Hawk Tuah Girl Hailey Welch’s Fame is Rapidly Fading

During the quiet, more simple time of June 2024, when America’s biggest concern was which elderly man would be the next president, a viral sensation splashed onto the scene: The Hawk Tuah Girl. On the streets of Nashville, Tennessee, Haliey Welch became famous after being featured in a Tim & Dee TV interview where she shared her catchphrase with the world. Things were about to get a little spicy.

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“What’s one move in bed that makes a man go crazy every time?” the interviewer asked Welch. Her response launched a thousand merchandising ships: “You gotta give ’em that ‘hawk tuah’ and spit on that thang. You get me?” With that, Welch’s viral fame took off. She was quickly compared to previous viral stars like “Damn, Daniel,” but with a much more adult twist. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Welch signed with The Penthouse management team, which moved quickly to capitalize on the moment.

However, despite Welch’s fame starting off strong, the momentum seems to have slowed, leaving many to wonder if she mismanaged her sudden rise to stardom.

In the immediate aftermath of her viral ascent, Haliey Welch signed a deal with Fathead Threads, which claimed to have sold 2,000 “Hawk Tuah” hats within the first two weeks, according to Rolling Stone. Welch spent most of July making podcast appearances, trying to navigate her newfound fame. Irish Star reports that Welch earned $30,000 hosting a bikini contest at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida. Despite this, she seemed to realize the safest bet was to plaster “Hawk Tuah” on everything.

On July 30, TMZ reported that Welch was exploring various business ventures, including a gambling service called “Bet on that Thang” and a line of cooking sauces. The first product was a barbecue sauce dubbed “Hawk Sauce,” and the second a hot sauce appropriately named “Hawk Tuah Sauce.” If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

While Welch has filed a trademark for the “Hawk Tuah” name, other companies have already jumped on the bandwagon, trying to capitalize on the moment. TMZ reports that Welch hopes her brand will have enough staying power to launch a comedy career. In fact, Welch received some unexpected advice from an industry veteran.

On July 28, Bill Maher interviewed Haliey Welch on his Club Random Podcast. Maher’s interest in Welch already raised eyebrows given his history of attending Playboy Mansion parties, and he certainly delivered on the awkward moments. By this time, Welch’s viral fame was waning, so Maher offered her advice on how to keep the momentum going. Naturally, his advice was less than wholesome.

“You need to do a podcast, you do it right here on Club Random, if you do it my way, sex expert,” Maher told a surprised Welch (via Newsweek). “You were given the chip of fame, now you want to trade that in for something that uses that but takes it to the next level. You have to trade on what you’re already known for. That’s the one thing you’re known for.”

Maher was so confident in his pitch that he advised Welch against wasting her trademark on fleeting products. Despite her discomfort at Maher’s advice, Welch decided to push forward with “Hawk Tuah Sauce” and appears set on riding this thing out to the end. Thanks, Bill.