Haliey Welch, globally recognized as the “hawk tuah girl,” became an internet sensation in mid-2024. However, the viral star, known for her catchy phrase, has largely vanished from the online landscape since late 2024, particularly after her foray into cryptocurrency took a disastrous turn. This sudden disappearance has left many wondering: where is the hawk tuah girl from and what exactly led to her online silence?
Welch’s absence is notable across social media platforms. Her last Instagram post was over a month ago, her Twitter (now X) activity ceased in December, and her podcast, Talk Tuah Podcast, hasn’t released a new episode since early December. This digital ghosting is a stark contrast to her omnipresence just months prior.
The “hawk tuah girl”‘s journey to internet fame began in Nashville, Tennessee. It was during a street interview conducted by TimmandDeeTV in June 2024 that Welch uttered the now-iconic phrase “hawk tuah.” Her spontaneous and humorous response to a question about spitting went viral, catapulting her into the meme stratosphere.
The latter half of 2024 saw Welch capitalize on her newfound fame. She launched merchandise featuring her catchphrase, collaborated on a limited-edition Halloween costume, and started her own podcast. Her “hawk tuah” brand was rapidly expanding.
However, this meteoric rise took a sharp downturn with the launch of her cryptocurrency, $HAWK token. Despite significant hype and initial surges that briefly pushed its market cap to an astonishing $490 million on December 4th, the cryptocurrency plummeted within hours. It lost approximately 95% of its value, resulting in substantial financial losses for investors.
The $HAWK token debacle is believed to be a “rug pull,” a crypto scam where those behind the token artificially inflate the price before abruptly selling off their holdings, leaving other investors with worthless assets. A lawsuit has been filed, targeting OverHere (the platform for $HAWK token), its founder Clinton So, social media influencer Alex Larson Schultz, and the Tuah The Moon Foundation, alleging unlawful promotion and sale of unregistered cryptocurrency.
OverHere has responded, stating they were misled and that an individual known as “Doc Hollywood” had control over key aspects of the token, including fees and finances, and lacked transparency during the market crash. Schultz, allegedly “Doc Hollywood,” has denied these allegations, as reported by International Business Times.
Welch addressed the situation in a Twitter post on December 20th, stating she was taking the matter “extremely seriously” and was cooperating with legal teams to uncover the truth and hold responsible parties accountable. Since then, her public presence has been minimal, seemingly until the legal investigation concludes.
A leaked excerpt from an unreleased podcast episode offered a glimpse into Welch’s emotional state. In the clip, she is seen in tears, discussing the ordeal with FaZe Clan founder Banks, who attempts to comfort her. However, this episode was quickly removed, and Banks publicly criticized Welch’s team, raising questions about the leak’s origin and authorization. Welch has not publicly commented on the leaked podcast.
The controversy has drawn commentary from various online personalities. Joe Rogan, for instance, offered a less than sympathetic perspective on the cryptocurrency failure, while another streamer suggested that Welch’s career might already be “over” due to the scandal.
While the phrase “where is the hawk tuah girl from” initially refers to her geographical origin, the viral interview in Nashville, Tennessee, it now carries a double meaning. It also prompts reflection on the origins of her fame and the current uncertainty surrounding her online presence and future after the cryptocurrency controversy. The internet waits to see if and how the “hawk tuah girl” will re-emerge from her digital silence.
