot to internet fame seemingly overnight thanks to a viral video — and now she’s taking her moment in the spotlight to the next level as The Hawk Tuah Girl’s podcast “Talk Tuah” has become the 3rd Most Popular Podcast on Spotify after The Joe Rogan Experience and The Tucker Carlson Show (naturally, two of America’s go-to shows who have mastered the art of hard-nosed fictional storytelling).
TALK TUAH IS NOW THE #3 PODCAST ON SPOTIFY 😱 @HalieyWelchX / @talktuahpod pic.twitter.com/4UN1DgyxJZ
— betr (@betr) September 24, 2024
How Did the Hawk Tuah Girl Go Viral?
Haliey Welch first gained attention in a viral man-on-the-street interview for Tim & Dee TV, where she was asked, “What’s one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?” Her response? “You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang.” The phrase, which mimics the sound of someone spitting in an old Western saloon, quickly spread like wildfire. People found it hilarious, quirky, and very Southern — which, as it turned out, was a perfect recipe for becoming an overnight viral sensation.
Uncut and unedited clip of Hawk Tuah girlpic.twitter.com/NA82aPtCdB
— Amazing Video (@amazingvideo01) July 7, 2024
What’s the Meaning Behind the “Hawk Tuah”?
“Hawk tuah” is Welch’s playful, PG-13 spin on a sex tip, but it’s the delivery and her Southern charm that made it a sensation. It became a meme overnight, drawing comparisons to past viral moments like “Damn, Daniel.”
As with most viral moments, the internet was quick to monetize. Tim & Dee TV launched a merch line featuring phrases like “If she don’t hawk tuah, I don’t want to talk tuah,” selling hats and T-shirts and Welch herself partnered with Jason Poteete, the owner of Fathead Threads, to sell official Hawk Tuah hats. According to Rolling Stone, more than 2,000 hats were sold just in the first couple of weeks, pulling in at least $65,000 in revenue.
All About Hawk Tuah Girl’s Podcast “Talk Tuah” and Life After Fame
Welch has now turned her moment of fame into a full-fledged career. She has a management team now and has even launched her own podcast called Talk Tuah, which debuted earlier this month.
Produced by Jake Paul’s media company Betr, the show promises to feature a mix of humor, interviews, and Southern charm. Comedian Whitney Cummings appeared as a guest on the first episode of the podcast, while content creator Josh Richards and Jake Paul himself are already lined up to feature in future episodes of the show. Welch sees this as just the beginning of her entertainment career, planning to expand into podcasting and beyond.
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Betr is a sports media and mobile betting company founded by Paul and Joey Levy in 2022. The company’s programming includes BS w/ Jake Paul, Twin Talk with Hanna and Haley Cavinder, Nickals and Dimes from host Bo Nickal and Caps Off from co-hosts Adam Tabatchnick and Jack Parodi.
“This is a major addition to the Betr Media family as we continue to strategically differentiate ourselves in the market,” Betr head of media Mike Denevi said in a statement during the launch of Welch’s podcast. “Haliey Welch is a bona fide superstar, and her charisma, unique perspective and innate connection with her audience make her the perfect fit for our platform. Talk Tuah will bring a fresh and dynamic voice to our content lineup, and we can’t wait for our audience and brand sponsors to connect with Haliey in an authentic way that embodies the ethos of Betr Media as a whole.”
Welch added, “Y’all kept asking, ‘What’s next?’ Well, this is it! I’m so thankful to have my own podcast where you’ll discover the real Haliey Welch. I’m delighted to join the team at Betr who fully gets me. Together, we’re going to introduce the world to Talk Tuah every Tuesday, starting Sept. 10. My show will have a little of everything — great guests, laughs, chitchats about your pets, relationship pointers, sports and, of course, some down-home Southern charm.”
Welch has rightfully and smartly capitalized on her fame, and apart from her weekly top podcast, she has since also appeared onstage with Zach Bryan, amassed more than two and a half million Instagram followers and launched her charitable fund Paws Across America.
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However you feel about the Hawk Tuah Girl, I don’t think there’s anything that sums up America’s current socio-political landscape better than the fact that Welch’s podcast is now the Third Most Popular Podcast on Spotify and above her are Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson.
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