Topline
Haliey Welch, the woman who achieved internet fame this summer for her sexually explicit “hawk tuah” catchphrase, has turned her viral moment into a successful podcasting venture as her new “Talk Tuah” show ranks in the top five on Spotify’s top podcast chart.
Key Facts
“Talk Tuah” has aired four episodes since it premiered on Sept. 10 and ranks ahead of popular shows like the New York Times’ news show “The Daily,” Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” and various true crime podcasts.
Welch’s podcast only ranks behind Joe Rogan’s “Joe Rogan Experience,” which has been Spotify’s biggest podcast for the past four years, as well as conservative political shows hosted by Tucker Carlson, Shawn Ryan and Candace Owens.
On her podcast, Welch discusses her overnight rise to fame and hosts famous guests, who have so far included country singer Dasha and “The Bachelor” star Kaitlyn Bristowe.
Welch launched her podcast under Betr, a media company founded by boxer and social media personality Jake Paul, which also houses his podcast, “BS with Jake Paul.”
Key Background
Welch’s “hawk tuah” phrase became an instantly viral meme in June when she was interviewed by TikTok user @DMarloww, who asks questions to passersby on the street. He asked her what “move in bed makes a man go crazy,” prompting Welch to say: “You gotta give him that ‘hawk tuah.’” The phrase was instantly mimicked and remixed by users on TikTok, and the #hawktuah hashtag has been used in more than 250,000 posts to date. Within two weeks of her viral interview, Welch said she had already sold thousands of hats bearing the “hawk tuah” phrase.
How Has Welch Kept Her Internet Fame Going?
Welch, a 21-year-old from the small town of Belfast, Tennessee, maintained her fame in the weeks since her viral TikTok moment, with a series of high-profile appearances and social media activity. She created an Instagram account in July, which now has 2.6 million followers, and has posted pictures with Matt Rife and JoJo Siwa. She appeared onstage with country singer Zach Bryan in June, threw out the first pitch at a New York Mets game in August and was parodied in a Saturday Night Live sketch last weekend, in which she was portrayed by Chloe Fineman. She signed to an agent in Nashville and founded a company, 16 Minutes LLC, under which she has registered trademarks for merchandise. Welch also sells “Talk Tuah” merch, including hoodies and hats with phrases like “‘Talk Tuah’ Changed My Life” and “‘Talk Tuah’ ‘24.” Welch also said on Instagram she launched a foundation, Paws Across America, to raise funds and awareness for animal welfare charities. She has since posted several Instagram videos at various animal shelters, urging followers to make donations.
Tangent
Marquette University journalism professor Patrick Johnson told Fast Company that Welch may be benefitting from a boom in the conservative podcasting space, even though Welch’s podcast is not about politics and she has not stated her political views. He said she is a “southern belle who is very visibly someone that conservatives would code as one of their own,” and she has a “shock jock edge to her that conservatives love.”
‘Hawk Tuah Girl’ found a familiar path to viral fame. What happens now? (Washington Post)
‘Talk Tuah’ is expanding the conservative podcasting bubble (Fast Company)
‘Hawk Tuah’ Meme Explained: How Woman In Viral Interview Made A Reported $65,000 And Prompted TikTok Craze (Forbes)
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